By Georgia Taylor
Valley Tea is known for its array of naturopathic blends, but let’s not forget there is an extensive range of single herbal teas, Lemon Balm being one. Lemon Balm is a key ingredient in our Tummy Restore tea and Slumber tea and we want to bring light to the abilities it possesses and why it shines as its very own tea within our Valley Tea collection.
Lemon Balm, also known as Melissa Officinalis, is part of the mint family and has a lemon scent. It is native to North Africa, Europe and West Asia, but in the correct conditions can be grown anywhere in the world.
Lemon Balm has been around for more than 2000 years and over that time has been used naturopathically, medically and as a culinary ingredient. Within those 2000 years many people have used the herb and drunk the tea, including Prince of Glamorgan and King Charles V of France. Both would drink Lemon Balm tea daily to ensure their good health and longevity. Unfortunately, the King only lived until 42, but did not pass from sickness, in fact from an abscess in his arm. The Prince lived to be 108.
Was Lemon Balm tea the secret to the Prince’s longevity and good health?
It is unknown if tea was the reason for his long life, but he and the King sure would have felt the Lemon Balm’s many and wonderful effects, especially as they were drinking it daily.
Lemon Balm can assist digestion, excessive gas, vomiting and an upset stomach. Drinking it daily, much like the king and prince, can improve cognitive function, mental clarity, sensory perception, mood, and has a calming effect. Its sweet minty taste with a touch of lemon makes it a pleasant drink to enjoy each day.
As mentioned, Lemon Balm is also used for medicinal purposes. Let’s jump back in time again to when Charles the Great, aka Roman Emperor Charlemagne, ruled. Charles the Great was so fascinated by the Lemon Balm and all its abilities, he declared that the herb would be grown in the garden of his home and used for medical practices and health benefits. Indeed, it was grown in his garden for his entire 47-year reign.
What sort of medical concerns might Charles the Great have used it for?
The civilisations of the 9th century may not have had the same medical terms we have today, but Lemon Balm is still used for medicinal/naturopathic purposes. The herb can assist with conditions such as hyperthyroidism, dizziness, migraines, nervous heart or stomach, insomnia, low energy, cramps, urinary infections, acne, bites, mumps, cold sores and shingles.
All the information that can be found about Lemon Balm today has been collated over many, many years of research, from different countries, experiences and organisations. Today, Lemon Balm shows itself to be a powerful herb that can do much for our bodies, both as a single leaf tea and in specialist blends.
If this minty, lemony tea has been around this long, has all these abilities and is good enough for royals of the past millennia, then why are we all not drinking it? You can find Valley Tea Lemon Balm in 50gm and 100gm bags and you can buy yours by clicking here.
And when you sit down to enjoy your deliciously brewed and warm loose-leaf Valley Tea Lemon Balm, remember to raise your mug and cheers to good health and longevity.
* Our tea is not designed to be a weight loss method or a cure for any medical conditions a person may have. If any serious medical conditions have occurred or continue, please seek medical advice. Results may be varied*
Sources:
https://herbsarespecial.com.au/plant-information/herb-inform
https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/12-things-to-do-wit
https://draxe.com/lemon-balm/
https://www.herbco.com/t-lemon-balm.aspx
