Ah yes, Lemon Balm. It's all over my garden. It's even crowded out my Bee Balm...
But, years ago, my first Lemon Balm plant was used in part to make a tea that calmed my nervous system. I've also used it over the years to mitigate Shingles infections. (It is a powerful anti-herpetic viral remedy.)
But a warning, I have also found that overly high level consumption can leave me with muscle and joint discomfort. A small amount goes a long way!
Hello Mardi! I first began growing it to put on my fever blisters. Interesting to know about the associated pains. Thanks for sharing! I wonder if it's high in oxalates???? If so, I wonder if taking it with citrate forms of Mg, K, and/or Ca might help with that?
According to this, shorter brew times may also be helpful.
"Higher concentration of oxalate was found in lemon balm infusions than in horsetail. Prolonged brewing time resulted in higher oxalate levels in the infusions. Calcium and magnesium were leached to horsetail infusions to a greater degree than to lemon balm tea. Ca and Mg levels were not affected by brewing time. Calcium and magnesium concentrations were higher in lemon balm looseleaf tea than in tea bags. No such relationship was found in horsetail infusion. In the latter oxalate concentration was balanced with the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. In lemon balm infusions oxalate ion concentration was higher than calcium and magnesium levels."
Ah yes, Lemon Balm. It's all over my garden. It's even crowded out my Bee Balm...
But, years ago, my first Lemon Balm plant was used in part to make a tea that calmed my nervous system. I've also used it over the years to mitigate Shingles infections. (It is a powerful anti-herpetic viral remedy.)
But a warning, I have also found that overly high level consumption can leave me with muscle and joint discomfort. A small amount goes a long way!
Hello Mardi! I first began growing it to put on my fever blisters. Interesting to know about the associated pains. Thanks for sharing! I wonder if it's high in oxalates???? If so, I wonder if taking it with citrate forms of Mg, K, and/or Ca might help with that?
According to this, shorter brew times may also be helpful.
"Higher concentration of oxalate was found in lemon balm infusions than in horsetail. Prolonged brewing time resulted in higher oxalate levels in the infusions. Calcium and magnesium were leached to horsetail infusions to a greater degree than to lemon balm tea. Ca and Mg levels were not affected by brewing time. Calcium and magnesium concentrations were higher in lemon balm looseleaf tea than in tea bags. No such relationship was found in horsetail infusion. In the latter oxalate concentration was balanced with the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. In lemon balm infusions oxalate ion concentration was higher than calcium and magnesium levels."
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323080496_Oxalate_calcium_and_magnesium_content_in_melissa_officinalis_l_And_equisetum_arvense_l_Infusions