Do you know melissa tea?

Popularly called lemon balm, melissa is well known for its benefits and medicinal properties. Moreover, this plant is cultivated all over the world, but very appreciated in Brazil.

For those looking for calming and sedative effects, melissa tea is a great natural option to relax muscles and fight infections caused by bacteria. It also helps with lack of sleep, aids in detoxifying the body, and reduces anxiety and fever symptoms. In this article, you'll learn all about this powerful herb, check it out!

Understanding about melissa tea

Melissa tea is one of the most suitable to relax and calm down. This is because it has several properties that benefit health. Besides being a natural calming agent, it is known to improve mood and cognitive functions.

Moreover, it is a great drink to be taken at night, because it provides a sense of relaxation, inhibits sleep, relieves stress and helps digestion. Read on and learn more about this herb and its health benefits!

Origin and history of the melissa plant

Melissa or lemon balm belongs to the same family as mint and boldo. It is a native herb of Europe, North Africa and West Asia, but nowadays it is cultivated all over the world. In the Middle Ages, Melissa was widely used for medicinal purposes, such as to treat wounds and to relieve tension and even animal bites.

In Ancient Greece, it was called "bee honey grass" in honor of the Greek nymph that protects the bee. Also according to Greek mythology, the Goddess Artemis could assume the form of these insects, making them sacred to the priestesses of her temples.

As a result, everything that was sacred to bees became sacred to the worshippers of Artemis, and lemongrass tea became highly revered. Pliny the Elder noted that bees "were delighted with this herb more than with the others."

Around the same time, Dioscorides became one of the first physicians to recognize the benefits of lemongrass tea. He went on to record its use for "the bites of venomous animals and the bites of mad dogs and to ease the pains of gout." Centuries later, Charlemagne, the Roman Emperor, proclaimed that this herb should grow in all monasteries under his rule.

In addition, monks began to use it to treat wounds and as a tonic for internal health. A perfume called Carmelite Water, infused with lemongrass, eventually became common to conceal unpleasant odors. Finally, melissa also served a purpose in times of plague.

Characteristics of lemongrass

Lemongrass comes from the melissa officinalis plant and looks nothing like lemongrass. The light green leaves are rounded and the jagged edges tend to be slightly wrinkled.

There are many other branches of the lemongrass trees and the foliage is very dense. The plants generally grow only about 90 cm tall and produce the densest foliage in the early spring months. The advantage of lemongrass is that it is easy to grow in many climatic conditions.

Also, lemongrass has a lighter flavor than lemongrass, but it exudes a very spicy aroma that makes it perfect for aromatic teas. This doesn't change the flavor of the tea as much, but adds just the slightest citrus flavor that gives it the tart touch you desire. It is also used as a garnish for meat dishes and gives a nice flavor to meats and poultry.

What is melissa tea used for?

The melissa herb has beneficial action in cases of stomach problems and has a calming effect that improves insomnia, anxiety and depression and helps in reducing stress.

In addition, melissa tea aids in the digestive system, treats sleep disorders, strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body, reduces fever, eliminates anxiety, and relieves menstrual symptoms. Because it contains several properties, melissa tea serves to treat and assist in the prevention and relief of various ailments.

Properties of the plant melissa officinalis

Melissa has several compounds, such as polyphenols, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, antioxidants, rosmarinic acid, which has antibacterial action, citral caffeic acid and eugenol acetate.

In addition, only rosmarinic acid has a higher amount of antioxidants than vitamin E. This antioxidant action helps fight free radicals, prevents premature aging of cells, prevents cancer, prevents skin blemishes and prevents degenerative diseases.

Benefits of melissa tea

Melissa tea is used to fight several diseases, including herpes labialis, high cholesterol, genital herpes, heartburn and indigestion.

The herb is also used to relieve menstrual cramps and muscle pain, tone the nervous system, control anxiety, calm stress, help you sleep well, facilitate the elimination of gas and aid digestion. Next, see in detail the main benefits of melissa tea.

Helps relieve anxiety and stress

Due to its sedative action, melissa tea acts on the nervous system, decreasing stress and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. These effects are due to the antioxidant properties, which act as a calming agent, and the volatile compounds that are found in melissa herb.

Excess hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline can cause a number of problems. These include higher stress levels, high blood pressure, metabolism malfunctions, and cardiovascular problems. As such, melissa can relieve the symptoms of stress, help relax and improve mood, and prevent disease.

Improves sleep quality

According to studies, melissa tea contains rosmarinic acid. This is an oxidative substance that helps control anxiety and improves sleep quality for those suffering from insomnia.

For having calming and sedative effects, melissa tea provides relaxation and reduces stress, reducing fatigue and making the person have a good night's sleep and mood the next day. The tea can be taken pure or associated with another herb to enhance its effect, but it is best in its pure version, to be more effective and provide the expected result.

Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

In short, inflammation can originate in a variety of ways. In this regard, melissa has several anti-inflammatory compounds that can eliminate or reduce inflammation when used regularly.

The use of it can be done both in the treatment of pain, as in inflammation after an injury. In addition, it also fights swelling, and its antioxidant compounds have agents that act quickly in the inflamed region. Some studies also point out that lemon balm is quite effective in skin regeneration.

Helps digestion

Melissa tea has a high concentration of vitamins A, B complex and polyphenols, which have antioxidant action. In addition, lemon balm has digestive and diuretic properties. That is, it helps eliminate toxins from the body, preventing the accumulation of fluids and fighting pain.

Thus, melissa tea has a positive effect on digestion. It aids in metabolism, making the digestive system work better after meals.

Prevents gastrointestinal problems

Lemon balm tea is rich in rosmarinic acid, citral, citronellal, linalool, geraniol and beta-caryophyllene. In addition, it has spasmolytic and carminative substances, which help prevent the accumulation of gases.

Melissa tea also helps in the treatment of symptoms of dyspepsia, i.e., stomach pain, irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux. In addition to calming the stomach, the drink helps relieve constipation and heartburn, enhances digestion and ensures proper absorption of nutrients.

Improves cognitive function

Melissa aids in the functioning of the nervous system as a whole. This is because it provides the necessary vitamins for the nervous system, such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and polyphenols. In effect, these components improve cognitive functions, such as memory capacity, concentration and brain function.

In addition, by consuming melissa tea, you offer the nervous system the antioxidants that can prevent the deposition of plaques in the neural pathways. This prevents neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, among others.

Alleviates the symptoms of Alzheimer's

For people suffering with Alzheimer's disease, melissa tea can help improve memory. Citral, for example, is extracted from melissa to inhibit cholinesterase, an enzyme targeted to the drugs Aricept-donepezil, Exelon-rivastigmine and Razadyne-galantamine to treat Alzheimer's disease.

According to studies, melissa tea can improve memory and help treat those where loss has been induced. Therefore, consuming this tea offers the antioxidants that can help with overall brain health.

Relieves menstrual cramps

Melissa tea is one of the most consumed by women who suffer from intense menstrual cramps. This is because it provides relaxation, especially of the muscle tissues, and aids in the relief of this discomfort.

Its sedative and analgesic properties, combined with some antispasmodic effects, can relieve pain during menstrual periods. In addition, the tea also reduces anxiety, improving the mood swings that often accompany menstruation.

Combats headache

When used to treat headaches, melissa tea provides great relief, especially if the pain is caused by stress. Its soothing properties help release tension and relax muscles.

Thus, its frequent consumption also helps to open and relax blood vessels, as dilation of these vessels can contribute to headaches.

Combat herpes labialis

It is very common for people to take melissa tea to reduce the herpes virus. This is because the flavonoids and phenolic compounds present in the tea are mainly responsible for this decrease in the virus.

Its use can be done topically, but the benefits to the immune system are obtained with the ingestion of the tea, which can also help to mitigate this sexually transmitted disease.

Eliminates fungi and bacteria

Melissa contains phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic, caffeic and coumaric acids, which are able to eliminate skin fungi and some bacteria.

Some of these include Candida albicans, which causes candidiasis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes pneumonia; Salmonella sp, which causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections; Shigella sonnei, which causes intestinal infections, and Escherichia coli, which causes urinary tract infection.

Recipe for melissa tea

Melissa tea helps to calm and minimize anxiety caused by stress, nervousness and irritability. It also helps the digestive system function and relieves cramps. Thanks to its sedative and calming action, it is an excellent ally for mental health. Learn how to make this lemon balm beverage below!

Indications and ingredients

Melissa tea has a very easy and simple preparation, you need only the following ingredients:

- 02 teaspoons of fresh or dried melissa leaves;

- 02 cups of filtered water;

- 01 teaspoon honey or sugar, to taste.

How to do

If you make melissa tea with fresh leaves, you can either leave them whole or cut them to release more of their beneficial compounds, so follow the step by step below:

1. bring the water to boil in a container;

2. place the melissa leaves in the boiling water;

Leave the tea to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired intensity;

Strain and add sugar or honey to taste.

Further information about melissa tea

Melissa tea for nutrition is excellent for toning the liver and bringing hormonal balance. Thus, when consumed during menopause, it causes a decrease in mood swings. In addition, it is a tonic and refreshing drink. See other information about lemon balm tea below!

Other ways to consume lemon balm

Besides having a unique flavor and aroma, lemon balm can be used to spice up food and refresh drinks. Melissa water and syrups can also be made from it, as well as being used in the cosmetics industry as an essence for perfumes, soaps, oils and shampoos.

In addition, lemon balm is also used to make incense sticks that are widely used in aromatherapy, where it promotes a sense of tranquility and well-being.

Main ingredients that go with tea

Melissa can be combined with ginger to treat or prevent inflammation, turmeric to prevent viral and bacterial diseases, and peppermint to aid digestion and improve sleep quality. Besides being delicious, melissa teas with these ingredients are rich in medicinal properties that help to soothe and heal the body.

While these drinks may not be able to treat more serious illnesses on their own, they can help treat symptoms like a sore throat and provide relief while your body fights illness.

Tips for making your melissa tea

When preparing melissa tea, it is important that this moment is like a ritual, because when the herb comes into contact with hot water, the essential oils are released and absorbed by the nose and reach the olfactory bulb, where various regions of the brain are activated.

It is a moment of relaxation that promotes sleep, and the exhaled aroma promotes a sense of well-being. Melissa is a plant that interacts with the central nervous system. Enjoy this when making this tea.

How often can melissa tea be taken?

Melissa tea can be taken frequently, but in moderation. This is because some herbs and plants in excess generate toxicity. Thus, the same plant should not be consumed more than three times a day, nor for more than 15 days.

According to alternative medicine, the ideal is to drink up to 3 cups a day, without exceeding the quantity of 12 grams of plant leaves or 450ml of tea. Besides, according to the herbal medicine form, this interval is safer to avoid intoxication.

Contraindications and possible side effects of the tea

Lemon balm is almost always safe, but as with all things, it is not safe for everyone and everywhere. People who take thyroid medications or have thyroid problems in general should avoid lemon balm.

If you are taking any type of sedative medication, do not use lemon balm. As is usually the case with many herbs, melissa has not been extensively studied for use in pregnant women, so to ensure safety, pregnant women should avoid it.

As with all herbal preparations, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other health care professional before taking any herbal remedy.

Lemon balm tea has many benefits!

The use of lemon balm herb in traditional medicine has been recorded for over 2,000 years to primarily treat all disordered states of the nervous system. In addition, melissa has been used for anxiety, neurological conditions, fatigue, headaches, sleep problems, brain health, digestion and more.

The most useful part of the plant are the leaves often used to make tea. Also, lemon balm is a very easy herb to grow at home and is great for beginner gardeners, so make the most of its benefits!