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#LemonBalm

Day 8

This is my lemon balm 🌿

Balm is sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away melancholy – John Evelyn, 1679. 

Lemon Balm.  Just the mere thought of its uplifting aroma and cleansing taste brings happiness and ease to the mind and spirit.  It has been mentioned and used since the earliest recorded history of herbal healing, from depression to colds.  Not only does Melissa offer medicinal benefits, but also makes a delicious tea, is an excellent flavoring for food and salads.  In addition, its powerful volatile oil is a key element in aromatherapy, including many perfumes and cosmetics.

 

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HEALING

Lemon Balm is notorious for successfully treating a wide variety of ailments. Some of its most famous uses are for fevers, depression, nervous tension, digestive aid, headaches, menstrual cramps, and heart spasms. Because it acts as a sedative, the leaves are also reputed to lower blood pressure. Lemon Balm is an herb that can be given to children and the elderly because of its gentle nature and effectiveness.

Although it is gentle, it is also potent – made into a tea, it encourages sweating to help rid the body of toxins thus relieving such ailments as colds, flu, and fevers. Lemon Balm shows amazing antibacterial and anti-viral properties and has been proven to help combat mumps, cold sores (Herpes simplex) and other viruses. In addition, there have been studies done that have shown the herb to slightly inhibit the thyroid-stimulating hormone and restricts Graves disease, a hyperthyroid condition.

Lemon balm contains antihistamine properties useful for treating eczema and allergic reactions. Externally, the herb is favored for treating insect bites and minor wounds. Lemon Balm can also be used the same way other mints are, for upset stomach and gas. The volatile oils are used in aromatherapy for easing depression and calming nervous tension. It has been suggested that drawing a hot bath with the herb leaves will help women with delayed menses.

Lemon Balm not only helps humans but also dogs, cats and those in the plant kingdom itself. Steep 2 teaspoons of the herb in 1 cup boiling water; spray on houseplants to repel insects and flies. It can be substituted in baking recipes for lemon rind.

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Folklore

In pre-Hellenic mythology, the priestesses of Aphrodite were called Melissa. Aphrodite was regarded as a fertility Goddess and honey cakes shaped as female images were often made for festivals celebrating and honoring this important Goddess. Lemon Balm was known as the “sympathy plant”, accompanied by the belief that drinking it in wine “deterred the bites of venomous beasts”.

The balm has been used in pursuit of romance and in baths to attract love. It only makes sense that its planetary ruler is Venus. Charms can be made and worn to bring a lover into one’s life. Mystical properties include the feminine gender and an association with the moon and water. Balm is a powerful love, success and healing herb. In Arabian herb lore, it is said that the herb can be used to influence love; Pliny stated that its powers so great that “if it was attached to a sword that had made a wound, the blood would be immediately staunched”; ancient Mediterranean cultures believe that by rubbing the herb on beehives, it will bring great success.



The genus ‘Melissa’ is widely diffused, having representatives in Europe, Middle Asia, and North America. The name is from the Greek word signifying ‘bee’, indicative of the attraction the flowers have for those insects, on account of the honey they produce. - Grieve

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HISTORY

A member of the mint family, Lemon Balm is a fragrant herb adored by bees that have a recorded use dating back thousands of years. Melissa even comes from the Greek word for “honey bee”, and was rubbed on beehives to encourage bees to stay together and attract more. Early herbalists, such as Avicenna, coined the term “it makes the heart merry” which it continues to do throughout history. To this day, it is used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Another famous physician, Paracelsus, claimed that the herb could revitalize every part of the body and even had a preparation named primum ens melissae. It was so well known as a healing herb that even such royalty as King Charles V and the Prince of Glamorgan drank the tea every day. The Prince lived to be 108 years old. Because of its reputation to strengthen the heart and lift the spirits, it was an important ingredient in Medieval cordials, also known as “elixirs of youth”.

In fact, the other part of Lemon Balm’s name, officinalis, means “of the workshop”, alluding to the medieval apothecary shop. The leaves steeped in wine and used as a compress have been said to be a potent remedy for scorpion stings. A decoction of the leaves was said to be used as a mouthwash for aching teeth. In Colonial times, lemon balm was used by housewives to add to salad, float in soups, chop in butter and as decorations for main dishes.



This herb is so well known to be an inhabitant in almost every garden, that I shall not need to give any description thereof, although the virtues thereof, which are many, should not be omitted. - Culpeper

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HABITAT

Lemon balm can be found in rich, loamy, sandy soil in sunny fields and along roadsides. 


IDENTIFICATION

Lemon Balm is a perennial with upright, branching stems which are covered in “hairs”, reaching 3 feet in height.  Light green toothed leaves are found growing in opposite pairs at each joint.  White two-lipped flowers bloom in clusters at the axis of the leaves, between June and September.  The second year of growth yields the most leaves.


 RECIPES

Cold and Fever Tonic 

4 tbsp spearmint leaves

1 tbsp yarrow flowers

1 tbsp elderflowers

1 tbsp lemon balm leaves 

In 2 cups of boiled water, steep the above herbs for 15 minutes, covered.  Strain and serve warm or cool.  Drink a half cup at a time, beginning at the onset of symptoms and repeated every few hours until symptoms subside.  Safe for children and adults.

(from Mother Nature’s Herbal by Judy Griffin)

 

Relaxation Tonic 

2 tbsp hops

2 tbsp chamomile flowers

2 tbsp lemon balm

1 tbsp spearmint leaves

1 tsp lavender leaves, chopped (or flowers)

 

Steep in 2 cups of boiled water, covered.  Strain after 10-15 minutes and drink half a cup to 1 cup to relax.   Good to drink when the mind can’t slow down.

(from Mother Nature’s Herbal by Judy Griffin) 


Lemon Balm Vinaigrette

1 Tbsp. shallots, minced

2 Tbsp. lemon balm, minced

1/2 tsp. lemon zest

 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

4 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. brown sugar

8 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Mix first 7 ingredients together, then slowly blend in the oil. Mix well before serving. This is delicious on salads, especially fish or chicken salads. You can also marinate tofu, chicken or fish piece in this mixture before cooking. After cooking, serve the vinaigrette as a sauce. Makes about 2/3 cup.

(from preferredconsumer.com) 

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Cheesecake with Lemon Balm 

Pastry:

1 cup flour

4 Tbsp. butter or margarine

Pinch of salt

 

Filling:

4 Tbsp. butter or margarine

2 Tbsp. honey

12 oz. cream cheese

2 eggs, beaten

6 Tbsp. lemon balm, minced

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. First, make pastry. Sift flour and salt into medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add enough water to make a soft dough. Roll out to line a 7-inch quiche dish. Bake unfilled for 15 minutes. For filling: beat margarine, honey, and cream cheese together in a bowl until soft and creamy. Beat in eggs and fold in lemon balm. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Pour filling into baked pastry shell. Bake for 45 minutes or until filling is golden and set, but not cracked. Serve with whipped cream, or cover the chilled cake with a thin layer of sour cream. Makes 6 servings.

(from preferredconsumer.com)

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I feed lemon balm to all the livestock. They devour it 🐄 🐎 🐑 🐐

I use lemon balm in place of lemon extract in the kitchen.

I dry it for tea blends and make tea from fresh balm as well 🫖

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.1.8.KJV

Well guys I am not one to take animals to the vet but my pets are different from my livestock. Mr. Sam here has been losing alot of weight here lately. He acts normally runs and plays the whole nine but he is skin and bone so if yall feel so inclined send up a prayer for him

So Mr. Sam is still skinny but the doc said he is perfectly healthy. He said that it is probably parasites so he gave us some medicine that is a wormer and an immune booster. He also gave us a list of vegetables that are high in vitamin C so we are now feeding him kale from the garden and cabbage and parsley! If yall will continue to pray for him to put on weight it would be appreciated

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#Yarrow

Medicinal

The list of its medicinal properties is extensive, and the benefits of this ancient healing herb have been supported by a number of studies.

One study, conducted by researchers from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Vienna, demonstrated that its antispasmodic effects may help to soothe symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Long considered by herbalists to be a “blood moving herb,” yarrow has been used to stimulate blood circulation and lower blood pressure.

In herbal medicine terminology, it is known as “amphoteric,” which means it can work in seemingly contradictory ways to help the body achieve homeostasis, or “normalize.”

Due to its styptic and antimicrobial properties, it is famously known for its ability to stop bleeding (when applied directly to a wound), prevent infection, and aid blood circulation when taken internally.

It is often used as a poultice, wash, soak, or salve to relieve pain, and help to heal wounds and injuries of various types.

It can be beneficial in alleviating digestive complaints and symptoms of colds and flu, and is also used to treat hemorrhoids, ease menstrual discomfort and postpartum bleeding, and reduce inflammation in the gums.

The next time you have a toothache, try chewing on a yarrow leaf. Its analgesic properties can help to numb the affected area.

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History/Folklore

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has been used as a primary medicinal herb for thousands of years, and was known as Herba militaris in classical times because of its ability to stop bleeding on the battlefield. Yarrow has a long history of use in many cultures around the world including those of Scandinavia, Asia and Europe.

The mythological history of Yarrow is fascinating; its Latin name comes from Achilles, the legendary Greek warrior, who used Yarrow to heal his soldiers who were wounded in battle. According to herbal legend, Chiron the centaur taught Achilles how to use the herb, which was said to have grown from the rust on his spear. Yarrow is also associated with Aphrodite, Hermes, and the European Horned God. However, this is not the earliest appearance of Yarrow in history, as it was even found (along with other medicinal plants) in a grave at a Neanderthal burial ground.

Yarrow was used in many traditions, and has many different meanings. In the Victorian language of flowers, Yarrow can represent both war and healing. This herb has been used in magical traditions for contacting or seeking out a specific person and in divination and love spells. An ancient Asian saying states that “Wherever Yarrow grows, one need not fear wild beasts or poisonous plants.” The I Ching even uses Yarrow stalks in its ritual.

Yarrow has many medicinal uses in contemporary herbalism. It can be taken internally as a mildly bitter aromatic tea to stimulate digestion. Yarrow can also be applied externally to help with different kinds of inflammatory skin conditions. In addition, the tonic/astringent action of Yarrow supports a normal menstrual cycle by helping reduce excess bleeding and easing menstrual cramps.

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Herbal Uses

Harvest flower clusters when plants are in full bloom, cutting the top third of the plant just above a leaf node.

Leaves and flowers can be steeped in boiling water to make tea, and are best used fresh when applied as poultices for treating minor wounds.

You can dry foliage and flowers using a dehydrator, spread or hang them to air dry, or place them in the oven on the “warm” setting. Once they are thoroughly dried, it is easy to strip the leaves and flowers off the stems.

Both the dried leaves and the flowers can be consumed internally as a tea, preserved in tinctures, or infused into oils to make salves and creams.

Yarrow tea has a sweet and mildly bitter, aromatic flavor. It makes a wonderful addition to the herbal medicine cabinet to alleviate mild symptoms of colds and flu, as well as minor digestive complaints.

INFUSED OIL
Making an infused oil with yarrow is easy, and this serves as a useful treatment for wounds, inflamed muscles, and bruises. Its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties may help to reduce varicose vein swelling in some cases.

Just grind up some dried leaves and flowers, place them in a glass jar, and cover with a carrier oil in a 1:4 ratio, with one part dried plant matter and four parts oil.

Seal the jar tightly with a lid and set it in a dark place for a few weeks, shaking daily to agitate the mixture.

You can also choose to leave the jar in the sun to heat infuse for the first few days. Be sure to move it to a cool, dark location for the remainder of the infusing time.

After 4-6 weeks, strain the oil and use it as is, or try melting in some beeswax and essential oils to make an herbal salve. This can be stored in tins or jars in a cool, dark place.

TINCTURE
You can also make a tincture from the dried leaves and flowers. As described above, grind them up, place them in a glass jar, and cover with 80 proof (or higher) alcohol.

Leave it to infuse for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dark place.

Strain, and place in a labeled dropper bottle. The tincture can be used as a mosquito repellent when applied to the skin, but always make sure you test it on a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin.

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#Yarrow

I feed yarrow to the livestock 🐄 🐎 🐑 🐐

It is my go to herb for any kind of wound on the skin.

I make teas from the dried blossoms and stems.

I scramble it in eggs and add to hummus and salads.🥗🥗

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.44.KJV