12/12/2025
🌿Herb of the Week: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)🌿
Lemon balm is a bright, uplifting, and incredibly comforting herb. It’s a great one to reach for when your mind or body just needs to settle, without feeling sedated or numbed.
It’s been used for centuries to support the nervous system, digestion, and immune response.
🍋Nervous System Support:
Lemon balm is a gentle nervine that helps ease nervous tension, racing thoughts, irritability, and that wired-but-tired feeling so many of us live in. It’s a great option for both kids and adults during overstimulating times.
🍋Digestive Comfort:
Stress loves to show up in the gut, and lemon balm can really shine here. It helps relax the digestive tract, settle queasiness, ease bloating or spasms, and support digestion during anxious times or after meals. It’s especially helpful when your stomach feels “off” for no obvious reason.
🍋Immune & Viral Support:
Lemon balm carries antiviral properties and has traditionally been used during fevers, colds, and viral flares.
🍋Topical Support:
Lemon balm is well known for its topical antiviral actions, especially for cold sores, which is why it can be found in lip balms. Used early, it can help reduce discomfort and support quicker healing.
It’s also traditionally been used topically for viral-related skin discomfort, including shingles, where it may help soothe irritation, nerve discomfort, and inflammation. While it’s not a cure, it can be a very supportive herb during flares.
🐾Pet-Friendly:
Dogs: Often used for mild anxiety, nervous digestion, or stress-related tummy upset. Helpful during vet visits, travel, storms, or routine changes.
Cats: More sensitive overall, but lemon balm may be used in glycerin extracts or very weak teas to support mild anxiety or digestive upset. Low and slow is key.
Horses: Commonly used to promote relaxation and digestive comfort, particularly for nervous horses or during changes in routine or environment.
🍋Ways to Use:
Tea: Gentle, pleasant, and easy for daily support.
Extract: Helpful when you need something more concentrated.
Topical: Commonly used in lip balms and calming or antiviral skin blends.
🍋Growing & Foraging:
Lemon balm is easy to grow and loves to spread once established. It’s part of the mint family and easy to identify by its soft lemony scent when the leaves are rubbed. Bees absolutely love it.
⚠️Contraindications & Notes:
Lemon balm is generally very gentle and well tolerated, but those with thyroid conditions or taking thyroid medication should use it mindfully and avoid heavy long-term use. Its calming effects may also enhance sedative medications.
As always, if pregnant, nursing, or on medications check with your provider before use.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition.