21 facts about Stinging nettle
It is often thought of as a weed that causes an unpleasant burning sensation when touched. However, it is treated with respect by many for its nutriti ...
Lemon balm has been known for more than two thousand years and was appreciated by the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean basin. Despite the passage of time, it is still widely used in both folk medicine and dentistry. It has a wide range of uses from skin problems to digestive ailments, PMS to stress and sleep problems.
Melissa is also used in the cosmetic industry, gastronomy and even beekeeping.
It used to be grown only in the subtropical climates of Europe, but is now grown all over the world.
It is characteristic of the landscape of the Apennine Peninsula, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Central Asia.
It was used extensively by medieval herbalists and monks. It came to North America with the European colonists.
It was used by the Greeks and Romans; references to lemon balm appear in the Historia Plantarum, one of the most important ancient natural history books, by Theophrastus of Eresos. The book was written between 350 and 287 BC.
Some believed that bees would never leave the garden where lemon balm grew.
The Tudors ruled England from 1485 to 1603, and according to historical accounts, they ordered lemon balm leaves to be scattered on the floors of royal residences.
Lemon balm may help you fall asleep. A 2006 study showed that lemon balm combined with valerian significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and sleep problems by more than 70%.
External application of lemon balm ointment results in a milder course of the disease and faster recovery. It has also been found that herpes outbreaks are less frequent after treatment with the ointment.
However, it is important to note that most of the studies used a mixture of other herbs, so the direct effects of lemon balm are not yet known in detail.
A 2015 study of one hundred teenage girls for three consecutive menstrual cycles showed that the group taking lemon balm experienced a significant reduction in uncomfortable symptoms.
It reduces anxiety and helps with sleep.
It is used in dentistry to decontaminate dental canals and as an ingredient in dental cement. It is too toxic to be used on a large scale, but the concentrations used in dentistry are low enough to cause no side effects.
The discovery of eugenol, however, made it possible to develop anesthetics such as propofol, a popular drug that causes rapid and brief unconsciousness.
Eugenol is also used as a flavoring agent in the perfume and food industries.
They are used, for example, in tanning, where tannins are responsible for protecting animal tissues by denaturing collagen fibers.
It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is used to treat eczema, acne, and minor cuts and wounds. It also has a calming effect, improves concentration and lowers blood pressure.
