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Seed | Lemon Balm
  • Seed | Lemon Balm
Seed | Lemon Balm

Seed | Lemon Balm

$3.99 CAD
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Lemon Balm seeds produce an aromatic perennial with lemon-scented leaves. A medicinal and honey-producing plant, ideal for herb gardens and herbal teas.
A LITTLE HISTORY

Lemon balm, also known by its scientific name Melissa officinalis, is a herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean basin and widely cultivated throughout the world for its medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic uses. Here's a look at its history:

  • Antiquity:

Lemon balm has been used since ancient times, primarily by the Greeks and Romans. Ancient Greek physicians, such as Dioscorides and Hippocrates, documented its medicinal uses for its calming, tonic, and digestive properties. They also recommended it as a remedy for anxiety and stress.

  • Medieval Age:

During the Middle Ages, lemon balm was widely cultivated in monastery gardens across Europe. It was used as a medicinal plant to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive disorders, headaches, and insect bites.

  • Renaissance and modern era:

The popularity of lemon balm has continued through the centuries. It was often included in the herb gardens of noble houses and royal courts in Europe for its culinary and medicinal uses. In England, it was used to flavor wines and liqueurs.

  • Culinary uses:

Lemon balm is prized for its sweet, lemony aroma. Its fresh leaves are used to flavor desserts, fruit salads, herbal teas, and drinks. In Central Europe, it is sometimes used to flavor meat and fish dishes.

  • Medicinal uses:

Lemon balm is widely used in herbal medicine for its calming, anxiolytic, antispasmodic, and digestive properties. It is often recommended for treating insomnia, anxiety, digestive disorders, menstrual pain, and viral infections such as herpes.

  • Cosmetic uses:

In cosmetics, lemon balm essential oil is used in skin care products for its soothing and regenerative properties. It is often included in creams and lotions to help soothe skin irritations and improve skin texture.

In summary, lemon balm has a long history of diverse use across civilizations and eras. It continues to be valued today not only for its traditional uses in medicine and cooking, but also for its contributions to human health and well-being through its therapeutic and pleasant properties.
PROPERTIES

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is renowned for its many beneficial medicinal properties. Here are some of its main medicinal properties:

  • Calming and anxiolytic effect:

Lemon balm is widely used for its calming and relaxing properties. It is effective in reducing anxiety, calming nerves, and promoting restful sleep. It can be used to treat mild anxiety disorders and improve mood.

  • Antispasmodic:

The plant is also known for its antispasmodic properties, helping to relax the smooth muscles of the intestine and uterus. This makes it an effective natural remedy for menstrual cramps and gastrointestinal spasms.

  • Digestive:

Lemon balm is beneficial for the digestive system. It can help relieve bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. It aids digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices and improving bowel movements.

  • Antiviral:

Studies show that lemon balm has antiviral properties, particularly against herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is often used to treat outbreaks of cold sores and genital herpes, reducing the duration and severity of symptoms.

  • Antioxidant:

Lemon balm is rich in antioxidants, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. These compounds help neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and contributing to overall health.

  • Anti-inflammatory:

Thanks to its phytochemicals, lemon balm exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, supporting joint and skin health.

  • Nervous system:

Lemon balm is beneficial to the central nervous system, helping to improve concentration, memory, and cognition. It can be used to alleviate mild symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other age-related cognitive impairments.

Lemon balm is generally considered a safe herb when used correctly.

However, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before use, especially in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing medical treatment or sensitivity to plants of the Lamiaceae family. As with any medicinal plant, it is important to respect the recommended doses and to monitor any allergic or adverse reactions.
HOW TO COOK?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is primarily used for its medicinal properties and pleasant aroma rather than for complex culinary preparations. However, there are some traditional and modern ways to incorporate lemon balm into cooking:

  • Lemon balm infusion:

One of the most common uses of lemon balm in cooking is as an infusion. You can make an infusion by boiling water and adding fresh or dried lemon balm leaves. Let it steep for a few minutes to create a soothing, slightly lemony drink.

  • Flavoring of drinks:

Fresh lemon balm leaves can be added to hot drinks like tea or cold drinks like lemonades to give them a subtle hint of lemony, herbal flavor.

  • Salads and desserts:

Lemon balm leaves can be finely chopped and added to salads to add a fresh note and pleasant aroma. They can also be used to decorate desserts such as sorbets, fruit salads, or cakes.

  • Preservation in vinegar:

A traditional method is to preserve lemon balm leaves in vinegar to create a flavored vinegar. The leaves can be added to apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to flavor salad dressings or marinades.

  • Flavored oil:

You can also infuse lemon balm leaves in olive oil or other vegetable oils to create a flavored oil. This oil can be used to season fish dishes, grilled vegetables, or pasta.

  • Ice creams and sorbets:

Lemon balm leaves can be used to flavor homemade ice creams or sorbets, adding a subtle and refreshing flavor.

  • Cocktails and mocktails:

Lemon balm leaves can be used as a garnish to decorate cocktails or mocktails. They not only add a visual touch but also a light lemony flavor to the drink.

It's important to note that lemon balm has a fairly delicate flavor, so it's often used in small amounts so as not to overpower other flavors. Be sure to choose fresh lemon balm leaves for optimal results, as they have a more pronounced aroma than dried leaves.
HOW TO GROW?

It will be necessary:

  • Cold stratification:
  • Prepare the seeds: Clean them and, if necessary, soak them for a few hours.
  • Mix: Mix the seeds with a moist substrate (sand or vermiculite).
  • Condition: Put everything in an airtight bag.
  • Refrigerate: Place the bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 weeks.
  • Check: Make sure the substrate remains slightly moist.
  • Sow: After the stratification period, sow the seeds in prepared soil.

That's it! It helps the seeds germinate.

Caution: Seed dust, so mix your seeds with sand in a salt shaker to have a bed.

Our seeds are vigorous, open-pollinated and adapted to the Quebec climate.

  • Species: Lamiacea; Melissa officinalis
  • Sowing: Early March indoors, early April under cover outdoors or sow broadcast on the surface to be cultivated outdoors either in spring or towards the end of August
  • Seeds: 10-15 seeds per pot, final transplanting into an outdoor pot or soil around mid-May
  • Sowing depth: 0.2-0.5cm
  • Germination time: 13-21 days
  • Soil: Poor, humus-rich, loose and well-drained
  • Location: Sun and tolerates shade and cold very well
  • Spacing between plants 35-45 cm
  • Height at maturity 55-60 cm
  • Maturity: 55-60 | perennial
  • Seeds per envelope: +/- 100

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