This tincture of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaf is made with fresh leaves.

SUGGESTED USE:
60 drops, 2-3 times per day in juice or water.

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

Certified Organic Grain alcohol.

CONCENTRATION:
1:5, 25-35% Alcohol

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Lemon balm is generally considered very safe and is a favorite herb for children. It can lower thyroid function, however, which is beneficial in some cases but not for those with a hypothyroid condition.

HOW TO MEASURE OUR TINCTURES: 

Suggested doses are given in drops. However, for easy dosing, you may want to use the guidelines below:

Droppers: If a dropper were immersed in a tincture bottle and the bulb squeezed twice, the number of drops in the pipette for most given tinctures will be approximately 30 drops.

Note: These are only averages. More viscous (thicker) tinctures will produce fewer, and bigger, drops.

Teaspoons: There are approximately 120 drops in 1 teaspoon (approximately 4 droppersful).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Family

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Etymology

Melissa, the genus name, derives from the Greek melisso-phyllum, "bee leaf," in reference to the flower being a favorite of bees. The species name, officinalis, is Latin and means that the plant has long been an official herb of the apothecaries.   

Range of Appearance

Lemon balm, a perennial native to Europe but widely cultivated in North America, prefers to grow in disturbed areas and open woods. The plant grows to about 2 feet in height and has a four-sided stem. Its lemon-scented leaves are opposite, oval, pointed, and round-toothed. The light yellow, white, or lavender flowers are borne on auxiliary stems. The herb thrives in full sun to partial shade, needs only moderate watering, and prefers well-drained soil. Bees love it; growing lemon balm in the garden will help attract them to the garden. Lemon balm will also repel many pests from the garden.

Parts Used

Aboveground plant

Physiological Effects

Antibacterial, antidepressant, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, aromatic, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogoue, febrifuge, hypotensive (mild), nervine, parturient, rejuvenative, sedative, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator

Culinary Uses

Lemon balm is certainly edible. The chopped leaves are used to season many dishes and as a garnish. The dried leaves are not as flavorful as the fresh, so use the fresh plant whenever possible. The tea made from the fresh leaves is flavorful and refreshing, with a lemon scent. The herb can be steeped for ten minutes or longer, as it does not become bitter with longer steeping. Lemon balm tea is lovely hot or iced and is suitable for daily use. It goes well with the addition of mint or a squeeze of lime.

Other Uses

Lemon balm is used to make Eau des Carmes, a reviving wine made by the Carmelites and dating from the seventeenth century. It was once used as a strewing herb. The leaves are rubbed on wood to produce a lovely shine. Beekeepers rub lemon balm inside hives to attract new bees and keep established ones home.

Constituents

Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, essential oils (citral, linalool, eugenol, citronellal, geraniol), tannins (catechin), bitter principle, resin, flavonoids (polyphenols), succinic acid, rosmarinic acid

Plant details were provided by iPlant by Brigitte Mars.

https://brigittemars.com/iplant-app/