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It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile conditions. In many climates, lemon balm has escaped cultivation and can be found in hedgerows, abandoned homesites, vacant lots, and in urban and disturbed areas.
Lemon balm continues to be grown extensively in the home garden and herb garden. It is also excellent for growing to feed honeybees. It is grown commercially for its extracts, aromatic oil, for flavoring, and medicine. It is also commonly grown in Australia and New Zealand. It has since been naturalized throughout the world and can be found throughout North America. Lemon balm originated in central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean basin, Iran, and Asia. The use of lemon balm as complementary and herbal medicine continues to the present day. It was also found to ease digestion, nausea, sleep disorders, depression, and headaches, among many others. Melissa officinalis is reported to possess sedative, antistress, antianxiety, and mood-enhancing abilities. The list of medicinal usage and properties of lemon balm is extensive. It was thought to be restorative and promote vitality while also helping to improve mood. During the Middle Ages, lemon balm is noted by herbalists, philosophers, and scientists. By the 7 th century, lemon balm was commonly domesticated throughout Europe, after it was formally introduced to Spain. Lemon balm’s medicinal usage is mentioned as far back as 300 BC in Historia Plantarum, written by Greek native, Theophrastus, a successor of Aristotle. It is especially important for pollinating insects including many kinds of bees and other beneficials in the garden. It has been used in medicine, food, skincare, and perfumery. Lemon Balm’s use goes back over 2000 years. It has since spread or naturalized throughout the world. Although both are of the mint family, Monardas are native to North America while Melissa officinalis or Lemon Balm originated in central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean, Iran, and central Asia. It is important to note, actual bee balm, (Monarda spp), is a different plant. and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Balm (Melissa officinalis), also known as a honey balm or bee balm is a vigorous aromatic plant from the mint family.
If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on .Į does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under. It has been shown to enhance the memory quality yet (possibly due to its sedative effects) it reduces quantititatively how many memories are formed and the rate thereof.Ĭurrently, Lemon Balm appears to be supported for inducing calmness and relaxation but other claims may need more research.Į is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Overall, the cognitive enhancing properties of Lemon Balm appear to be somewhat overhyped. We currently have one study suggesting that the anxiety-reducing properties can help people who have anxiety-related insomnia but beyond that most sleep research is confounded with Valerian as the two are theoretically (not yet demonstrated) additive or synergistic.
Theoretically, calmness inducing agents should also help in sleep. Only one study looked at contentment, but found no influence. This may also manifest itself in a negative manner as healthy persons who take Lemon Balm prior to a cognitive test appear to score worse than placebo on reaction time and memory formation (possibly related to sedation) while improving the quality of memories (amount of correct memories formed, rather than 'remembering' something that didn't happen). In regards to its subjective cognitive effects, it appears to be effective in inducing calmness. It is said to calm the nerves and to relax the body. Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) is a herb that has traditionally been used for a variety of cognitive purposes, most of which are centered around improving cognition and reducing stress and anxiety.