A plant with a subtle refreshing taste - lemon balm. Lemon mint application

Melissa (lemon mint) is a perennial plant, which since ancient times is widely known for its beneficial properties.

It is widely used in medicine (official and folk), cosmetology, cooking. In the article we learn what Meliisa is and what the taste of the leaves is like, how to use it in medicine (fresh and in the form of drinks), how to apply it in cosmetology, namely for hair, for moisturizing hands and feet, for the face. Also consider the use of lemon balm in cooking.

What does the taste of leaves look like?

The taste of lemon balm leaves have a subtle refreshing sourish (lemon-like) taste and a cool lemon scent. Sometimes it is confused with mint, but the tastes of these two herbs are still different. The taste of lemon balm depends on the variety. (for example, "Pearl" has a more pronounced bitter-spicy taste, and "Mojito" has sweet-spicy notes), from ripeness (melissa before flowering has a delicate flavor, and during and after flowering it adds a pronounced spicy-bitter flavor ).

What is the plant used in medicine for?

Fresh

For medicinal purposes, fresh lemon balm is most often used as a slurry. To do this, take the required amount of grass leaves, which is pounded with a spoon or blender to a mushy state.

Indications for use. Such a tool can be used for healing wounds and abrasions, treatment of abscesses, bruises, ulcers and edema on the skin.: It is enough to apply a little gruel to the affected area, securing it to the body with a sterile cloth and plaster. After such a compress, the pain subsides, and the wound heals faster. The course of treatment is 2 times a day until complete recovery.

Decoction

The recipe for cooking broth is as follows:

1. 2 teaspoons of herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled in a water bath for 3 minutes;
2. after which it must be insisted within two hours;
3. strain.

Application. The resulting amount of broth should be divided into 2 parts and drink during the day.: in the morning and in the evening. This concentrated decoction is used for serious sleep disorders, for prolonged insomnia. The course of treatment is 10 days, after - a short break, then the broth should be drunk again.

Tea

The technology of making tea with melissa is very simple:

1. 1 teaspoon of spicy herbs (fresh or dry) should be filled with a glass of boiling water;
2. insist 10 - 15 minutes;
3. to taste you can add honey.

Some tea drinkers use a different recipe: 0.5 teaspoon of lemon balm, green (black) tea is poured with a glass of boiling water. Further, the cooking process is identical to the first recipe. As additional ingredients you can use:

• linden flowers;
• ginger;
• blooming Sally;
• oregano;
• chamomile.

All herbs with melissa are mixed in equal proportions.and ginger root is added to taste.

Application. Melissa tea is an excellent sedative, used for neurosis, depression, insomnia and irritability. Similar drink:

• normalizes the work of the heart, strengthen it;
• improve appetite;
• helps to cope with the first symptoms of a cold;
• relieve muscle spasms;
• prescribed for childhood neurosis and as an antiemetic for pregnant women.

Without harm to health, you can drink 1 - 2 cups of tea per dayThe best time to eat is in the afternoon or just before bedtime.

Drink with lemon and sugar

To make a drink, you will need:

• a bunch of fresh lemon balm (50 - 70 grams);
• 1.5 liters of water;
• half a cup of sugar;
• juice of half a large lemon.

1. Sugar is added to boiling water, the container is removed from the heat, grass is added and the mixture is allowed to stand until the liquid is cooled.
2. In the cooled drink you need to pour lemon juice, after pulling out a bunch of lemon balm.
3. Serve with ice cubes.

Application. The drink has sedative, antispasmodic, antimicrobial properties. In large quantities to drink this drink is not recommended, an exception can be made to those people who suffer from neurosis or insomnia. A single dose is a glass, you can drink no more than two glasses a day, preferably after lunch.

Syrup

Now consider how to make lemongrass syrup, what is it taken from and how.

1. In 2 liters of boiling water, add 3 cups of coarsely chopped lemon balm leaves and, removing from heat, leave to infuse for 24 hours.
2. At the expiration of this time, the infusion must be drained, poured into a saucepan and brought to a boil.
3. Then, add 2 kilograms of sugar to the boiling liquid, mix well and boil again.
4. After that, the container must be removed from the heat, cool and add juice, squeezed from 6 kilograms of lemons.
5. Mixing everything thoroughly, the syrup should be bottled and stored in a dark and dry place.

Application. It should be used to improve digestion, with pain, as a sedative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral agent.

This syrup is usually added to tea and consumed as needed.

Drink with lemon juice and honey

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a glass of boiled water should be dipped a sprig of lemon balm, pour juice ½ of lemon, let it brew for 10 minutes.
2. In order to improve the taste, you can add 0.5 teaspoon of honey.

Application. Such The drink is considered fat burning and has been successfully used for weight loss. How should drink it? Usually they drink it in the morning on an empty stomach 30 minutes before a meal, but if there are no contraindications (for example, gastritis, peptic ulcer). The course duration is a month, after which it is necessary to take a break and you can repeat it again.

Butter

Consider the beneficial properties of lemon balm oil and its application.

• Oil with melissa is used to improve memory, vision, convulsions and inflammatory diseases.
• Cardiologists advise using it for arrhythmias, tachycardias and shortness of breath.
• This is an excellent tool for sleep disorders and in treating the effects of stress experienced.
• Oil lowers pressure.

Application. Usually a few drops of butter (5 - 7 per 50 grams) are added to jam, mayonnaise, sauce, and also directly to the dish:

• meat;
• fish;
• vegetables.

There are no restrictions on use, but everything good should be in moderation.

How to use in cosmetology?

For hair

Melissa is considered a plant that can have a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair and hair follicles: the essential oils contained in the plant perfectly nourish, restore and treat the scalp, hair follicle, and the hair itself along its entire length.

To make a decoction you will need:

1. 2 tablespoons of dried leaves of the grass, which is poured with hot water (+ 90 ° C) and infused for 20 minutes.
2. After straining it can be taken orally (1 tablespoon 3 times a day), rinse their hair after washing with shampoo.
3. By adding a little curd or kefir, get a great mask that should be applied along the entire length of the hair and leave for 70 minutes.

To moisturize the skin of the hands and feet

An ideal way to moisturize dry skin of the hands and feet are night masks based on castor oil with the addition of 2 to 3 drops of lemon balm essential oil.

1. The oil mixture is applied to the skin of the hands and feet, well rubbed with massage movements.
2. After that they put on cotton gloves, socks and go to sleep.
3. In the morning everything needs to be washed off with warm water.

The effect is simply amazing!

For face

Rejuvenating mask

1. 20 milliliters of infusion of lemon balm (2 tablespoons melissa poured 200 ml of alcohol or vodka and infused in containers of dark glass for 8 days, shaking occasionally) mix with 10 grams of chopped kelp and leave for 1 hour.
2. In the mixture add 15 drops of rice germ oil and distribute the mask over steamed face skin.
3. You can wash off after 35 minutes.

Another variant:

1. 1 teaspoon of gelatin should be poured with a small amount of green, warm tea.
2. Mix thoroughly and add 6 drops of infusion of lemon balm and 2 milliliters of avocado oil.
3. Apply to the face with a spatula for 40 minutes, after which the frozen mask is removed from the face.

From greasy raid

1. In a tablespoon of rye flour, you need to pour 3 tablespoons of beer, mix thoroughly and add 3 drops of essential oil of lemon balm.
2. Apply a mask on steamed face for 15 to 20 minutes, after which it should be washed off with warm water.

Peeling

1. Fresh leaves of lemon balm, raspberries, sea buckthorn in equal parts to mix and chop.
2. In a teaspoon of the mixture must be poured 50 milliliters of boiling water, stir and after cooling, introduce oatmeal to a mushy state.
3. The mask is applied for 20 minutes, after which it should be washed off with warm water.

From itching after insect bite

Melissa essential oil is an excellent antiseptic. To relieve itching from insect bites, it is enough to take the aroma bath: 10 drops of oil dissolved in 2 tablespoons of kefir or milk.

As an option: in 0.5 l of water dissolve some sea salt or soda and drip oil into the solution (10 drops). One of the prepared solutions pour into the bath. The recommended duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.

With wounds

When the opportunity to take a bath is not available, it is possible to treat the bite sites with a cotton pad with the following composition: 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 30 drops of lemon balm essential oil dissolve in 100 grams of boiled water.

The same composition perfectly disinfects cuts and wounds due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial effect.

Use in cooking

Consider where the leaves of the plant are usually added when cooking, whether it is possible to eat fresh lemon grass. Melissa is widely used in cooking and confectionery. Lemon balm leaves, both fresh and dried, are used to impart a special flavor to pickles, pickles, sauces and gravies. It gives a subtle, savory flavor to berry and fruit jelly, baked apples, steamed vegetables.

Since ancient times, teas and infusions have been made on the basis of this spicy herb, and have been used as an ingredient in the preparation of alcoholic beverages. It is impossible to imagine a modern bar, which would not serve refreshing drinks and cocktails, light and sophisticated desserts with the addition of spices. Moreover, lemon balm is widely used as a component of many salads and appetizers.

Melissa is a useful plant that should definitely be grown in your backyard, on the windowsill or at least buy in the home first aid kit.

Watch the video: Mint: Health Benefits of This Versatile Herb that Keep you Healthy and How to Easily Grow Indoors (November 2024).