lemon balm
melissa officinalis
DELICIOUS DIVINITY TO TAKE THE EDGE OFF.
Lemon balm is lit up by a crisp, clean citrus flavor that makes for a bright, refreshing & rejuvenating drink, a great gateway herb for anyone with taste buds, including kids.
Lemon balm possesses a supreme ability to calm the nervous system without sedating it; in a stressed, scattered, anxious mind, it will quell overstimulation, replacing it with focus, clarity & peace. A simple cup of tea can quell anxiety for several hours. In someone suffering from depression or seasonal affective disorder, it can elevate the mood. The aromatic essential oils that provide its distinctive lemony scent & flavor have potent balancing effects on a cellular level, cultivating a tranquil, yet alert state of mind. Daily, longterm use results in a reduction of chronic stress.
This potent ability to dispel tension in the nerves and the mind makes lemon balm an effective, but gentle remedy for relieving confusion caused by dementia. These same qualities that help us switch gears from sympathetic to parasympathetic make LB a great ally for fussy kids too.
As always, nausea & poor digestion caused by a nervous system on high alert can also benefit from lemon balms calming capabilities.
The volatile oils present in lemon balm help to prevent viral replication in the body, making it an exceptionally safe yet effective tool when navigating the flu, a cold, or even herpes.
We get our bright bounty from Zack Woods Herb Farm, in Hyde Park, VT.*
F I N D I T I N :
{ an herbal electuary }
Green gold is our bright & nourishing mineral-rich infused herbal honey. Queen of preservation since the days of old, honey encapsulates with supreme integrity the nutrients, vitamins, minerals & flavor found in plant material. Use a teaspoon in hot water instead of a teabag, on toast, or by the spoonful.
{ zack woods herb farm nettle, lemon balm, tulsi & peppermint in brigham apiaries raw honey }
{ nourishing nervine oxymel }
Unrivaled champion of the nerves & adrenals, silky milky oat seed stars in this cast of merry men, accompanied by dusky tulsi, the potent adaptogen, & gladdening nervine lemon balm to deliver {as Robin Hood did} soothing support to the stressed & depleted. Relish daily as is, pair with spirits for a sublime cocktail or add to water: sparkling or still. Shake well before sipping. Steal from the rich & give to the poor, or at the very least, TAX THE RICH.
{ zack woods herb farm milky oat tops & lemon balm with children of the night rainbow tulsi in side hill cider mill raw barrel-aged apple cider vinegar & brigham apiaries raw honey }
