Lemon Balm – 15 Surprising Benefits for Your Health

The lemon balm shrub is part of the mint family. The leaves of this plant have a citrus scent when rubbed between the fingers, hence its moniker. Lemon balm hails from regions around Europe, but its global popularity as a traditional healing herb and herbal tea, meaning it’s now grown in countries all around the world. Lemon balm grows readily in moist environments, which is why it’s a favorite shrub in many herb gardens.

The shrub grows between two to three feet high, depending on whether or not it receives pruning and attention – or it’s left to fend for itself and grow as it pleases. The shrub blooms during the springtime and summer months, and it produces clusters of small faint-yellow flowers that have a lemony scent. The leaves of a lemon balm shrub look similar in structure to mint, which is why many people confuse the two.

Lemon balm has a host of surprising health benefits; here are eight that you may not know.

1.    Soothe Feelings of Anxiety and Relieve Insomnia

Living in a modern society means that we have plenty of pressure in our lives from family, social, and career responsibilities. When stress and anxiety build up, and we have no outlet to release the tension – such as exercising, then we tend to start to develop nervous stem disorders.

One of the first symptoms of mental illness to show up in a time where we’re feeling stressed – is insomnia. Insomnia is a sleeping disorder where the affected individual can’t seem to fall asleep, no matter what they try.

As a result, the affected individual may feel tired and groggy the next day, adding to their stress levels. This effect results in a vicious circle where the affected individual may start to develop panic attacks from stress-related anxiety disorder and sleep deprivation.

Fortunately, lemon balm makes for an excellent natural sedative. It soothes your feelings of anxiety and stress, helping you get the restorative sleep you need.