Melissa is a plant belonging to the family of Sponges that is a real boon for lovers of unusual fragrances. It is used in many dishes, for cosmetic purposes and as a medicinal herb. Once you have planted a lemon balm plant, the air is filled with a pleasant combination of mint and citrus aromas with hints of honey, and as it is a perennial, it will provide a pleasant scent for many years. Bees love this plant and for this reason it is called ‘bee mint’. Melissa is a perennial plant. The rhizome is strongly branched. The stem is branched, tetrahedral, up to 120 cm tall. The leaves are large, opposite, ovate, crenate-serrate, pubescent at the edge.
What is Melissa officinalis used for?
Melissa is widely used as an antispasmodic, a digestive regulator, especially for flatulence, and as an analgesic. Recommended for migraine, insomnia, painful menstruation, skin rashes. There are three subspecies of Melissa officinalis (subsp. Inodora Bornm., subsp. Altissima Arcangeli, subsp. officinalis). Of these, only subsp. officinalis is lemon scented and is used for treatment and other purposes. The other two subspecies are not preferred in the treatment field because they are odorless or malodorous.
What are the nutritional values of the lemon balm plant?
The lemon balm plant, which is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, fiber and tannin, is rich in flavonoids, that is, plant nutrients that carry out the antioxidant function in the human body. There are 42 kcal calories in 100 grams of lemon balm, and 2 calories in 1 pinch, that is, 3 grams. There are 5 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 3.5 grams of protein, 0.8 grams of fat in 100 grams of lemon balm. In addition, 100 grams of it contains 667.0 IU of vitamin A, 45.0 milligrams of vitamin C, 400.0 milligrams of potassium, 150.0 milligrams of calcium, and 2.0 milligrams of iron.
How to care for the lemon balm plant?
The plant is most comfortable in full sun, although it can also grow in diffused light. But it will be particularly fragrant in a sunny area. It needs weeding and loosening of the soil. Mulching will also help to prevent weed growth and retain moisture.
Watering lemon balm Watering and humidity, Water the melissa plant 3 times a week. For more greenery, the plant should not bloom. When it has reached a height of 20-25 cm and the flower buds are starting to appear, prune them all off to increase lateral branching. Cut the greenery 2-3 times during the summer.
Melissa plant temperature requests, It is important to know that melissa prefers long days of light and good illumination when selecting a suitable location in the home. A sunny side window sill will therefore be ideal.
How should the lemon balm plant soil be? Choose a sunny or slightly shaded location with fertile, well-drained, loose soil (loamy sand, for example). The soil reaction can be neutral or slightly acidic.
How to care for melissa flower?
There are no special techniques for caring for this plant. It all comes down to regular watering, especially during droughts. However, excessive watering can have a negative effect on its growth. Like all plants, melissa needs soil loosening and weeding. Fertilising is recommended after cutting. Nitrogen and potassium fertiliser, chicken manure or manure are the best choices for this. When cutting, leave at least 10 cm of the melissa above the soil. In areas where the soil is not fertile, the melissa bushes should be covered during the winter.
How is melissa flower produced? Melissa can be propagated by the cuttings. In this case, cut off the apical part of the young shoots and place them in the water. After 1.5 to 2 weeks, the roots will emerge and the plants will be planted in loose, fertile soil. In outdoor cultivation, site selection is very important.
Melissa flower harvest time? The young melissa is harvested before it flowers, from about the end of May to the beginning of July. If the plant is less than three years old, it has not yet regained its vigour, so it is best not to cut it off, but only pick off the leaves carefully. Melissa over three years old can be harvested later, at the time of flowering. Can you eat lemon balm flowers? >>
What are the pests of the lemon balm plant?
Melissa is virtually immune to disease and pest attacks. However, improper indoor care can have irreversible consequences. Sluggish, dry and drooping leaves are a signal of too much moisture. Most pests do not like melissa due to its peculiar scent. These include thrips, whitefly, spider mite and scale. But unlike outdoor cultivation, the chances of pests in the house are minimal.
How should the lemon balm plant be consumed?
Melissa officinalis can be taken orally, in the form of tablets or herbal tea, or by topical application (creams and oils). The leaves can also be used fresh, not yet dried. The areas where melissa herb is widely used are as follows; Tea can be made alone or with medicinal plants such as chamomile and St. John’s Wort. Its fresh leaves can be added to cold drinks, especially in summer. The leaves can be added to soups, fish dishes, pilafs and fruit salads and salads. You can benefit from its relaxing effect by adding it to the bath water. The leaves can be crushed and made into a paste and used as a therapeutic against insect bites. How do you eat lemon balm herb? >>
Can I drink lemon balm tea everyday?