10 Amazing Lemon Balm Benefits, Uses and Medicinal Value

Lemon balm benefits for health are well known as it is one wonder fruit which has proven its worth in a myriad of uses in our everyday lives. A glass of fresh and chilled lemonade on a hot and humid sunny afternoon and the same lemon can be used in hair pack to get rid of dandruff. Use it for cleaning the sediments or grime in bathroom tiles or add few drop of its juice to clean the sugar syrup. From kitchen to bathroom and beauty to food, its utility is beyond questioning. Lemon balm, however, is not same as a lemon. It belongs to the mint family. Some of its common names are Balm, Dropsy Plant, Honey Plant, Melissa officinalis,  common balm, Balm Mint, Sweet Balm, Sweet Mary, Toronjil. But in usage, this herb comes really close to lemon. Here are some top 10 health benefits of lemon balm leaves.

1. Lemon balm tea for Anxiety and Insomnia

Life today is full of stress and indiscipline, which takes a direct toll on our health. Sleep disorders are just one of many. Lemon balm leaves can be dried and used as tea leaves. This infusion brewed along with other herbs like valerian and chamomile acts as a great agent to induce sleep.

2. Digestive Disorders

Upset stomach, bloating, heartburn, irritation in the gastrointestinal tract and indigestion has become an integral part of modern life owing to the erratic food habit both in terms of diet and timing. Lemon balm tea can treat these problems organically. It is also used in a commercial drug Iberogast known for treating flatulence, heartburn and colic pain.

3. Muscle Pains

It is a wonderful remedy for flu and accompanying discomforts like body ache, cramps, and muscle pain. A cup of lemon balm tea helps you sweat and along with the sweat, fever-causing toxins are discarded.

4. Skin Care

Lemon balm is a rich source of natural astringent. If you have oily skin, do away with those chemicals and adopt lemon balm essential oil. Dab a clean cotton in this oil and cleanse your skin with it. Clogged skin pores would be cleaned and there will be no more pimples, rashes, and acne.

5. Oral Infection

Oral infection can cause bad breath and bleeding gums. Lemon balm can help you out in this embarrassing as well as painful situation. Add few drops of lemon balm essential oil in mouthwash and gargle with it. It will kill the bacteria in your mouth, stop their growth and freshen up your mouth.

6. Immunity

Antibacterial properties of components like caffeic and rosmarinic acid present in lemon balm promote the growth of healthy cells which boosts your immunity.

7. Diminishes Damages of Radiation

Chemo and radiation as a cancer treatment have their own side effects, plasma DNA damage being one of them. Intake of lemon balm supplement can counter this.

8. Dementia

Regular intake of lemon balm in any form can boost memory. It can be given to the patients with dementia and memory loss for a faster recovery. It can even calm the agitated Alzheimer's patient.

9. Cold Sores

Lemon balm based ointment can treat cold sores caused by herpes. It can also treat HSV 1 and 2 infections.

10. Healthy Brain Cells

Being rich in antioxidants, it detains those free radicals that attack healthy brain cells. Rosmarinic acid present in lemon balm ensures regular blood supply to the brain.