Melissa officinalis
Family: Labiatae (Mint)

Lemon balm is a perennial in the mint family.   Even before my herbalist days I loved growing lemon balm in my yard because of it's strong aromatic lemon scent and beautiful leaves.  I love running my hands over the top of the soft leaves and then inhaling the calming aroma.  Not only do humans love this plant but bees go crazy over it, in fact the scientific name of Melissa, actually means bee.  

• antiseptic
• anti-viral
• antispasmodic
• diaphoretic
• carminative
• nervine
• anti-depressive
• hypotensive
• anti-microbial
• hepatic
• sedative
• calming

• use in potpourri or herbal sachet to freshen drawers, closets and furniture
• use as a moth repellent in cupboards and linen closets
• bug repellent
• concentrated tea can darken hair and cover gray when used regularly

• cold sores, mouth sores
• cough, cold, flu, 
• fever, induces sweating for a good skin cleanse
• strep throat
• protects brain from powerful stimuli making it useful for those with high energy
• aids those suffering with ADD and ADHD, calming & soothing for restless children
• nervous system support
• digestive system support
• strenthens the heart
• cramps, PMS, menopausal sypmtoms and other women's health concerns
• tension headaches and migraines
• depression, heartache, melancholy, hysteria, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), anxiety, etc.
• relaxes the body and mind, uplift the spirits, balance mood swings
• insomnia, sleep aid & nightmares
• fatigue
• herpes, shingles, chicken pox
• overactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease
• bites and stings 
• wounds, bruises and cuts

• pull leaves off stem for fresh use
• poultice (or chew and apply immediately), compress, fomentation
• infusion (tea)
• herbal oil (use in cooking, on salads, to cleanse and disinfect wounds, etc.)
• tincture, glycerite, liniment
• salve, balm, ointment
• bath, foot soak
• herbal honey
• herbal popsicles (great for strep throat, mouth sores, cough, cold, etc.)

Lemon balm is a cultivated plant grown in gardens, it is not found in the wild.  It will grow readily, self seeds and is frost hardy, coming back year after year. 

• transplant or sprinkle seeds in rich, moist soil in part shade
• keep the soil moist, watering daily if needed
• feed compost tea monthly for added growth and vigor
• harvest frequently by cutting leaves as needed and/or cutting back entire plant to 4" several times during the season
• most potent and aromatic before the plant blooms but can gather leaves all season long
• can be dried and stored, but most potent used fresh
• stir up the soil around the plant in the fall, cut down to 4" and cover with mulch for winter protection
• plants can also be grown indoors during the winter months

Lemon Balm Herbal Legacy 1
Lemon Balm Herbal Legacy 2
Lemon Balm Benefits by Dr. Axe
12 Things to Do with Lemon Balm from The Nerdy Farm Wife
Lemon Balm at Edible Wild Food 

Shared on: The Art of Homemaking, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Tuesday Garden Party.

With summer in full swing we have been whipping up fresh batches of our go to outdoors sprays and salves, and refilling the bandaids in all the herbal first aid kits.  We make a fun day of refilling and refreshing all the kiddo's kits, make some herbal popsicles and get the sprinkler on the lawn to run through.  I haven't yet shared my natural sunscreen recipe yet, so this is the perfect time to do so, along with a refresher of the other must have outdoor items to have for summer swimming, camps and outdoor time.

There are many DIY sunscreen recipes going around and I archived several but never got to making any, either because they were too complicated, too messy, or too many ingredients or those I don't want to use.  Last year I decided to just make up my own simple recipe with just a couple essential oils and a base carrier.  It has served us well and is super simple to whip up.  
 
1/4 cup base oil such as avocado, olive or coconut (all of which carry their own small SPF)
50 drops carrot seed essential oil (carries SPF of 35-30)
40 drops myrrh essential oil (or frankincense)
10 drops helichrysum essential oil (great sun blocking properties but expensive so replace with lavender if needed) 

I couldn't give a recipe for sunscreen without a little explanation about our sun.  First of all, I only use this natural sunscreen on my children and self when I know we will be out in the sun for a very long period of time, such as swimming and hiking, where we have the potential to burn our skin.  Other than that there is no need to use it. The sun is another natural healer to the body, providing much needed nutrients to prevent and cure disease.  The only damage that should be feared from the sun is being exposed to it too long (without building up your exposure) and burning the skin.  My kiddos start coming out in the spring and each day stay longer and longer, gradually allowing the skin to build its resistance to burning (by creating melanin - tanning).  By the time summer arrives their skin is ready for the long days of summer and they never burn.  This is all a natural process and another way that God has designed the body to know what to do to protect itself.