Melissa is a perennial plant of the family clearing. It reaches 80 cm in height, has a light pleasant aroma. Melissa is a branched bush, which can be clearly seen on the photo of the plant. Most often used for medicinal purposes.
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How useful is melissa tea -
Melissa: useful properties for women -
Where to apply lemon balm -
Where to apply lemon balm -
Melissa in folk medicine
Description of plant
Melissa is actively used as a medicine, and as a condiment for thousands of years. In modern times, its growth can be observed in Central and Southern Europe, the Caucasus, Asia. Africa and South America.
A characteristic feature of the plant is the light aroma of lemon, so sometimes it is called lemon balm. It is used as a spice in the kitchens of different countries of the world. It is added to salads, soups, fish, meat dishes.
In modern pharmacology based on lemon balm, a large number of drugs are produced. Essential oils of plants are used in perfumery, distillery, food, chemical industry.
The branched plant has an erect tetrahedral stem. Blossoms in small flowers of a pinkish hue. Usually only lemon balm leaves are used.
Photo of the balm
Varieties
Melissa officinalis has many varieties. The most common are:
- Pearl. Used for making tea, vinegars, and also as an aromatic additive to alcoholic beverages. The period from planting to harvest is 2 months.
- Isidora. A distinctive feature is the dynamic growth of this plant variety. Flowering occurs in the second year. Has a strong smell of lemon.
- Dosage. In one place is grown up to 5 years. It has a weak lemon flavor. Leaves are dark green with jagged edges.
- Quadrille. It is a half-closed and raised rosette of leaves. The saturated aroma comes from the flowers of a lilac shade.
- Lada. During flowering, flowers of various colors can appear: from cream color to a dark purple hue. The bushes are not very high - up to 60 cm in height.
- Lemon flavor. It grows quite quickly - the harvest can be harvested after a month. The bush has a strong, rich flavor, so it is most often used as a perfume or tea preparation.
- Freshness. Has dark green leaves with serrate edges, during flowering flowers grow with a light bluish tinge.
- The Tsaritsyn sem. Leaves of this plant variety are small light green egg-shaped. They have an obvious characteristic smell of lemon. Blossoms with white flowers.
Regardless of the variety, the plant has many useful properties.
Cultivation at home
All varieties of this plant can be grown not only on lawns and household plots, but also at home. How does the room melissa grow? In order for the leaves of the plant in the flower pot to be more aromatic, you should choose a sunny place. In winter, when there is a lack of such light, you can use a fluorescent lamp. The optimum temperature for lemon balm is + 25 ° C. Under such conditions, bright and fragrant leaves grow.
As for the soil for growing room melissa, then it is enough for ordinary garden land. After all, the plant is unpretentious to the soil. Water the plant better 3 times a week, not forgetting that growing leaves also require moisture. Therefore spraying from an atomizer is an integral part of care for the melissa.
It's important to remember! In winter, the plant should be sent to a heated balcony or loggia! There the conditions will be more comfortable.
Melissa difference from mint
Very often people confuse these plants because of their similar appearance and taste. But there are significant differences:
- Appearance. Mint, in contrast to lemon balm, has a straight stem with spiked flowers, and the maximum height is slightly larger.
- Fragrance. Peppermint has a clear menthol odor. Is a good aphrodisiac. Melissa has a lemon flavor, which is expressed depending on the plant variety.
- Essential oils. Mint plant has much more of them. Have a tonic effect on the body. Essential oils of lemon balm have a calming effect.
- Growth. Mint is distributed in many regions, it is unpretentious to low temperatures. Melissa is more common in the southern regions. He prefers warmer places.
It's important to know! The ability to distinguish these plants will help them correctly apply! This is a very important aspect when used as a medicine.
Useful properties of
Since ancient times, the versatile use of this plant is known. It has always been used to prepare various broths, tinctures and other medicines. After all, it has a soothing, analgesic, anticonvulsant effect. And also the use of lemon balm improves the work of the gastrointestinal tract and increases appetite.
In modern times, balm is used to treat such diseases:
- hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders;
- neurosis;
- bronchial asthma;
- regular headaches;
- sleep disorders;
- pain in the abdomen;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- skin rashes or purulent formations;
- anemia.
It is an excellent basis for inhalation, therefore it is actively used in the treatment of colds. And also helps to restore a normal hormonal background in women.
It's important to remember! Before applying melissa as a remedy, consult a specialist! After all, it has some contraindications.
Plant application for medicinal purposes
This plant is the basis for the preparation of various medications that can be made at home. The most common recipes are:
- Infusion. For its preparation, 4 tbsp.l.the original ingredient, which should be filled with 1 glass of steep boiling water. Infuse for 1 hour, then drain. Take 100 ml of the medicine twice a day.
- Decoction. It should take 1 tbsp.l.of this plant, pour 1 cup of boiling water. Put in a water bath and simmer for about 10 minutes. The prepared broth is required to cool and drain. Eat 1 tbsp.l.before eating 3 times a day.
- Tea.3 tsp.dried melissa should be filled with 1 glass of steep boiling water. Cool the fluid and take 200 ml 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening.
- Tincture. For preparation it is required a balm and medical alcohol. Proportion 1: 5.Cap tightly cap and insist in a cool dark place for 1 week.
It's important to remember! Observe the dosage of the prepared medicines as recommended by the doctor!
Contraindications to the use of
The main contraindication to use is the individual intolerance of this plant. And also it is necessary to abstain from people with such ailments:
- disrupting the liver system;
- epilepsy;
- ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- pregnancy and lactation.
It is also better to refrain from eating to children under 3 years old. Now you know what a melissa looks like and what properties it has.