Printable Version
When I showed my husband, the Rabbi, the two
different types of melissa growing in our garden, he agreed with me that the
blessing on their scent is different for each type. The stronger, tougher,
bushy kind, which can grow to the height of a 2-year-old boy (2 ½ feet), is a
hardy perennial. Despite my efforts to cut it down to keep it from taking over,
it remains in our garden year after year. In addition, it has a hard woody
stem.
Lemon balm is very effective for treating herpes
simplex virus (HSV) both because of its antiviral properties as well as its
ability to reduce the stress associated with herpes outbreaks. Essential oils
made from lemon balm leaves contain plant chemicals called terpenes, which
contribute to the herb’s relaxing and antiviral effects. Studies suggest that
topical applications containing lemon balm may help heal lip sores associated with
herpes (Schnitzler P1,
Schuhmacher A, Astani A, Reichling J.). In one study of 116 people with
HSV, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores experienced
significant improvement in redness and swelling after only two days. Lemon balm
“reduces the time needed to heal cold sores by roughly half,” according to
certified nutritional consultant Phyllis Balch in her book Prescription for
Herbal Healing. For cold or herpes sores, steep 2 to 4 tsp. of crushed
leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool. Apply tea with
cotton balls to the sores throughout the day. I have treated my cold soars by
sticking bruised melissa leaves to my lips.
Calming, Sweet, Honeybee Herb
Two kinds of lemon balm grow in my garden – a tall
aggressive kind that keeps competing with the roses, and a delicate, smaller
one, mild enough to give to babies and use in salads and smoothies. Although
for most herbs, I use the English rather than Latin name, ‘Melissa’ – which is
also a name for a girl – seems to flow better than, ‘lemon balm.’ Perhaps, it
is because melissa is a derivation of the Greek word for honeybee. The sweet
fragrance of the leaves and its tiny whitish flowers attract bees. Therefore,
growing melissa is an invitation for more bees, pollination and flowers.
Melissa is known to be a calming herb that reduces stress and anxiety, promotes
sleep, calms the stomach and alleviates colic. Since lemon balm is one of the
best herbs for treating most acute children’s diseases, I used it for my baby.
After the students complained that teaching while bouncing a baby in the
backpack was distracting, I had to leave my six-month-old with a babysitter. My
poor attachment-baby had separation anxiety and wouldn’t stop crying, so I made
a mixture of apple-juice and melissa tea to calm him. I’m sorry to admit that
it proved ineffective. Not to depreciate from melissa’s medicinal value, which
includes strong antibacterial and antiviral qualities, I have also had good
results using the leaves of the hardier kind for polishing our wooden coffee
table. With all of lemon balm’s versatile properties, are there any Torah
teachings that relate to lemon balm?
Variant Blessings for Two Types of
the Same Herb
Therefore, before enjoying its scent, the blessing
is the same as the blessing for rosemary,
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה הָשֵׁם אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא עֲצֵי
בְשָׂמִים
Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha’olam boreh
atzei besamim
‘Blessed are You Hashem… Creator of fragrant
trees.’
Yet, the smaller, delicate lemon balm has a soft
stem, grows close to the grown like grass and usually does not make it through
our tough winters. The blessing on its sweet lemony fragrance is therefore,
בָּרוּךְ
אַתָּה הָשֵׁם אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא עִשְּבֵּי בְּשָֹמִים
Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha’olam boreh
isvei besamim
‘Blessed are You Hashem… Creator of fragrant
herbs.’
I found it quite interesting that different types
of the same herb could have different blessings. Although both have similar
leaves and their fragrance strongly resembles the uplifting scent of
lemon, the tougher type is more tart and acrid, while the milder type is
sweeter. I enjoy smelling both kinds of lemon balm as I brush by them in my
garden.
Emotional Healer, Mood Balancer and
Mental Strengthener
Lemon balm has been cultivated in the Mediterranean
region for about 2000 years. For centuries, herbal writers have praised this
calmative herb for its ability to balance feelings, and help resolve moodiness
and melancholia. The Greek physician, Dioscorides, would apply lemon balm to
scorpion or animal bites for its antibacterial properties, and then give the
patients wine infused with lemon balm to calm their nerves. Lemon balm steeped
in wine was used to lift the spirits since ancient times. It is still used
today in aromatherapy to combat depression. It is associated with the energies
of the moon and therefore helps balance emotions. It allows us to perceive our
feelings without getting lost and wrapped up in them. The Muslim herbalist,
Avicenna, recommended lemon balm “to make the heart merry.” “...[Lemon Balm]
causeth the mind and heart to be Merry...and driveth away all troublesome
cares” (Culpeper, mid-17th Century). Lemon balm tea soothes emotional pains
after a relationship ends. It also helps heal people suffering from mental or
nervous disorders. Moreover, melissa is useful for individuals with a sound
mind who need to keep their mental abilities in superior condition. Its
sedative properties and pleasing scent make it a popular ingredient in herbal
pillows to promote relaxation and sound sleep. Lemon balm may also be used as a
bathing herb, by scattering its delightfully scented leaves over the water, or
by pouring an infusion to mix with the bath. Today, lemon balm is often
combined with other calming, soothing herbs, such as valerian, to enhance the
overall relaxing effect.
Healing Herpes
Culinary, Cosmetic & Curative
Lemon balm, with its delicate lemon scent and
flavor is true to its name: citrusy and fresh. Londoners of Elizabethan times
would carry small bouquets, called ‘Tussie Mussies,’ filled with aromatic herbs
and flowers, including lemon balm, which they would frequently sniff to
disguise the horrible stench of their unsanitary conditions. Due to
citronellal, lemon balm is also a mild mosquito repellant. As an excellent carminative herb, that
relieves spasms in the digestive tract, lemon balm improves
digestion. If you occasionally succumb to overeating, go straight to the garden
and pluck a handful of the tender young leaves for tea. You can use fresh
sprigs to top drinks and as a garnish on salads and main dishes. Fresh or dried
leaves make a refreshing tea, either iced or hot. The taste of the leaves adds
the perfect tangy note to fruit salads. For an eye-catching garnish, freeze
small melissa leaves into ice cubes to serve in lemonade. Due to melissa’s
versatile properties, it is not surprising that French King Charles V of the 14th
century drank lemon balm tea every day to keep his health and Paracelsus of the 16th
century claimed lemon balm completely revitalizes the body and called it the
“elixir of life.”
Hands On:
Lemon balm can be enjoyed in a variety of ways –
used in place of lemons to flavor meats, added to salads, and even included in
baked goods. These lemon balm cookies are sweet with a touch of lemon flavor.
Lemon Balm Cookies
½ cup olive oil
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbs. chopped fresh lemon balm (or 1 tsp. dried)
½ tsp. lemon essential oil
1½ cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. sea salt
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream the oil and sugar together
3. Add the eggs, chopped lemon balm, and lemon oil.
Mix well.
4. Slowly add in flour, baking powder, and sea
salt.
5. Drop by the teaspoon onto a lightly greased
cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
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