Lemon Balm Seeds

Official Name: Melissa officinalis

General description: Lemon balm is a perennial herb from the mint family. The leaves, which have a mild lemon aroma, are used to make medicine. Lemon balm is used alone or as part of various multi-herb combination products. In foods and beverages, the extract and oil of lemon balm are used for flavoring. Lemon balm’s Latin name is taken from the Greek word for bee, and from the ancient belief that a swarm of honeybees could be attracted to an empty hive simply by placing sprigs of the plant inside. Follow these How to Grow Lemon Balm from seeds instructions and grow some wonderful “Lemony” flavour. Grow in container or contained area of the garden as this plant spreads.

How to grow: 

Timing
Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost, and transplant out or direct so in late March to mid-April.

Starting
Barely cover the tiny seeds. Use a sterilized potting soil, and keep watering to an absolute minimum – just enough to keep the medium from drying out. Germination takes 10-14 days. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant at a spacing of 45cm (18″) into the garden.

Growing
Choose a shady spot or a location where plants can be protected from midday sun. Lemon balm prefers a fertile, moist soil in a cooler part of the garden. Plants grown in partial shade will be larger and more succulent than those exposed to full sun.

Harvest
Pick leaves throughout the summer for fresh use. The aroma is rapidly lost when dried or stored.

Benefits:

As a gentle nervine, lemon balm helps to calm and rejuvenate the nervous system. In fact, esteemed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar tells us that lemon balm is “one of nature’s best nervine herbs” . Use lemon balm to help ease anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, and headaches. It can even be helpful for those suffering with nervous heart palpitations. Similar to other plants in the mint family, such as rosemary and clary sage, lemon balm helps to restore those who are overwrought and exhausted. Rejuvenating lemon balm may be useful for easing parental exhaustion, for students studying for exams, and for overstimulated children. In particular, lemon balm can calm restlessness in children and help bring sleep to little ones who are so overtired that they are wired.

When digestive upsets come to call, lemon balm can help! Especially when tummy issues are associated with nervous stress, lemon balm’s mild antispasmodic action will help to soothe cramps. Lemon balm gently stimulates the liver and helps to enhance digestion. The bright herbaceous green leaves are full of healthful vitamins and minerals, making it a great addition to your family’s diet.Lemon balm is also a potent antiviral and can be of great help during viral illnesses, such as colds, flu, and even during a bout of shingles. It can assist the body in fighting infection, while easing the discomfort and restlessness that can sometimes accompany illness.