We’ve fallen in love with something special here that has a collection of amazing and somewhat eclectic benefits that include calming, boosting your immunity and a healthy dose of antioxidants for you and your skin.
What is Lemon balm?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is a perennial herb which embodies a gentle, lemony fragrance. This herb holds an abundance of benefits which have been widely used in Ancient Greece, over 2,000 years ago, to modern day England and North America.
Not only is lemon balm a sweet addition to your herb garden, but it is also a great complement to have in your herbal medicine cabinet. We are excited to feature this wonderful herb and its many internal, external, and creative do-it-yourself uses!
Lemon balm benefits
Within this balmy beauty lies a myriad of internal benefits. In fact, lemon balm has so many nutritive properties, we will highlight it’s most common uses.
Lemon balm for well being
The effects of lemon balm also help to relieve an over active mind and provide a sense of overall balance.
Lemon balm for immunity
Another amazing property of lemon balm is its ability to boost the immune system. It is very rich in caffeic and rosmarinic acids
Being that lemon balm is cleansing in nature, it contains an array of topical uses as well, providing wonderful properties for our skin. These include:
Calming
Lemon balm is a rich source of eugenol and tannins.
Antioxidant rich
What makes this herb a wonderful addition in skin care products? It’s ability to protect against environmental stressors. The caffeic and ferulic acid, which are present within this plant are potent antioxidants.
We have included lemon balm in several of Annmarie Skin Care products including the Aloe Herb Cleanser, Citrus Mint Cleanser, and our Herbal Facial Oil for Normal / Combination skin. Give them a try to receive the powerful antioxidants this beneficial plant has to offer!
Bug repellent
When it comes to pesky bug bites in the great outdoors, lemon balm serves as a natural bug repellent. It contains very high levels of an essential oil called citronellal, which helps to keep bugs at bay.
A quick and easy repellant is to crush a handful of lemon balm leaves in your hand and rub directly all over your skin, avoiding the face. If you spend a lot of time in your backyard where there may be mosquitos or other bugs, it would be wise to grow a small patch of it.
Lemon balm also attracts bees and butterflies, helping to pollinate your garden!