A member of the labiate family, Lemon Balm or Melissia officinalis originates in the countries of the southern Mediterranean. With a distinctive, square shape, stem and pairs of identical leaves along each stalk, it is in the same botannical family as basil, mint and rosemary. Despite its ... Read review
For normal to oily hair. With active plant extracts from soothing organic Lemon Balm and a ... more
refreshing blend of essential oils including Lemon and Orange Blossom plus biodegradable plant based cleansers* to cleanse your hair gently, without chemical build up and without stripping its natural oils leaving it soft shiny and manageable. *The plant based cleansers are certified by Eco-cert. They produce a very soft lather to cleanse your hair gently but effectively and are much kinder to the environment. Directions for use: Massage into your hair&scalp, rinse thoroughly. Repeat if necessary. For best results use with Weleda Lemon Balm&Orange Blossom Conditioner. Suitable for vegetarians. Size: 250ml (8.5 fl oz)
Postage & Packaging:£2.50 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Most often it is used for relieving cold and flu symptoms and reducing fever. Strengthens ... more
the immune system, helping the body prevent infection and disease. Relaxes and restores the nervous system. It is great to aid sleep at night but it is also beneficial for other nerve disorders including fainting, hysteria and migraine headaches.
Postage & Packaging:£3.97 Availability:Usually dispatched within 6-10 business days...
Advantages: Soothing and Easy to Grow Your Own Disadvantages: none
...member of the labiate family, Lemon Balm or Melissia officinalis originates in the countries of the southern Mediterranean. With a distinctive, square shape, stem and pairs of identical leaves along each stalk, it is in the same botannical family as basil, mint and rosemary. Despite its visual ressemblance, it may be distinguished from the mint plant not only by taste and smell, but by being slightly taller and bushier, with more fibrous stems. ...~~ Domestic Use: Dried lemon balm makes a good bath tonic, as it is very relaxing or soothing (wrap a few sprigs in a muslin square or old pop sock, and hang under a running bath tap).
It can be used to stuff a small herb pillow to scent the bed, or in a sachet to hang in a clothes cupboard to ward off moths. Infused as a tea, it makes a good natural tonic.
~~ Culinary Use: In the mediterranean it is used fresh in ... more
A member of the labiate family, Lemon Balm or Melissia officinalis originates in the countries of the southern Mediterranean. With a distinctive, square shape, stem and pairs of identical leaves along each stalk, it is in the same botannical family as basil, mint and rosemary. Despite its visual ressemblance, it may be distinguished from the mint plant not only by taste and smell, but by being slightly taller and bushier, with more fibrous stems.
~~ Cultivation: This hardy perennial grows up to and over 1 meter high, and spreads quite easily in a sunny, well drained spot in the garden. It can be grown on by taking cuttings in the summer and potting up in compost with a little fertiliser, or look out for small pots in teh Garden Centre from Spring time onwards.
There are several varieties available in this country, including the variegated, with attractive two-tone foliage. It usually has dark green leaves and is quite similar to a garden mint in appearance. If you wish to get the best out of your plant, chop it back quite severely in mid summer and this will induce a second growth.
It has small white flowers, and will die back in the autumn, but regrow the following year.
~~ Harvesting: Cut the leaves before the plant flowers. They will dry quite quickly, on a metal tray or sheet of plain paper in an undisturbed warm place, or very low oven.
~~ Domestic Use: Dried lemon balm makes a good bath tonic, as it is very relaxing or soothing (wrap a few sprigs in a muslin square or old pop sock, and hang under a running bath tap).
It can be used to stuff a small herb pillow to scent the bed, or in a sachet to hang in a clothes cupboard to ward off moths. Infused as a tea, it makes a good natural tonic.
~~ Culinary Use: In the mediterranean it is used fresh in salads, to flavour soups and casseroles in place of lemon peel, or as a refreshing cup of tea. It is also used to flavour liqueurs, fruit and wine drinks, and was reputedly used widely by the Ancient Greeks and Chineese.
~~ Recipe: Simple Chicken Stew with Lemon Balm Skin and season 4 breasts, seal in oil in an oven proof casserole dish. Stir 4 tablespoons (25 g) of flour in a pan with 150 ml red wine and 150 ml chicken stock (add liquid gradually to avoid lumps). Add rind from quarter of an orange, small onion and 3 sprigs of fresh lemon balm (all finely chopped). Garlic optional. Pour over chicken. Preheat oven to Gas4/350 F, cover casserole and cook for 40 mins. Garnish with sprigs of lemon balm.
~~ Further reading Collins Gem Dictionary of Herbs Sue Spielbery, Green Gardening (National Trust, 2001)
Advantages: great scent Disadvantages: can be invasive
Lemon Balm otherwise known as (Melissa officinalis) has to be my favourite scented herb in the garden . The aroma of the leaves is just something else . Lemon balm is a member of the much bigger balm family which includes sweet balm too .
A great bonus is that it is an easy plant to grow , provided a few basic rules are followed.
It also has the bonus of being trouble free generally regarding pests . Apart from human hands picking the leaves that ... ...Great value ! Lemon Balm will grow in pots if kept well watered and out of the full midday sun , although I prefer mine where they belong - ie in the ground.
They are much less hassle this way for sure.
To prolong the life of the plant a good tip in the autumn is to prune quite hard back . THis encourages new lush aromatic growth to appear the following Spring , and stops them getting a little straggly .
You can also control the shape of the bush ...
Gardenex 19.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Lemon Balm
Advantages: Gentle herbal remedies Disadvantages: Scent is lost quickly
...bites to soothe the irritation.
Culinary uses: Pretty much anywhere a delicate lemon flavour is required.
General uses: Can be used for herb pillows, pot pourris, and aromatherapy baths.
Disadvantages: Fragrance is fleeting, so take care when storing and drying the plant. Distilled oil can be toxic. ...
Salgirl 03.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Lemon Balm
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