Don't overlook lemon balm! It turns out to be a cure-all...

Various experimental clinical studies have demonstrated that lemon balm, which grows in European and Mediterranean regions, improves mood and is beneficial for conditions such as anxiety and related insomnia, Alzheimer's, dementia, and menstrual pain.

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Don't overlook lemon balm! It turns out to be a cure-all...

Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay Karabulut stated that in addition to its stress-relieving and expectorant properties, lemon balm is excellent for heart diseases and lowering blood pressure.

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine faculty member Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay Karabulut noted that lemon balm is a type of mint plant that grows in Central Europe and Mediterranean regions, stating, "Plants of the Lamiaceae family, also known as lemon balm, are annual, biennial, or perennial herbaceous plants that spread across Central Europe and especially the Mediterranean region.

IT IS SEEN IN COASTAL AREAS

It spreads across Mediterranean countries and the Southern Alps, and is also seen in coastal areas in Turkey. There are three subspecies of the Melissa (lemon balm) species. The Officinalis variety has a lemon scent and is used for therapeutic and other purposes. The plant's Latin name, Melissa, means 'Bee leaf.' Furthermore, the origin of the name is the Latin equivalent of 'Mel,' which is 'Honey,' and because the plant is rich in nectar, it was generally used to feed bees," she said.

Prof. Dr. Karabulut stated that it is recorded in Materia Medica that the plant, which was used in Greek mythology for scorpion and spider bites, was used in a solution prepared from its leaves, combined with potassium nitrate for mushroom poisoning and severe abdominal pain, as a syrup for shortness of breath, and applied with salt for the treatment of scrofula and ulcers.

Reminding that Ibn Sina, the author of the work El-Kanun Fi’t-Tıb (The Canon of Medicine), known as the founder of medieval modern science and the leader of physicians, noted that the M. officinalis plant is effective in the treatment of all types of phlegm-related diseases and stress-related illnesses, Karabulut said, "Let us also note that it relieves congestion in the brain and shortness of breath, refreshes the heart, and has a positive effect on bad breath."

KNOWN AS THE 'ELIXIR OF LIFE'

Stating that its use and cultivation spread to Europe after its use in Morocco in the seventh century was introduced to Spain, Karabulut pointed out that lemon balm is referred to as the 'Elixir of Life' in French literature. Expressing that lemon balm is used in many areas of traditional medicine, Karabulut said that the leaves of lemon balm, also known among the public in Turkey as lemon mint, lemon balm, tatramba, and temre herb, are used in solution form due to their sedative, stomachic, carminative, diaphoretic, and antiseptic effects.

USE OF LEMON BALM IN TURKEY

Stating that the use of lemon balm against different diseases is common in different regions of Turkey, she said:
"In folk medicine in the Sakarya region, it is used in the treatment of depression and migraine, while in the Kırklareli region, it is used in the treatment of asthma, heart diseases, diabetes, bronchitis, and cancer.

It is recorded that it is used in the provinces of Balıkesir, İzmir, Denizli, Uşak, and Kütahya for stomach ailments, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, liver ailments, psychological disorders, memory loss, as a sleep aid, to calm the nervous system, to sharpen the mind, to support the heart, to clear heart vessels, as a blood purifier, for diabetes, pharyngitis, and against pains (head, tooth, ear) and tinnitus. While it is generally used for cardiovascular diseases in Antalya and Istanbul, its use to lower blood sugar is more common in Çanakkale, Gaziantep, and Giresun.

Additionally, in the Ezine district of Çanakkale, it has been observed that an infusion prepared from the aerial parts of the plant is used in the treatment of ovarian diseases in women by drinking it on an empty stomach in the mornings.

Among the public, there are different applications such as using the solution prepared from the aerial parts of the plant to treat cardiovascular diseases after adding sliced lemon, using it by drying and powdering the aerial parts of the plant and mixing it with honey, or using an infusion prepared with lemon balm leaves and the aerial parts of the Naoloui plant.

RELIEVES INSOMNIA

The scientific performance of lemon balm and its ability to improve mood have been demonstrated by various experimental clinical studies, showing it is beneficial for conditions such as anxiety and related insomnia, Alzheimer's, dementia, oxidative stress due to low-dose radiation exposure, and menstrual pain.

Furthermore, various studies have reported that the plant possesses antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities, and therefore could be useful in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Today, lemon balm is used in the pharmaceutical, perfume, cosmetic, and food industries in many countries around the world."

News Source: İHA

Don't overlook lemon balm! It turns out to be a cure-all...

IT IS SEEN IN COASTAL AREAS

KNOWN AS THE 'ELIXIR OF LIFE'

USE OF LEMON BALM IN TURKEY

RELIEVES INSOMNIA

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