Lemon Balm Rises Again

Lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis) happens to be my favorite ingredient in homemade tea. Medicinally, it happens to treat insomnia, it's used for epilepsy, nerve disorders, fainting, hysteria, migraines, hypochondria and vertigo. It calms the stomach and reduces gas, increases blood circulation, and induces perspiration when served hot as tea. It uplifts the spirit, calms emotional upsets, decreases blood pressure and eases menstrual tension and pains. It is antiviral and antibacterial, and has been used to treat herpes simplex (topically), as well as toothaches.

In spite of all that, lemon balm is quite tasty. In the summer I make iced sweet tea out of it, the lemony flavor makes it very refreshing. In the winters, I make hot tea from the dried leaves, the dried leaves from mint, and lavender blossoms. Served with a touch of honey, it will send me directly into tranquility---if not to bed!