Lemon balm benefits, uses and how to make your tea

Lemon balm has several benefits for the body. It is used in several treatments and above all it is very easy to find.

Lemon balm is also known as lemon balm or just lemon balm. However, it is widely used in traditional and alternative medicine, and even in cooking.

Lemon balm is native to southern Europe. Above all, it belongs to the mint and boldo family. Furthermore, it is often confused with lemongrass (or lemongrass), but its properties are very different, although both are very good for your health.

In this sense, its leaves are larger and lighter than those of mint, and it is widely used internally as a sedative and digestive, and even externally, such as to treat cold sores.

Properties of lemon balm

This herb is very rich in polyphenols, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid and, above all, stands out for its antioxidant action. In addition, it has several phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids – antioxidant rosmarinic acid, citral caffeic acid and eugenol acetate. All of these substances basically contribute to the powerful antioxidant action of lemon balm. To give you an idea, only rosmarinic acid already has greater antioxidant activity than vitamin E.

Benefits

Reduces stomach pain

Many stomach problems such as poor digestion and gastritis can be caused by stress, as well as nervousness and anxiety. Therefore, the calming effect of lemon balm is good for the digestive tract. Because when the body is relaxed, digestion becomes easier and helps prevent gastric diseases.

Respiratory system

It fights coughs and is also an ally in the treatment of diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.

Reduces gases

Lemon balm helps reduce gas production, and this occurs due to the food’s ability to relax tissues.

Lowers blood pressure

Be that as it may, according to some studies, lemon balm helps reduce blood pressure because it provides mild vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels.

Reduces bad cholesterol

According to some research, the strong antioxidant action of lemon balm would help reduce bad cholesterol levels, LDL. Thus, the herb could prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Colic relief

Furthermore, the relaxing effect of this plant is more powerful than one might think, as it helps to relax even the muscles and tissues of the body, thus relaxing the uterus and reducing contractions.

Calming effect

Above all, this plant has a calming action, helping with symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. That’s why it’s so common to drink lemon balm tea when you have insomnia and have difficulty sleeping.

Contraindications

Firstly, people who have thyroid problems and who take medication should avoid drinking tea. Furthermore, women who are breastfeeding, children under 12 years of age, patients who suffer from high blood pressure and hypothyroidism and/or who use antidepressants and other sedative medications should avoid consuming lemon balm.

Recommended quantity

The guideline is basically to ingest between 1 and 4 grams of leaves for every 150 ml of water. It is possible to ingest it between two and three times a day. Therefore, a person should not ingest more than 12 grams of lemon balm leaves per day or exceed 450 ml of tea.

Lemon balm side effects

Excessive consumption of lemon balm can cause some side effects, such as decreased heart rate and drowsiness, especially in people who suffer from hypersensitivity.

How to consume lemon balm?

Whatever the case, without a doubt the best way to consume lemon balm is in the form of infused tea. Learning how to make this tea is very easy and you don’t need many ingredients.

Lemon balm with lemon

You will need:

• 1 liter of water;
• 30 grams of lemon balm leaves and flowers;
• A few drops of lemon.

Way of doing:

Bring the water to the boil and, after boiling, turn off and add the herbs. Leave the container warm for about 12 minutes.

Then, strain the drink and squeeze a few drops of lemon into the tea. Try to take it three times a day.

Lemon balm with mint

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon of lemon balm leaves;
• 1/5 cup of fresh mint tea;
• 1 liter of water.

Way of doing:

First of all, boil the water and then add the mint and lemon balm leaves. Leave the container warm until it warms and strain. Finally serve without sugar.

Did you know? Despite being used as a tea recipe, lemon balm can also be used as a cosmetic, salad dressing and even in liqueurs.

Did you like the content? read also: Teas for flu – 7 natural recipes to end the disease

Sources: Earth, Your Health, My Life

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