Lemon Balm (Melissa)

In honor of my sister Melissa coming for a visit, and the full moon on Saturday we’re spending some time with Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis.

Due to a particularly dry summer in Montana, my Lemon Balm isn’t as luscious as it normally is. Also, it is September, I should’ve harvested quite some time ago. Alas, here we are, and I’m not missing the opportunity to love on the plant, even if she’s near the end of her season.

This is the tiniest flower that remained on one of the plants, and our dog Balloon. Turns out he doesn’t like Lemon Balm. When they are in bloom, each of these little pots, in the second image, contains one of those sweet white flowers.

What do we use Lemon Balm for in our family?

Lemon balm has so many medicinal properties and it is a perennial. I love knowing I’ll have access to it each year. It is a gentle herb, similar to Camomile, so it can be administered safely with kiddos and pets.

We use it when we feel colds and flu approaching. Drinking a cup of tea or in tincture form are both great, but the herb is said to lose potency fairly quickly, so the fresher, the better. We also use it as a digestive aid, for a nervous tummy or cramps and gas. It is a lovely pain reliever. It is chock full of anti-oxidants.

I’ve struggled on an off for a handful of years with vertigo, and I’ve found that Melissa really helps me when I’m in the midst of a bout.

Melissa is a calmer, soother and we use it when we’re feeling restless or agitated. It is also really uplifting, like any citrus smell, so I drink a cup of tea to jack up my mood a smidge.

I keep this herb in essential oil form on hand, it is extra concentrated and a little bit goes a long way.

The full moon tea I plan to make, and my desire to harvest Lemon Balm, correlated beautifully. I got the tea recommendation from my ‘The Spirit of Herbs’ Tarot book. The Moon card features Lemon Balm.

Moon tea is made instead of a sun tea (although Lemon Balm makes a lovely sun tea).

Moon Tea Recipe

To make it: I plan to place about 1/2 oz of Lemon Balm in a glass quart jar, fill it with water and leave it under the full moon, on the earth, overnight. I’ll strain and drink my tea in the morning.

Here is our Lemon Balm video for those of you that prefer to watch to learn.

Take care and holler if you’d like me to order some Melissa essential oil for you. Or visit our oil shop!