Lemon Balm Herbs & Uses

This plant is a native of the Mediterranean region and Central Europe. It is now naturalized in North America and as a garden escapee in Britain.

This ancient herb was dedicated to the goddess Diana, and used medicinally by the Greeks some 2,000 years ago. The generic name, Melissa, comes from the Greek word for bee and the Greek belief that if you put sprigs of balm in an empty hive it would attract a swarm; equally, if plan nearby bees in residence in a hive they would never go away. This belief was still prevalent in medieval times when sugar was highly priced and honey a luxury.

In the Middle Ages lemon balm was used to soothe tension, to dress wounds, as a cure for toothache, mad dog bites, skin eruptions, crooked necks, and sickness during pregnancy. It was even said to prevent baldness, and ladies made linen or silk amulets filled with lemon balm as a lucky love charm.

It has been acclaimed the world over for promoting long life. Prince Llewellyn of Glamorgan drank Melissa tea, so he claimed, every day of the 108 years of his life.

Wild claims apart, as a tonic for melancholy it has been praised by herbal writers for centuries and is still used today in aromatherapy to counter depression.

Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'

Variegated Lemon Balm

Hardy perennial. Ht 60cm (24in), spread 30cm (12in) or more. Clusters of small, pale yellow/white flowers in summer. The green/gold variegated leaves are oval, toothed, slightly wrinkled and aromatic with a lemon scent when crushed. This variety is as hardy as common lemon balm. The one problem is that in high season it reverts to green. To maintain variegation keep cutting back, this in turn will

promote new growth which should be variegated. Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm Hardy perennial. Ht 75cn (30in), spread 45cm (1 Sin or more. Clusters of sina pale yellow/white flowers 1 summer. The green leaves) are oval toothed, slightly wrinkled, and highly aromatic when (rushed. Melissa officinalis 'All Gold Golden Lemon Balm Half-hardy perennial. Ill 60cm (24in), spread 30cm (12in) or more. Clusters q small, pale yellow/white s flowers in summer. The leaves are all yellow, oval inf.

shape, toothed, slightly wrinkled and aromatic with a lemon scent when crushed. The leaves are prone to scorching in high summer; also more tender! than the other varieties.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed

Common Lemon Balm can be grown from seed. The seed is small but manageable, and it is better to start it off under protection. Sow in prepared seed or plug (rays in early spring, using the bark, grit, peat mix of compost and cover with Perlite. Germination takes between 10 and 14 days. The seeds dislike being wet so, after the initial watering, try not to water again until germination starts. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out and plant in the garden, 45cm ' 1 Sin) apart.

Cuttings ["he variegated and golden lemon balm can only be propagated by cuttings or division. Take softwood cuttings from the new growth in late spring/early summer. As the cutting material will be very soft take extra care when collecting it.

Division

The root stock is compact but easy to divide (autumn or spring). Replant directly into the garden in a prepared site.

Pests and Diseases

The only problem likely to affect lemon balm is a form of the rust virus; cut the plant back to the ground, dispose of all the infected leaves, including any that may have accidentally fallen on the ground.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Divide established plants.

Summer: Keep trimming established plants. Cut back after flowering to help prevent self-seeding. Autumn: Divide established plants, or any that may have encroached on other plant areas.

Winter: Protect plants if the temperature falls below -5°C (23°F). The plant dies back, leaving but a small presence on the surface of the soil. Protect with a bark or straw mulch or agricultural fleece.

Garden Cultivation

Lemon

Balm will grow in almost any soil and in any position. It does prefers a fairly rich, moist soil in sunny position with some midday shade. Keep all plants trimmed around the edges to restrict growth and encourage fresh shoots. In the right soil conditions this can be a very invasive plant. Unlike horseradish, the established roots are not difficult to uproot if things get out of hand.

Harvesting

Pick leaves throughout the summer for fresh use. For drying, pick just before the flowers begin to open when flavor is best; handle gently to avoid bruising. The aroma is rapidly lost, together with much of its therapeutic value, when dried or stored.

CULINARY

Lemon Balm is one of those herbs that smells delicious but tastes like school-boiled cabbage water when cooked.

Add fresh leaves to vinegar.

MEDICINAL

Add leaves to wine cups, teas and beers, or use chopped with fish and mushroom dishes. Mix freshly chopped with soft cheeses.

It has frequently been incorporated in proprietary cordials for liqueurs and its popularity in France led to its name 'Tea de France'.

It is used as a flavoring for certain cheeses in parts of Switzerland.

MEDICINAL

Lemon Balm tea is said to relieve headaches and tension and to restore the memory. It is also good to drink after meals to ease the digestion, flatulence and colic. Use fresh or frozen leaves in infusions because the volatile oil tends to disappear during the drying process.

The isolated oil used in aromatherapy is recommended for nervousness, depression, insomnia and nervous headaches. It also helps eczma sufferers.

OTHER USES

This is a most useful plant to keep bees happy. The flower may look boring to you but it is sheer heaven to them. So plant lemon balm around beehives or orchards to attract pollinating bees.

CONTAINER GROWING

If you live in an area that suffers very cold winters, the gold form would benefit from being grown in containers. This method suits those with a small garden who do not want a takeover bid from lemon balm. Use the bark, peat, grit mix of compost. Only feed with liquid fertilizer in the summer, otherwise the growth will become too lush and soft, and aroma and color diminished. Water normally throughout the growing season. Allow the container to become very dry (but not totally) in winter, and keep the pots in a cool, protected environment.