Medicinal Use: Lemon balm leaves are often used as a tea, extract, tincture, oil, or ointment.

Harvesting: Left alone, lemon balm may take over the garden. Several bouts of pruning keep the plant in check. Clip off stems or remove individual leaves for drying on screens, in a dehydrator, or hang them in bunches to dry. I like to harvest just before the plant flowers (early to late summer).

Relieves Anxiety and Insomnia: Lemon balm acts to reduce anxiety and helps people get better sleep. It calms the body and improves mood and intellectual performance in children and adults without negative effects. For reducing the effects of sleep disorders, especially during menopause, try a combiLemon Balm Flowers, Gideon Pisanty, CC nation of lemon BY 3.0 balm and valerian. Lemon balm helps stop the constant flow of anxious thoughts. It also helps with ADHD and mild depression.

Mind Calming and Clear Thinking: Lemon balm seems to calm the mind and allows people to think more clearly. It increases mental alertness and promotes a positive attitude.

Anti-Viral Effects: Herpes, Cold Sores, and Shingles: Lemon balm is known as an anti-viral and is effective against herpes and cold sores when applied directly to the skin. It acts against the herpes simplex virus and when used regularly, people report fewer outbreaks and fast healing of existing lesions. It also gives relief of symptoms like itching and burning. Try lemon balm essential oil or lemon balm ointment on herpes and cold sores. Apply several times daily or as needed. For shingles take a tincture internally as well as apply topically to the affected area.

PMS Symptoms: Lemon balm reduces symptoms of PMS, including cramping, anxiety, and headaches. It works well for PMS in teenage and adult women. It is an anti-spasmodic.

Protects the Heart: Lemon balm, used regularly, lowers triglycerides and improves cholesterol synthesis. It controls heart palpitations and lowers blood pressure while protecting the heart. It controls the electrical pulses that drive heart palpitations, tachycardia, and arrhythmias.

Protects the Liver: Lemon balm protects the liver from some of the negative effects of the American diet. It supports the liver’s production of antioxidants and helps detox the liver.

Antibacterial and Antifungal: Lemon Balm oil has a high level of antibacterial and antifungal activity. It is particularly active against Candida yeast infections. Use lemon balm oil, tincture or extract twice a day.

Diabetes: Lemon balm oil, tincture and extract are effective in preventing and treating diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels and protects the body against the oxidative stress caused by diabetes.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant: Lemon balm oil acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It reduces inflammation in the body, protecting against disease and reducing pain.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Lemon balm extract is believed to reduce damage from plaque forming proteins in Alzheimer’s disease. Regular administration of lemon balm extract increases cognitive function over time and reduces agitation in Alzheimer’s patients.

Heals Skin and Reduces Signs of Aging: People who use lemon balm on their skin report that it reduces wrinkles and fine lines giving the skin a more youthful appearance. It is particularly beneficial in supporting the skin against minor blemishes and infections.