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Lemon Balm

Includes: Lemon Balm, Orange Balm, Lime Balm

Folk Names: Bee Balm, Lemon Balsam, Sure-All, Honey Plant, Sweat Balm, Sweet Mary’, Sweet Melissa, and Dropsy Plant

Scientific Names: Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm), Melissa Officinalis ‘Mandarina’ (Orange Balm), Melissa officinalis 'Lime Balm' (Lime Balm)

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Additional Notes: divider

Known as ‘Bee Balm’, ‘Lemon Balsam’, ‘Sure-All’, ‘Honey Plant’, ‘Sweat Balm’, ‘Sweet Mary’, ‘Sweet Melissa’, and ‘Dropsy Plant’; Scientific name: Melissa Officinalis. Magically used for Love, success, and healing; soak the herb in Wine for several hours, strain, and share with a friend; also used in magical healing and is used in healing incenses and sachets; can be used in spells to ensure success; rub in a hive to keep old bees and attract new ones.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' by Scott Cunningham

Middle note in perfumery; essential oils are sourced from the flowers as opposed to the leaves; citrusy, clean, fresh scent that encourages a gentle nature and soothes what ails you; possible skin-sensitizing side effects; known to never stop working for the person wielding it. Used to purify and scent wood furniture; essential oils are typically not sold pure and usually pre-diluted due to price; works with ordered thinking and focus for guided meditation, practicing new skills, clarity of thought, and to bestow good fortune; can be an effective ally for learning to ground and center; aids in personal growth and development, and gently encourages the analysis of memories and trauma.

'Blackthorn's Botanical Magic: The Green Witch’s Guide to Essential Oils for Spellcraft, Ritual, and Healing' by Amy Blackthorn

A known inhabitant of most gardens, and naturalized throughout North America and Europe. Let a Syrup of its Juice and Sugar be kept to relieve weak stomachs, with other convenient simples and honey to be made into an electuary (a powder mixed with honey or another sweet). A tea of up to 4.5 grams of dried leaf per cup for nervous disorders, insomnia, bloating, gas, and minor fever; clinical studies of 200:1 extract shows effectiveness for cold sores. Has also been studied for PMS relief.

'Culpeper's Complete Herbal: Illustrated and Annotated Edition' by Nicholas Culpeper, updated by Steven Foster

A perennial member of the Mint family with a citrus like flavor and fragrance desirable for culinary use, as well as infusions and teas; evocative of strong emotions, used to heal broken hearts and attract love, calming, soothing, and mood elevating.

'The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs' by Judy Ann Nock

A good all-purpose dream pillow is equal parts Lemon Balm, Customary, Rose, Mint, and Clove,sewn as a pillow; a Prosperity Incense may include equal parts Clove, Nutmeg, Lemon Balm, Poppy Seed, and Cerar moistened with a few drops each Honeysuckle and Almond Oil.

'Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise' by Scott Cunningham

Success, prosperity, compassion; it is uplifting and soothing emotional wounds; instills love.

'Blackthorn's Botanical Brews: Herbal Potions, Magical Teas, and Spirited Libations' by Amy Blackthorn

Used for happiness and abundance; Carmelite Water is made with Lemon Balm; praised for its ability to counteract depression, balance emotions, and improve sleep; used in incense and perfumed; excellent for emotional wellness and helps attract love and friendship as well as heal when it leaves; aids in finding peace and closure; supports you during challenging shifts; boots spiritual and self growth; keep the plant close while meditating, praying, or doing spiritual or spell work; powerful in abundance magic; soft spoken but urges you to do more and go for your dreams; she comes to you most when you are considering taking a leap and need the courage to fly.

'Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants' by Juliet Diaz

Lemon Balm was a great favorite of bees; increases milk production when fed to cows; abundance, happiness, and prosperity’ add to love potions for personal magnetism, or baths to cleanse and calm before ritual; Use in herbal pillows for sweet dreams. Carmelite Water recipe of ½ cup Lemon Balm Leaves, ¼ Cup Angelica Root, 1 tbsp Coriander Seed, 1 tbsp Lemon Zest, 1 tsp Cinnamon, 2 Cloves, ⅛ tsp grated Nutmeg, into 1 bottle of dry white Wine steeped for 6 hours and strained through a cheesecloth until clean (from 1379); can be tinctured for Winter use.

'The Sacred Herbs of Spring: Magical, Healing, and Edible Plants to Celebrate Beltaine' by Ellen Evert Hopman

Soothing application ranges across all ‘Balm’ plants, though references in Shakespear’s works most likely refer to Lemon Balm as it was used interchangeably with ‘Balsam’ and ‘Balsamum’ varieties of gum-bearing trees. All were used to make healing ungents, and for embalming and anointing.Lemon Balm was commonly used for wounds in the form of a salve.

'Botanical Shakespeare: An Illustrated Compendium of all the Flowers, Fruits, Herbs, Trees, Seeds, and Grasses Cited by the World's Greatest Playwright' by Gerit Quealy

Fast growing perennial hardy to zones 4 through 9 in the United States, but can be grown as an annual in colder areas; self sows easily and can become invasive. Prefers moist but well drained soil and a bit of shade. Sow seeds directly into soil in fall; Leaves can be harvested at any time during the growing season, but are most flavorful before the plant flowers. You can snip plants back after flowering for a second crop of leaves. Science shows that Lemon Balm is high in Citral and Citronellal Oils, Tannins, and Bitters, Polyphenols, Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Catechin, Resins, and Flavonoids; considered a thyroid inhibitor; an effective remedy along with other herbals for Seasonal Affective Disorder, and ADHD. Carmelite Water 3 parts Lemon Balm leaf, 1 part Angelica Root, ½ part Coriander Seeds, ½ part Lemon Peel, ¼ part Nutmeg, and 80 proof Brandy. Honey optional. Tincture Herbs in Brandy for 4 to 6 weeks in a warm and sunny spot, shaking daily before straining and adding the ¼ cup warm honey if desired; for a bath to dispel ‘negative energy’ use 2 parts Lemon Balm leaf, 1 part Chamomile Flower, 1 part Lavender bud, and 1 part Rose petals. Tie 1/4th a cup or more of the herbal mixture into a cloth bag and add to the bath. Soak for at least 30 minutes.

'Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use' by Rosemary Gladstar

Used in love charms and potions. In baths. Said to help with melancholy and depression. For a good prosperity sachet mix together equal parts Cinquefoil, Cinnamon, Clove, Lemon Balm, and a whole Vanilla or Tonka Bean in a rich purple bag to increase riches. Drink as a tea to relieve a tired brain- or as 2 parts Lemon Balm, 1 part Lavender, and 1 part Feverfew as a tea to relieve Headache.

'Magical Folkhealing: Herbs, Oils, and Recipes for Health, Healing, and Magic' by DJ Conway

A gentle nervine, it relaxes both the mind and the body. Can be used for both physical and mental illness; associated with water magic in particular; magically great for baths, and for dream work and anxiety.

'Plant Magic for the Beginner Witch: An Herbalist’s Guide to Heal, Protect and Manifest' by Ally Sands

From the family Lamiacae / Labiateae alongside Mint; golden and variegated varieties both exist; Bergamot can also be called Bee Balm, leading to common name confusion; The Greeks smeared the insides of their beehives with it and called it ‘Honey Leaf’; it grows wild in clumps of 3 foot with clusters of small cream flowers. Native to the Mediterranean, it can become invasive elsewhere; contains tannins that have been found to be antibacterial, antiviral, and aiding in depression and digestion. Leaves on skin are a natural insect repellant and alleviates the pain of stins. Balms are also useful for eczema. Oil is used for restlessness and excitement, headaches, and insomnia.. Avicenna described it as cheering. Hydrocarbons in its oils starve bacteria of Oxygen.Northumbria University research suggests it increases acetylcholine, a chemical messenger linked to memory. A double blind German study done in 1999 showed that Lemon Balm extract topically applied to cold sores reduced healing time and associated symptoms. It was also used to dress wounds in the Middle Ages, and planted at doors to drive away Spirits.

'Breverton's Complete Herbal: A Book Of Remarkable Plants And Their Uses' by Terry Breverton