1. More Than Lip Gloss
Skin products come to mind when we hear the term "lip balm" but balm has a much older history than just its presence in the makeup aisle. Balm is an herb officially called "Melissa officinalis" but more commonly known as lemon balm. Used to flavor teas and food since biblical times, it is also valued for its lemony scent. Find it in lip balms and other cosmetics today. Lemon balm has a much more important role in history than as a garnish or scent and it is an herbal treatment for a wide range of physical ailments including digestive disorders, insomnia and other ailments.
2. Calm Your Nerves
Mix lemon balm with valerian or chamomile to relax and promote a better night's sleep. Take lemon balm capsules, extracts or essential oils for health. Another option is to add herbs from your garden to tea or other food to reduce stress and improve your mood. Studies are inconclusive whether it is the lemon balm alone or the mix of lemon balm with other calming herbs that produces a calming effect. Try this herbal remedy yourself to see if it calms your nerves and helps you sleep.
3. Heal Lip Sores
Treat redness and swelling caused by herpes simplex virus with topical creams that contain lemon balm. Treatment with lemon balm may not cure your lip sores or reduce pain but it is effective in reducing swelling and redness. Dab a bit of lemon balm tea on your cold sores with a cotton ball for quick relief. Lemon balm creams not widely available in the United States can be found in Europe.
4. Stop the Bloat
Use lemon balm to reduce gas, bloating and to treat other digestive ailments. Lemon balm tea has a reputation for solving a variety of digestive problems. Historically, lemon balm was used for wounds and insect bites. Today, evidence is reported of lemon balm improving conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity and hyperthyroidism. Lemon balm alone may improve concentration. Studies to determine if lemon balm has antioxidant and anti-HIV properties are underway but generally there is little hard evidence on lemon balm's medicinal properties.
5. What's in Lemon Balm?
The essential oils of lemon balm contain terpenes, a chemical thought to assist in the herbs calming effect. Eugenol, found in lemon balm, calms muscle spasms, numbs tissue and kills bacteria. Tannins present in the herb may have antiviral properties. The ancients may have had some reason to think lemon balm a wonder drug. Look for eugenol or tannins in your balm if you need it to contain calming or healing properties.
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