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 BALM - Other Names: Sweet balm, Lemon Balm, Garden Balm,
Melissa.
Habitat: The name Melissa comes from the Greek meaning
Bee, which indicates this herb's long-recognized fine bee-attracting capacity.
For this reason it was an old favorite for planting around hives. John Gerard
mentions that in the sixteenth century the leaves were even rubbed upon the
hives in an effort to keep the bees happy. The plant possesses a short root and
a squarish stem (when cut sectionally) with joint pairs of toothed,
heart-shaped, or oval leaves sprouting on either side of it. Both the leaves and
the creamy yellow flowers give off a strong lemony smell when crushed. Though
the leaves and stems die off each year, the root is perennial, which makes it a
good choice for your herb garden. It will thrive in any type of soil, and can be
grown from seed, seedling, root division in spring or fall, or cutting (if you
are clever). Like most of the simples, it requires the absolute minimum
attention : just make sure it has enough water, gets weeded from time to time,
and has its straggling dead wood cut back in the fall. (You might also want to
stir the earth between its roots once or twice a year).
Properties: Balm has been used from time immemorial as a
wound dressing, for it is rich in ozone and therefore strongly antiputrescent It
also makes a flavorful and mildly sedative tea to aid in opening the pores to
reduce fevers produced by Flu or chest colds.
TRY THIS RECIPE
BALM TEA: Infuse 2 teaspoons dried herb in 1 covered cup
boiling water for 15 minutes (Or 1 ounce herb to 1 pint boiling water if a
larger quantity is required). Strain, and flavor with sugar or honey and a twist
of lemon, if desired, before drinking |
