How to brew tea with lemon balm: benefits and contraindications of the drink

Consider a drink to which popular rumor has long attributed a miraculous medicinal effect.

Tea with lemon balm: benefits and harms, composition, brewing options, positive properties and contraindications.

We also suggest finding out in what quantities it can be enjoyed and what its excessive use threatens.

Learn more about the plant

Melissa is a perennial herb that has been used in medicine for over 2,000 years, mainly in folk, although it also has a scientific application.

For example, today it is in demand in aromatherapy and cosmetology: it is added to masks and creams, pleasantly smelling and soothing mixtures.

She also found her niche in cooking: she is a frequent addition to desserts and a popular version of the decor of ready-made dishes.

Plant description

At its core it is & laquo; sister & raquo; mint & ndash; a close relative with a very similar look and smell of leaves.

The taste and aroma of lemongrass is felt, due to which the bouquet is very rich, fresh and well recognizable.

Melis blooms in the summer, usually from June to August, fruits & ndash; are black shiny large nuts & ndash; ripen until September.

It is characterized by relatively low winter hardiness, visually also resembles a cat's cat.

By the way, to distinguish grass from other similar essential crops, you just need to smell it & ndash; this is the surest way. Most often, hot drinks are brewed from it, but they also make decoctions and tinctures based on it.

Chemical composition

Now we care about the leaves of the plant, and they contain the following components:

• essential oils saturated with monoterpenes, which include linalool, geraniol, myrcene, nerol, geranyl acetate, citronellal and others;

• bioflavonoids & ndash; luteolin, aligenin, rhamnocitrin, cinaroside, cosmosiin;

• organic acids & ndash; rosemary, para-coumaric, coffee, ferulic, chlorogenic, synaptic;

• vitamins A, B (B1, B2) C (beta-carotene) groups;

• tannins and aromatic lactones (coumarins);

• trace elements & ndash; iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, magnesium.

During harvesting, the upper part is cut off, then it is dried in a ventilated room, into which direct sunlight does not penetrate. After that, the stem is thrown away, and the leaves are crushed and then stored in a suitable container (glass jar, canvas bag), using as needed.

What are the benefits of green and black tea with lemon balm & nbsp;

We immediately note that this drink has a cumulative effect: the advantages of its regular use will not manifest themselves immediately, but after a while. In general, it will have the following positive effects:

• sedative & ndash; calm nerves, relieve stress, relieve depression;

• antispasmodic & ndash; relieves severe headache or even negates migraine;

• delicate diuretic & ndash; fights overweight with a healthy way to lose weight;

• Decongestant & ndash; remove excess fluid from the body;

• mild laxative & ndash; normalizes the gastrointestinal tract;

• antiallergic & ndash; will cope well with rashes, redness of the skin, itching, dermatitis and similar reactions;

• anti-inflammatory & ndash; will help with both respiratory and genitourinary problems.

Separately, we note that this herb helps heal abrasions, scratches, shallow wounds, relieves spasms and asthma attacks.

Having such complex properties, a hot drink based on it has found distribution in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, thrombophlebitis, colds, viral infections (including influenza, herpes, measles), neuroses, stress.

Also, its regular use is recommended for problems with the digestive system, hypertension, tachycardia, insomnia, weakened immunity, manifested eczema, tormented trophic ulcers.

Can Melissa be pregnant and breastfeeding

The expectant mother should be calm, because the doctor observing her, most likely, will not only allow, but even advise her such tea & ndash; to:

• stabilize hormonal background;

• reduce toxicosis;

• normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, get rid of diarrhea or constipation;

• strengthen the immune system, harmlessly increasing the body's resistance to infections;

• reduce possible edematous phenomena;

• Improve overall emotional well-being and sleep.

As a rule, you can drink a drink on the most common grounds, but for reinsurance it is better to consult with the doctor leading the pregnancy and get his consent.

During the feeding period, mom is also recommended to enjoy a cup or two of this delicious herbal decoction every day (in the absence of contraindications). Because it not only stabilizes the hormonal background, but also accelerates metabolic processes. Increased metabolism will prolong lactation.

The positive effect on the female body indirectly acts on the child, improving his digestion and sleep, calming.

How old can lemon balm be given to children

Experts are divided on this issue.

Some doctors believe that after 4 months of life, it is already permissible to introduce various decoctions (including this one) into the diet of a baby.

Others argue that a baby should eat only mom's milk for up to six months, since it has all the necessary substances, and everything else & ndash; already superfluous.

Still others generally believe that herbal drinks are allowed on a child's menu only after the age of 3.

Hence the simple conclusion: parents should consult a pediatrician. The responsible family doctor will review the case in detail and make a competent recommendation.

After 3 years, herbal tea can already be drunk on a general basis, and it will be useful for an overactive child, as it will have a mild effect on his nervous system, delicately calm, give a healthy sleep, normalize digestion, strengthen immunity (which is especially important during vitamin deficiency and acute spread of viruses).

Plus, it will help improve the student's memory, increase concentration and perseverance, the quality of assimilation and memorization of educational material.

How to procure

Stocking up for winter is easy:

• You collect the plant in June, when it has already reached biological maturity. Cut off leaves and stems, and in the morning (when the dew is already dried, but the sun does not bake yet) and always in clear and dry weather.

• Wash the crop under running water and thinly, but evenly spread out on a board (or on another suitable wide, flat, flat surface). Or, alternatively, knit into small bundles and hang.

• Dry, either in the air (but always in the shade, and if the humidity level is not too high outdoors), or in a warm and ventilated room.

You can also cut the collected into small pieces, put it on a baking sheet and send it to the oven (attention, with the door open) for a couple of hours.

Storage

It is convenient to keep the stock in a glass and hermetically sealed container or in a canvas bag. So the grass will not lose its taste and aroma for a long time.

But you just need to periodically check it for mold. If you notice the very first signs of rot on the leaves, immediately throw out & ndash; using such a brew is already dangerous.

Therefore, as you understand, it is better to store a crushed and dried plant not in one container, but in different ones, so that high humidity in the room or tricks of insect pests can leave you only without part of the collected medicine.

Lemon balm tea: pregnancy recipe

The recipe is very simple:

• take two small spoons of dry or fresh lemon mint leaves (the second common name for this wonderful herb);

• Fill them with 200 ml of water at a temperature of 80 0S, cover and let it brew for 12-15 minutes, after which you filter.

Similarly, you get a two-serving brew.

Fill a 100 ml cup, dilute with boiling water, add natural honey to taste (you can also a couple more drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice, if there are no contraindications) and enjoy.

The product prepared in this way will have all the advantages that the expectant mother needs, that is, to calm the nerves, keep hormones in check, help digestion, and so on.

It is worth taking once a day, at night, preparing for sleep. The taste will be delicate and pleasant enough.

How to brew lemon balm to soothe

An effective prescription for those who suffer from insomnia, suffer from irritability, and are often nervous about and without.

The recipe is as simple as possible:

• Pour one small spoonful of dried and crushed grass into a cup (can be bought at any pharmacy);

• pour 250 ml of hot water (take not boiling water, but a liquid with a temperature of 75-80 degrees);

• brew for 10 minutes, no more.

And that's it, you can enjoy it by adding honey and lime juice, or by avoiding sweeteners and acidulants altogether.

The beauty of the drink is that it is good both warm and chilled, which means it is suitable all year round.

The only constraint is & ndash; possible contraindications, such as hypotension.

What is the value of lemon balm in women's tea

Melissa helps not only expectant or nursing mothers, but also ladies in general at any age.

Its regular use helps to normalize the menstrual cycle and relieve unpleasant symptoms of PMS, as well as align the psycho-emotional and hormonal backgrounds.

Those who are in an interesting position and are expecting a child should drink this decoction for toxicoses and hypersensitivity & ndash; it will reduce nausea and excessive irritability.

Add a positive impact on digestion and metabolism.

We have already written about the extension of the lactation period, but there is another plus, which is to reduce anxiety & ndash; feelings that are frequent for the nursing and lead to the loss of milk.

Pediatricians recommend enjoying a cup of fragrant drink half an hour before giving the baby breasts.

The importance of the plant is difficult to exaggerate for those with menopause.

In this life phase, grass helps relax nerves, relieve tension from muscles, making it easier for the body to rebuild.

For genitourinary problems, its anti-inflammatory effect is simply invaluable.

Phytochai: lemon balm for weight loss

Since lemon mint has a diuretic and laxative effect (pay attention, delicate), with its help you can fight excess weight, and effectively and in a way that is safe for health.

Both women and men can lose several kilograms in a month if they arm themselves with the following simple recipe:

• take Sen Cha or Ganpauder or any other good green tea , which you personally like;

• add crushed and dried grass to it at the rate of 1-2 tablespoons per pack;

• pour boiling water and infuse this mixture, drink it daily for 4-5 cups (up to 1 liter) and burn extra centimeters at the hips and waist.

Naturally, obesity can only be defeated with an integrated approach. Therefore, such herbal medicine must be combined with a diet (agreed with a personal doctor), as well as with a healthy and mobile lifestyle.

Yes, in parallel, you need to eat right and play sports, get rid of bad habits & ndash; only then can you hope for good results.

How to brew lemon balm tea correctly

There are several ways to brew tea with lemon balm, and they depend on what kind of tea you are dealing with.

For example, & nbsp; & ldquo; Crimean tea & rdquo; on the basis of black tea with the addition of lemon balm, mint and lavender, it is advisable to brew in the classic way, letting it brew for no more than 6 minutes. & nbsp;

However, if you want to brew lemon balm & nbsp; in order to add it to other drinks, it is better to use the second method.

So we have two options.

Important also & nbsp; consider which tea is the basis of the blend - black or green. & nbsp;

Black must be brewed with boiling water 100 degrees, while green - with water cooled to 85-90 degrees.

Classic:

1. Pour 1.5-2 small spoons of lemon balm with hot water;

2. Let it stand in a closed container for 10-50 minutes;

3. if necessary, dilute the resulting brew with hot water (to taste and strength) and enjoy.

Decoction:

1. repeat the first step completely, just prepare any required volume (in the proportion of 20 g of the mixture per 250 ml of liquid);

2. languish such a composition in a water bath for up to three minutes, remove from heat, wrap, leave for two hours;

3. Heat to a suitable temperature before use, optionally adding then lemon, honey, possibly even cinnamon.

Try both & ndash; this will make it easier to decide which one is closer and more convenient for you.

Home Use

From a dried or fresh plant can be made:

• Tea & ndash; mixing lemon mint with your favorite green or black variety and brewing according to the already described scheme.

• Decoction & ndash; bringing the crushed leaves to the desired state in a steam bath using the above method.

• Tincture on vodka & ndash; filling prepared raw materials with alcohol in a proportion of 150-200 ml for every 50 g.

Moreover, you can even personally grow grass bushes & ndash; it's easy.

Take the usual long flower boxes & ndash; spring, best in early March.

Fill them with earth, just make sure that it is neutral acidity, loose, well permeable to moisture and air & ndash; you can even fertilize it with vermiculite or perlite.

Prepare a uniform layer of soil, make shallow holes with 5 cm gaps and plant seeds.

Wait 10-20 days to germinate, remembering to water and maintain a stable temperature of + 10 degrees.

Just be prepared for the fact that the plant will unfold suitable leaves only in the second year, and before that it must be looked after: provide sufficient lighting, natural solar or using a lamp, often and abundantly water in summer (but do not allow stagnation of water in the boxes in winter so as not to rot roots).

Contraindications

Now that you know the benefits of lemon balm and how to make tea from it, let's look at those cases in which it is not worth doing.

So, doctors prohibit the use of lemon mint for those who have at least one of the following problems:

• vegetovascular dystonia or hypotonia & ndash; it lowers blood pressure;

• significant disorders of the central nervous system;

• duodenal and/or gastric ulcer;

• allergy, hypersensitivity, individual intolerance.

Separately, we note that abuse leads to weakness, loss of strength, dizziness, and a decrease in concentration.

Can I drink lemon balm for gastritis

Yes, because the infusion based on this plant relieves painful symptoms due to the relaxing effect on smooth muscles, and also protects the mucous membranes, calms the central nervous system. But keep in mind that this is just an additional remedy, not a cure for stomach inflammation.

The recipe is as simple as possible: three small spoons of raw materials need to be poured with 250 ml of boiling water, let brew for 20 minutes, strain. Accept & ndash; 100 mL daily as recommended by your doctor.

Is lemon balm tea good for diabetes

Yes, modern nutritionists believe that it will help, as it will speed up metabolism, make red blood cells and lymphocytes more actively renew, cleanse the body as a whole, normalize blood pressure and gastrointestinal function. By ensuring proper digestion and improving health, this herb will contribute to the fight against the 21st century sugar plague.

What's better - lemon mint or regular

This question cannot be answered universally because the two plants must be used differently.

The first has a sedative effect, while the second & ndash; tonic.

Both herbs can be combined in collections, with the same caution about not exceeding the recommended dosages.

Conclusion

Now that you know what lemon balm tea is, the benefits and contraindications of the drink, you have all the information to decide whether to drink it. Personally, we & ndash; for regular use of it when it does not contradict the recommendations of doctors.