Lemongrass Loose Leaf (50 gr) (Cidreira Planta - Melissa officinalis L)

Lemon balm is the medicinal plant Melissa officinalis, also known as lemon balm or melissa, which is rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids with calming, sedative, relaxing, antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, being widely used to treat various health problems, especially digestive problems, anxiety and stress.


This medicinal plant can be used in the form of teas, infusions, juices, desserts or in the form of capsules or natural extracts, and can be found in herbalists, health food stores, compounding pharmacies, markets and some street markets.


1. Improves sleep quality

Lemon balm has phenolic compounds in its composition, such as rosmarinic acid, which has calming and sedative properties, which can be useful to fight insomnia and improve sleep quality.


Additionally, some studies show that drinking lemon balm tea twice a day for 15 days improves sleep in people with insomnia, and that the combination of lemon balm and valerian can help alleviate restlessness and sleep disturbances.


2. Fights anxiety and stress

Lemon balm helps to fight anxiety and stress by having rosmarinic acid in its composition that acts by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA, which contributes to the body's feeling of relaxation, well-being and tranquility and decreased of anxiety symptoms such as restlessness and nervousness.


Some studies show that taking a single dose of lemon balm increases calmness and alertness in adults under mental stress, and that taking capsules containing 300 to 600 mg of lemon balm three times a day reduces anxiety symptoms.


3. Relieves headaches

Lemon balm can also be helpful in treating headaches, especially if they occur as a result of stress. Because it contains rosmarinic acid, it has analgesic, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help relax muscles, release tension, and relax tense blood vessels, which can contribute to the relief of headaches.


4. Fights intestinal gas

Lemon balm contains citral, an essential oil, with antispasmodic and carminative action, inhibiting the production of substances responsible for increasing bowel contraction, which relieves colic and combats the production of intestinal gas.


Some studies show that lemon balm extract treatment can improve colic in breastfeeding babies within 1 week.


5. Relieves PMS Symptoms

By having phenolic compounds in its composition such as rosmarinic acid, lemon balm helps relieve PMS symptoms by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which improves the moodiness, nervousness and anxiety associated with PMS.


Lemon balm for its antispasmodic and analgesic properties also helps relieve the discomfort of menstrual cramps.


In addition, some studies using lemon balm capsules show that to reduce PMS symptoms, you should take 1200 mg of lemon balm capsule daily.


6. Fights gastrointestinal problems

Lemon balm can help treat gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, for example, because it contains rosmarinic acid in its composition, in addition to citral, geraniol and beta-caryophyllene. , with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic and intestinal gas elimination action, which helps to relieve the symptoms and discomfort of gastrointestinal problems.


7. Combats cold sores

Some studies show that caffeic, rosmarinic and feluric acids present in lemon balm have action against the cold sore virus by inhibiting the virus and preventing it from multiplying, which prevents the spread of infection, reduces healing time and contributes to the Quick effect on typical symptoms of cold sores like itching, tingling, burning, stitches, swelling and redness. For this benefit, you should apply a lipstick containing lemon balm extract on the lips when you feel the first symptoms.


In addition, these acids in lemon balm can also inhibit the multiplication of the genital herpes virus. However, studies in humans are still needed to prove this benefit.


8. Eliminates fungi and bacteria

Some in vitro laboratory studies show that phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic, caffeic and coumaric acids present in lemon balm are capable of eliminating fungi, especially skin fungi, such as Candida sp. and bacteria like:


Pseudomonas aeruginosa which causes lung infections, ear infections, and urinary tract infections;

Salmonella sp that cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections;

Escherichia coli that causes a urinary tract infection;

Shigella sonnei which causes intestinal infections;

However, human studies are still needed to prove these benefits.


9. Helps in the treatment of Alzheimer's

Some studies show that phenolic compounds in lemon balm, such as citral, can


inhibit cholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for degrading acetylcholine which is an important brain neurotransmitter for memory. People with Alzheimer's typically have a decrease in acetylcholine, which leads to memory loss and decreased ability to learn.


Additionally, these studies indicate that taking lemon balm by mouth for 4 months can reduce agitation, improve thinking, and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.


10. Has antioxidant action

Lemon balm has flavonoids and phenolic compounds in its composition, especially rosmarinic and caffeic acids, which have antioxidant action, fighting free radicals and reducing cell damage. Thus, lemon balm can help prevent diseases associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals such as cardiovascular diseases. However, studies in humans are still needed.


how to consume

Lemon balm can be consumed in the form of teas, infusions or even desserts, being easy to prepare and very tasty.


1. Lemon balm tea


To make lemon balm tea, it is advisable to use only its leaves, both dry and fresh, as it is the part of the plant that contains all the beneficial properties for health.


Ingredients


1 tablespoon of lemon balm leaves;

1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode


Add the lemon balm leaves to the boiling water, cover and let it rest for a few minutes. Then strain and drink 3 to 4 cups of this tea a day.