Lemon Balm

 Working with the plants I have in abundance here at Creekside Farm is my first priority. Each plant must be identified and researched, then tested using the research I have to work with. Lemon Balm, a cousin to the extraordinary mint family, is one such plant. 

One of the properties I have always admired in Lemon Balm is the Lemon Pledge smell it puts off whenever it is agitated. I have not seen Lemon Pledge, a furniture polish, on the grocery shelf for a very long time, but the smell of lemon Balm always takes me back to my childhood where my mother used the stuff. 

Generally speaking:  Lemon balm is called Melissa Officinalis. The literal translation of this scientific name is bee honey used pharmaceutically.  This is a member of the Mint family and other plants of this family include many herbal medicinal plants. The leaves are heart shaped and have a lemony scent when crushed of disturbed. The serrated edge makes finding this plant in the garden fairly easy.  Lemon Balm is used as a food flavoring, but it is also considered a medicinal plant with many sedative and calming effects.

Lemon balm contains chemicals that seem to have a sedative and calming effect. It might also reduce the growth of some viruses and bacteria. People use lemon balm for cold sore, anxiety, stress, insomnia, indigestion, and Dementia, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

• Hot water extracts have antiviral properties. 
• Creams containing extracts proven effective for cutaneous lesions of the Herpes simplex virus. 
• Aqueous extracts inhibit cell division of tumor cells; 
• Spirits of Melissa demonstrated effective in psychiatric disorders.

Extracting Lemon Balm

Tincture of Lemon Balm is called Spirits of Melissa and this is made using the Tincture method of alcohol extraction. But unlike many tinctures Sprits of Mellissa are of limited use, primarily as a psychiatric supplement. 

Salve Jar

Lemon Balm Salve can be made at home using just a few simple ingredients and is quite useful as a skin treatment for skin lesions, herpes sores, and skin rashes. It is said that this salve may have an effect of skin cancer cells, but there is little research on this effect.

To make about two cups of salve you will need:

• 4 cups of dried lemon balm leaves
• 1 cup of coconut oil (or Bees Wax)
• 1 cup of olive oil (or Shea Butter)
• A clean cheesecloth

Salve Tin

Place the lemon balm leaves and olive oil in a food processor or blender and pulse until they're finely chopped, then transfer the mixture to a double boiler over a small saucepan on low heat. Infuse for 2 hours on low heat, then strain through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Clean the pot used to infuse the mixture and clean it before putting the infusion back in. Over a low heat add the coconut oil and stir until the beeswax has melted completely. The salve will remain soft, but will change as it cools so pouring the mixture into a salve container of jar while it is hot is a good idea. Keep this salve in a cool dark place and it should last for at least six to eight months.