One of the most common, sustainable and accessible herbs around, lemon balm is a dear favorite of mine.

🌱

Lemon balm, scientifically known as Melissa officinalis, is a gentle mint relative and will thaiad anywhere it can once it's taken place in your garden. In my opinion, this is great because I prefer the fresh leaves as a tea. For this plant, fresh is best. In the summer months, a sun-warmed tea of the fresh leaves then poured over ice makes a delectable refreshment.

🌱

Known for its lemony scent and taste, this plant contains essential oils like limonene and other constituents such as a high content of rosmarinic acid, an anti-inflammatory compound. Lemon balm is often a go-to topical anti-inflammatory oil for this reason.

🌱

Although, if any a plant that could handle it, Melissa might stand a chance...perennial and herbaceous, she can withstand being totally harvested to the ground and pop right back again in a few weeks' time.

🌱

One of my favorite tinctures for daily use, lemon balm is great for gentle mood uplifting, sustaining a lighter energy. You can see its playful vibrancy in the leaves, such light gentleness to share with us.

🌱

It's a strong #antiviral herb as well, great for the cold, flu (ahem coronavirus), and the more rampant viruses such as #herpessimplex --shingles and cold sores as well. Science has shown that ingesting lemon balm daily, outbreaks are less frequent and also have shorter duration. So loooad up on that lemon balm tea and fresh tincture !

🌱

Gentleness and playfulness are the feels of this friendly plant. Certainly on the safer side--often in pregnancy, postpartum and child blends. I gave fresh lemon balm and catnip glycerite to Xochi when she was an infant to soothe her at bedtime.

🌱

For foodies out there, try some fresh lemon balm-infused honey or throw a sprig on your pad thai, it's delicious !