Melissa

Melissa is a medicinal plant whose healing properties have been known to mankind since ancient times. In German, the name of this plant sounds like Citronelle, Bienekraut, Honigblatt or Herzkraut, in English - like lemon balm, and in French - like baume, melisse or citronelle.

Melissa bush grows up to 90 cm in height. The stem is branched, covered with down. The leaves are bright green, rounded, serrated along the edges. The flowers are small, pale blue or pale lilac. The fruits of the plant are small oblong black nuts.

• Lemon. It has a slight lemon scent. This species can be distinguished by the leaves - the upper part is covered with fluff, and a deep groove lies in the middle. It is eaten only fresh.
• Purple, gold. The leaves are pubescent, shaped like elongated hearts. The flowers are dark red. This species has a spicy, citrus aroma.
• Red. This species has the aroma of bergamot. Differs in leaves pointed at the ends and bright red inflorescences.

Today, lemon balm grows almost all over the world, but the Mediterranean is considered the birthplace of this plant. The largest number is grown in Europe, the USA, North Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus. In Russia, this herb is cultivated in the Krasnodar Territory and in the Samara Region.

Melissa grows mainly in shady places - next to forests, in ravines and gorges.

Depending on the species, lemon balm is harvested before flowering or when the flowers have already blossomed. This should be done in dry, sunny weather, as moisture adversely affects the properties of the plant.

Collect usually leaves and tops. Then the grass is laid out in bags made of natural fabric and kept in them until completely dry.

You can store it in the same bags in a dry, dark place.

Melissa can be bought from a stall in the market or in the supermarket, in the department with fresh herbs. The main selection criterion is the smell, it must be strong and saturated. Also pay attention to the appearance of the grass. It should be fresh, juicy, not damaged by diseases or insects.

• spicy, fresh aroma with lemon notes;
• bitter taste;
• bright green color.

Nutritional value and calorie content per 100 grams of product

Vitamins: PP, B9, B6, B1, B2, C and A.

Minerals:

• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Potassium

• has a general strengthening effect on the body;
• beneficial effect on the cerebral vessels;
• helps to get rid of bad breath;
• has a tonic effect;
• normalizes appetite;
• relieves pain;
• helps with various nervous conditions;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• removes excess fluid from the body;
• produces an antiviral effect.

Watch the next video of the program "Live great!". You will learn a lot of interesting things about the properties and uses of lemon balm.

• you can not use it externally if the skin has damage or inflammation;
• decoction with lemon balm slows down the reaction, so it is better to take it before bedtime;
• enhances the effect of sedatives;
• may cause an allergic reaction.

Melissa essential oil can be taken orally for medicinal purposes. It normalizes digestion, helps with uncomplicated heart disease. Beauticians recommend using it externally in order to improve skin condition. A warm bath with a few drops of essential oil from this plant will help you relax and calm down.

Fresh lemon balm juice helps relieve skin itching and irritation. Helps with insect bites and sunburn.

Probably, there is no person who did not drink tea with melissa. This is a very tasty, healthy and soothing drink. No less popular tea with mint.

• fresh leaves are added to vegetable and fruit salads;
• dried lemon balm is an excellent seasoning for meat and fish;
• leaves can be seasoned with soup before serving;
• it is good with cheese and mushrooms;
• fresh, it is added to pickles and marinades;
• used to make homemade wines and liquors;
• with its addition, you can cook fragrant oil and a variety of salad dressings.

Wash the lettuce leaves, pat dry and put on the bottom of the dish. Peel half a kilo of oranges, remove films and grains, cut into small pieces. Arrange oranges on top of salad. Prepare dressing: mix 3 tbsp. orange juice, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 3 tbsp. vegetable oil, add 1 tbsp. sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Pour oranges with sauce, sprinkle finely chopped lemon balm leaves on top.

The use of this healing herb helps fight the following ailments:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• intestinal colic;
• vomit;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• hypertension;
• vegetovascular dystonia;
• headache;
• hypersexuality;
• nervous exhaustion;
• insomnia;
• skin rashes;
• painful menstruation;
• toothache;
• inflammation in the mouth.

Tea with lemon balm helps to get rid of excess weight. This herb acts in two directions: on the one hand, it regulates appetite and removes toxins, and on the other hand, it helps to keep calm and good mood.

• The smell repels moths and small rodents. For these purposes, you need to lay out the dried grass in closets with clothes, pantries and other secluded places.
• If you plant lemon balm bushes next to vegetable beds and flower beds, then the plants will be protected from fungal diseases.
• In order for the collected tomatoes to be stored in boxes and boxes for as long as possible, you need to shift them with dried or fresh lemon balm.

Melissa can be grown on your windowsill directly from seeds. You need to plant it in late March - early April.

Growing with seeds:

• Seeds are planted at a depth of about 5 mm.
• The plant needs light, room temperature and moderate watering. After about 3 weeks, the seeds will germinate.
• When the May frosts pass, the plant can be planted in the ground.
• The distance between the bushes should be about 30 cm.
• Before planting, the ground should be fertilized with humus and tree resin.
• To achieve a rich harvest, the plant needs to be fed once a month, and after the shoots fade, cut them off.

• This medicinal plant is named after the nymph Melissa, who the ancient Greeks considered the patroness of beekeepers.
• In medieval Europe, doctors recommended treating dog bites with a mixture of lemon balm and salt.

Watch the following video - you will learn about all the differences between lemon balm and catnip and snakehead, as well as the use of lemon balm.