Lemon Balm Tea
How grateful we should all be for the beautiful world we all inhabit, for nature has been so kind to us, growing all the plants that can ultimately make us better whatever the ailment!
Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family, yet its individual taste is of a lemony mint assortment. The botanical name is Melissa which happens to be Greek for ‘bee’.
The ancient Greeks introduced Lemon Balm to the Arabians and it was a highly valued plant used by their alchemists for hundreds of years and because of its value, the Arabians grew the herb as a cash crop in trade maybe as long ago as the 9th or 10th century. It is recorded that during the 10th century it was introduced to the Europeans and has been used for around 2000 years.
Paracelus claimed that this herb could completely revitalise the body, calling it the elixir of life. Also, the French king, Charles V, apparently drank Lemon Balm tea everyday to stay in good health.
During the 16th century Lemon Balm was rubbed onto the beehives to give extra encouragement to the bees to produce their honey.
Records show that in the 17th century the Carmelite nuns combined lemon balm with lemon peel, nutmeg coriander and angelica root to make the famous Carmelite water. The nuns used their remedy to treat nervous headaches and neuralgia.
The herbal writers have praised the virtues of Carmelite water up to this present day. Why? For dispelling melancholy and aromatherapy individuals, use it to aid depression.
How can Lemon Balm help you in a medicinal way? It has been used as a tranquiliser because it calms a nervous stomach, colic or heart spasms. The leaves of this herb can also lower blood pressure and due to its gentle yet effective curability, it is offered to babies and children.
Lemon Balm has anti-histamine qualities and is beneficial for using on eczema, headaches. Try a hand me down remedy by placing a fresh leaf on insect bites and wounds.because Lemon Balm is anti-viral, drinking the tea can be very beneficial should you be feeling a bit below par. The hot tea brings on sweating therefore ideal for relieving cold symptoms. Use it for cold sores, it works a treat.
Lets get down to the nitty gritty of how to make Lemon Balm tea.
Making Lemon Balm Tea
Choose a gorgeous teapot to suit your sensibilities which has a inbuilt sieve to allow you to steep together with a matching cup and saucer.
Use either fresh or dried Lemon Balm
Boiling water dependant on how many are drinking.
If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add honey, or other herbs.
When making the tea you can use either fresh or dried Lemon Balm leaves. Home grown or healthy shops are the best option. Obviously if you grow you own avoid spraying any chemicals on the plant.
2 teaspoons of fresh Lemon Balm or 1 teaspoon of dried Lemon Balm, place in teapot fill with boiling water (this is for one person)
How long you steep depends on how strong you want you tea. Obviously, the longer you steep the more intense the flavour. As a guide try between 5-10 minutes, any longer and it will go cold.
To dry Lemon Balm, cut stems from the plant and hand them in bunches in cool dark place. When fully dried separate them from the stems and crumple them into a bag, making sure it is sealed, then through away the stems.
The choice is yours whether you use the whole leaf, or cut the leaf to release more of the oil going into the water.
How grateful we should all be for the beautiful world we all inhabit, for nature has been so kind to us, growing all the plants that can ultimately make us better whatever the ailment!
Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family, yet its individual taste is of a lemony mint assortment. The botanical name is Melissa which happens to be Greek for ‘bee’.
The ancient Greeks introduced Lemon Balm to the Arabians and it was a highly valued plant used by their alchemists for hundreds of years and because of its value, the Arabians grew the herb as a cash crop in trade maybe as long ago as the 9th or 10th century. It is recorded that during the 10th century it was introduced to the Europeans and has been used for around 2000 years.
Paracelus claimed that this herb could completely revitalise the body, calling it the elixir of life. Also, the French king, Charles V, apparently drank Lemon Balm tea everyday to stay in good health.
During the 16th century Lemon Balm was rubbed onto the beehives to give extra encouragement to the bees to produce their honey.
Records show that in the 17th century the Carmelite nuns combined lemon balm with lemon peel, nutmeg coriander and angelica root to make the famous Carmelite water. The nuns used their remedy to treat nervous headaches and neuralgia.
The herbal writers have praised the virtues of Carmelite water up to this present day. Why? For dispelling melancholy and aromatherapy individuals, use it to aid depression.
How can Lemon Balm help you in a medicinal way? It has been used as a tranquiliser because it calms a nervous stomach, colic or heart spasms. The leaves of this herb can also lower blood pressure and due to its gentle yet effective curability, it is offered to babies and children.
Lemon Balm has anti-histamine qualities and is beneficial for using on eczema, headaches. Try a hand me down remedy by placing a fresh leaf on insect bites and wounds.
Because Lemon Balm is anti-viral, drinking the tea can be very beneficial should you be feeling a bit below par. The hot tea brings on sweating therefore ideal for relieving cold symptoms. Use it for cold sores, it works a treat.
Lets get down to the nitty gritty of how to make Lemon Balm tea.
Making Lemon Balm Tea
Choose a gorgeous teapot to suit your sensibilities which has a inbuilt sieve to allow you to steep together with a matching cup and saucer.
Use either fresh or dried Lemon Balm
Boiling water dependant on how many are drinking.
If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add honey, or other herbs.
When making the tea you can use either fresh or dried Lemon Balm leaves. Home grown or healthy shops are the best option. Obviously if you grow you own avoid spraying any chemicals on the plant.
2 teaspoons of fresh Lemon Balm or 1 teaspoon of dried Lemon Balm, place in teapot fill with boiling water (this is for one person)
How long you steep depends on how strong you want you tea. Obviously, the longer you steep the more intense the flavour. As a guide try between 5-10 minutes, any longer and it will go cold.
To dry Lemon Balm, cut stems from the plant and hand them in bunches in cool dark place. When fully dried separate them from the stems and crumple them into a bag, making sure it is sealed, then through away the stems.
The choice is yours whether you use the whole leaf, or cut the leaf to release more of the oil going into the water.
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My name is Nina Bagnall, author of various books for women. I am a firm believer in natural alternatives for healing mind, body and soul. Our bodies are not only unique but are most definitely a miracle to be proud of.
Born and raised in Staffordshire England, educated at a private convent school.
Most people have problems, but, it’s the solutions that make the difference. These books are the answers.
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