{"id":6111,"date":"2019-04-30T03:08:29","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T03:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6111"},"modified":"2021-11-10T11:14:33","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T11:14:33","slug":"lemon-balm-15-surprising-benefits-for-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/lemon-balm-15-surprising-benefits-for-your-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Lemon Balm – 15 Surprising Benefits for Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s now grown in countries all around the world. Lemon balm grows readily in moist environments, which is why it\u2019s a favorite shrub in many herb gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shrub grows between two to three feet high, depending on whether or not it receives pruning and attention \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemon balm has a host of surprising health benefits; here are eight that you may not know.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.    Soothe Feelings of Anxiety and Relieve Insomnia <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 <\/a>build up, and we have no outlet to release the tension \u2013 such as exercising, then we tend to start to develop nervous stem disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first symptoms of mental illness to show up in a time where we\u2019re feeling stressed \u2013 is insomnia. Insomnia is a sleeping disorder where the affected individual can\u2019t seem to fall asleep, no matter what they try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2.    Aids Digestive Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we eat refined carbohydrates<\/a>, such as white flour products and sugary snacks, these foods create inflammation in the digestive system. The increase in inflammation causes swelling of the intestinal wall, allowing toxins to escape the confines of the gastrointestinal tract and enter the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, these inflammatory particles end up circulating into every other biological system in the body, exacerbating symptoms of pains, stiffness, and swelling associated with inflammatory diseases, such as osteoarthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, lemon balm features anti-inflammatory properties that soothe digestive inflammation. If you suffer from bowel disease or inflammatory conditions like celiac disease, then consider drinking lemon balm tea with your meals to counteract the effects of inflammation and aid with digestion. The potent polyphenols found in lemon balm tea go to work on restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut, helping you absorb more nutrition from your food while soothing signs of digestive inflammation.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3.    Natural Air Freshener and Bug Repellant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you use air freshener products around your home? While they may offer some benefit for removing bad odors from the air, they may not be suitable for your health. Most air fresheners contain toxic ingredients that should not go anywhere near your skin. Compounds such as limonene can cause untold health problems in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, lemon balm can act as a natural air freshener. Take an empty spray bottle and fill it with distilled or purified water. Add a few drops of lemon balm essential oil to the water and shake to mix well. The spray should have a pleasant citrusy fragrance that\u2019s refreshing and masks bad odors. You can also dry lemon balm leaves and add them to a potpourri mix with dried flowers from the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same spray also works as an active, natural insect repellant <\/a>as well. Spray it on your skin every half hour for a soothing, hydrating effect that shields you from bug bites.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4.    Effective Cold Sore Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the seasons changing, we\u2019re exposed to more viruses and bacteria <\/a>floating through the air and crawling over surfaces. As a result, some of us will come down with a bacterial or viral illness, such as the flu or bronchitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that catch influenza, and carry the herpes simplex virus, run the risk of developing cold sores during a viral or bacterial infection. The herpes virus collects under the surface of the lip and starts to form tiny blisters on the lip line, resulting in signs of inflammation, swelling, and redness in a specific area of the mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the cold sore progress, the fluid-filled sacs may burst, resulting in a contagious liquid washing over the skin \u2013 furthering the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating a cold sore is no easy task. Many people resort to medicated lip balms to help relieve their symptoms. However, we recommend you make yourself a cup of lemon balm tea. After you\u2019re done drinking the beverage, use the tea bag as a compress for the cold sore.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5.    Antioxidant Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every day, our bodies build up toxins that result in the creation of free radicals; these harmful particles attach to cells, causing cell oxidation and cell death. Depending on where the free radicals are present, depends on the type of symptoms they present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best examples of free radical damage is people that receive a sunburn <\/a>from spending too much time unprotected in the sun\u2019s harmful UV rays. As a result of a sunburn, the skin turns red and inflames, becoming tender to the touch, and it may seem like it’s radiating heat as well. This sunburn produces free radicals that end up causing wrinkles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking lemon balm tea, and using lemon balm skin lotions can significantly reduce the impact of free radicals in the body. The polyphenol antioxidants in the essential oil remove free radicals before they have the chance to do any significant damage to the skin or other organs.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Slow the Effects of Age-related Memory Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 5.8-million Americans live with age-related memory loss, otherwise known as dementia. Dementia <\/a>is a terrible disease for anyone to have to handle. The disorder destroys neural pathways in the brain affecting the patient\u2019s memory recall and ability to think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected individual may start to forget important details about their lives, and by the time the disease reaches its final stages, the patient may only be a shell of their former self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alzheimer\u2019s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia in the United States. People who are living with this cognitive disease find that they require assisted care to manage their behavior as their symptoms start to enter the final stages of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking lemon balm tea and diffusing it with lemon balm essential oil may help slow the effects of Alzheimer\u2019s disease, providing the patient with more time to enjoy life experiences before their memory fades.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Lemon Balm as Herbal Tea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Herbal teas are a favorite beverage among the naturopath community for their health benefits. Plants and fruits contain polyphenol micronutrients that give them exciting colors and fragrances. These polyphenols also have beneficial health advantages as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking herbal tea<\/a> allows you to capture these beneficial compounds in a tasty beverage. Drinking lemon balm tea provides a soothing and calming effect that\u2019s slightly sedative in its impact. The results of drinking lemon balm tea are similar to chamomile in its relaxing qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend purchasing a premade lemon balm tea brand, as taking too much of the tea can leave you feeling quite sleepy. Drinking lemon balm tea also has an excellent effect on improving your digestive health as well. The polyphenols reduce inflammation of the gastrointestinal system, allowing you to absorb more nutrients from your food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steep the tea in hot water for 5 to 7-minutes, and then drink it as warm, as you can. The warm beverage helps the polyphenols absorb into your bloodstream faster, allowing you to benefit from the effects of the polyphenols sooner.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. When to Avoid Using Lemon Balm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since lemon balm tea has such potent sedative effects, certain individuals may need to clear its use through their doctor before adding lemon balm tea or essential oil to their diet. Lemon balm may cause some adverse reactions with certain medications<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should avoid using lemon balm if you already use sleeping medication, such as Ambien, as the tea can amplify the effects of the drug, leaving you feeling hungover and groggy the following day. There is some research that shows that lemon balm may cause an adverse reaction in people who are using antiretroviral drugs \u2013 such as those used to treat HIV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with the effects of degenerative vision diseases, glaucoma, may also find it best to avoid using lemon balm tea and essential oil. The oil can cause excessive pressure to build behind the eyes, exacerbating the symptoms of the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients undergoing a surgical procedure should avoid using lemon balm 48-hours before their surgery date. The lemon balm may cause complications with the anesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Helps Treat Nausea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lemon balm is effective at providing relief from digestive inflammation in the GI tract. It’s also beneficial for treating symptoms of nausea<\/a>. Drinking lemon balm tea or inhaling lemon balm aromatherapy oils may help to stop feelings of nausea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 2005 study assessing the efficacy of lemon balm tea found it useful in treating gastric distress symptoms. If the affected individual can’t stomach liquids, breathing in the diffused vapor from a diffuser can stop nausea. If you don’t have a diffuser, add a few drops of lemon balm oil to a bowl of hot, not boiling, water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using boiling water can damage the polyphenol antioxidants in the lemon balm essential oil. Therefore, boil the water and let the kettle sit for three minutes before adding it to the oil. This settling time should drop the temperature enough to keep the polyphenols intact. However, it should still be sufficiently warm enough to produce steam for the diffusing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Minimize Menstrual Cramping and Menopause Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to data, the average age for American women to enter menopause is 51-years. Menopause marks the end of the fertility cycle in women. If you haven’t had a period for 12-months, you’re officially dealing with the onset of menopause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women in menopause find they experience changes to their hormone profile as estrogen and progesterone <\/a>levels start to drop. Many women decide to go on hormone replacement therapy to help them deal with the emotional and mood changes involved with the process. Using lemon balm essential oil and lemon balm tea can help alleviate some of the physical and psychological issues involved with menopause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows lemon balm has a slightly anti-spasmodic effect, helping women deal with the impact of menstrual cramps. A 2015 study shows that lemon balm reduced the intensity and frequency of menstrual cramping in high school girls. Consuming 1,2-grams of lemon balm tea every day helps to reduce cramping associated with menstruation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Calm Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science is at a loss to explain the reasons why we develop a headache<\/a>. There are various causes of headaches, and the effects of the condition vary between individuals. Some people find they experience severe migraines regularly, while others get a mild headache every other year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when a headache strikes, lemon balm can help. Many of us turn to OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories to help us with our headaches. However, lemon balm offers a natural alternative to pharmaceutical solutions. Drinking lemon balm tea can help with resolving a headache. However, it’s not the best delivery method, and it takes longer to feel the effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding some lemon balm essential oil to a carrier oil, like extra-virgin coconut oil, helps get the polyphenols in the lemon balm into your bloodstream faster than with tea. Rub the oil into your temples or diffuse with lemon balm oil mixed into your diffuser water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Reduce Toothache Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing the effects of a toothache is hard for anyone to bear. Toothache <\/a>can keep you awake at night, and it’s a highly uncomfortable condition that requires immediate treatment. However, sometimes, it’s hard to get to the dentist for a checkup. Maybe it’s a public holiday, or they closed over the festive season \u2013 now what do you do?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toothache is a serious problem, and it needs immediate treatment. If you’re out of options, you can always turn to lemon balm for help. Blend a few drops of lemon balm essential oil into half a teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil. Rub it into the gumline around the affected tooth and give it a few minutes to take effect. You should notice a calming sensation and reduction in pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can try “pulling” the infection out of your teeth. Add 12-drops of lemon balm essential oil to a tablespoon of warm coconut oil and a \u00bc-glass of water. Swirl the mixture in your mouth for a few minutes, and the anti-microbial properties of the lemon balm and coconut oil help kill the bacteria causing the toothache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Regulate Blood Sugar Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 22-million Americans live with the blood sugar disorder diabetes<\/a>. Diabetes is often a symptom of the pancreas losing its ability to release insulin efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is promising research to show that lemon balm is effective in helping people regulate blood sugar levels. Drinking lemon balm tea in a fasted state first thing in the morning helps lower blood sugar and control it throughout the day\u2014the polyphenols in the tea help stimulate pancreatic function, helping to improve insulin sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 55-million Americans are prediabetic, and lemon balm can help you reduce your chances of the condition progressing into diabetes. Drinking lemon balm tea in the morning and fasting until the late afternoon is a great way to sort out any blood sugar problems you’re facing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try that protocol for two weeks, and get your doctor to take your fasting blood sugar results in two weeks. You’ll find the results surprising, and you’ll probably be out of the risk profile for diabetes or prediabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Anti-Microbial Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infection is a huge problem for human beings. We can experience an infection of our body in various forms, from cuts and wounds that get infections to viruses that cause gastric problems or blood disorders. Some infections are worse than others, requiring medical treatment, while many respond to home remedies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We already covered how lemon balm can boost your immune function. However, we also need to talk about lemon balm and its anti-microbial properties. Lemon balm shows promising results in fighting off pathogens <\/a>in the digestive system. If you’re dealing with food poisoning or gastric distress, lemon balm tea can reduce the inflammation responsible for causing the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemon balm’s anti-microbial effects help to fight off bacteria and viruses entering the body. Research shows the efficacy of lemon balm fighting off the Candida Albicans fungi in the digestive system. Consuming lemon balm tea every day can help to keep your digestive system healthy and your gut biome in optimal balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

15. Lemon Balm Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Consuming lemon balm tea and using lemon balm essential oils <\/a>have tremendous benefits for improving your health. While lemon balm is a natural compound, it’s possible to overdo your use of it. Overuse of lemon balm can cause the following side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Pain during urination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Increases in body temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Nausea, stomach discomfort, and vomiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Dizziness<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Wheezing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Skin inflammation and irritation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Allergic reactions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mitigate the risk of experiencing side effects, stick to doses under 1-gram at a time. If you’re using the essential oil, only use it once or twice a day. To check if you have a sensitivity to the oil, add some to a cotton swab. Lightly wipe some on the inside of your wrist. If you don’t notice any skin reddening in 15-minutes, you should have any problems with lemon balm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you encounter any symptoms of side effects or allergic reactions, consult with your doctor for advice. It’s a good idea to cut your use of lemon balm until you meet with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\r\n

<\/div>