Lemon Balm for Tension and Anxiety ~ by: Rhonda

~ This is a message that my friend Rhonda sent me.  I copied and pasted it for you.  ~

hey angela i've got a good herb for tension and anxiety
Lemon Balm is a native to southern Europe and northern Africa and has been cultivated for over 2000 years. It has a long history as a healing herb and was also part of a drink that ensured longevity. The branches were strewn on floors to freshen a room,The Arabs introduced it as medicinal herb, a tea that was taken for anxiety and depression. Melissa tea is still known in France today as a remedy for fatigue and headaches.The Greek physician Dioscorides wrote about it being used for scorpions stings and insect and dog bites.

Herb Description
Lemon Balm is a citrusy and fresh scented herb. It is very prolific and easily grown
Fresh or dried leaves are used.
Preparation and Storage

Fresh leaves can be stored in plastic bags in the fridge for a few days or they can be frozen. Dried leaves should be stored in an airtight container. To dry leaves, avoid exposure to light or heat, spread out on newspaper or hang in bunches in a dark airy place. The leaves lose some of their flavor when dried. Dried leaves can be used as an ingredient in potpourris.
Culinary Uses

Because of its delicate lemon flavor, lemon balm has a wide culinary potential. Apart from using fresh leaves as an attractive garnish, Chopped fresh leaves can be used to to add zest to sweet or tangy dishes. It combines well with allspice, bay leaves, mint, pepper, rosemary and thyme. Fresh herbs with essential oils, however, are less potent and should be added at the end of cooking. A wonderful addition to fruit salads, green salads, herb butters, fruit drinks, sorbets. It can also be used in egg dishes, custards, soups and casseroles. It works well in stuffings for poultry,lamb or pork. Its subtle flavor is a perfect for sauces and marinades for fish. Lemon balm and chervil are also good combination.

Attributed Medicinal Properties
Lemon balm tea was known to have powers of longevity. Today the tea is taken to treat colds and flu, lower blood pressure and for insomnia and indigestion.
Balm is an excellent carminative herb that relieves spasms in the digestive tract, and is used in cases of flatulent dyspepsia. Because of its mild anti-depressive properties, it is primarily indicated where there is dyspepsia associated with anxiety or depression, as the gently sedative oils relieve tension & stress reactions, thus acting to lighten depression. . The volatile oils appear to act between the digestive tract and nervous system. It may be used effectively in conditions of migraine that are associated with tension, neuralgia, anxiety induced palpitations, and/or insomnia.This is a safe herb for children, and it tastes very good.
Fresh leaves can be used to sooth insect bites, and a linement made with lemon balm will help heal cold sores

Other Names:

• Balm mint
• bee herb
• Sweet balm
• Garden balm
• Honey plant
• Melissa

Lemon Balm infused oil
1 cup of oil
1/2 cup of fresh herb
let stand 4-5 days at room temperature and the herbs will settle to bottom. Put into clean jars, discard the herbs and store in the fridge for up to 6 months

Lemon Balm Tea
(with fresh or dried leaf)
1heaping tablespoon of dried leaves
2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup of boiling water
(or make sun tea by placing herbs and cool water in covered jar in the sun for a few hours)
strain add honey and, or lemon.

Sounds yummy to me!

I thought this was interesting.  I had never heard of it before and I thought maybe some of you might be interested as well.  Since Rhonda took the time to give me the information, I thought I should pass it along where everyone will see it.