The Perfect Herb for Anxiety and Depression?
Is this THE herb for anxiety and depression?
I have had lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) growing in my garden since my Grannie planted it there herself. It is a happy herb that returns year after year uncomplainingly. If you brush against this vibrant green herb it releases it’s beautiful fresh lemony scent, so uplifting and sunshiney.
So why is this humble herb that grows so easily in the garden soooo useful as herbal medicine?
Well, as a herbalist, I find that I am using Lemon balm more and more with clients for an increasingly common dual difficulty- depression coupled with anxiety.
I find that a lot of people who experience one also experience the other. So because of this I want to use a herb that is calming and soothing as well as being uplifting. And this is exactly what Lemon balm offers us!
This herb is a gorgeous nervine that is calming and soothing to the nervous system without being heavy and sedating.
However, due to it’s light and uplifting essential oils it is also gently enlivening and so lightens the spirits. Therefore it calms any anxiety whilst lifting the mood and energy of the individual. What a powerful combination!
This herb likes to be used fresh as often the essential oils that offer the uplifting effect are lost during the drying process for making dried herbal tea.
This is why I like to make a herbal tincture with the fresh herb, so capturing all the life force and all the medicinal benefits in the tincture. You could also gather the herb fresh to make a beautiful herbal tea that couples well with fresh mint. Just put 2 teaspoons of the fresh herbs into a cup, pour not quite boiling water over them and cover the cup, so that you keep in all the volatile oils. Then strain after 15 or so minutes and enjoy!
Or you could try a cold water infusion in which you pour cold water over the fresh herb and leave it there for around 30+ mins, then strain and drink. Delicious!
Lemon balm can also be used to treat the Herpes virus! If I get a cold sore I know it’s my body’s way of telling me that I need to slow down and take better care of myself. The way I use Lemon balm then is to take it as a tea, internally as a tincture and i put the tincture directly onto the cold sore as well! I have found that it really clears the cold sore up quickly and my body and mind are supported to take better, calm care of myself at the same time- bonus!
The essential oil of lemon balm is called Melissa, it is a gorgeous lemon scent and is unfortunately very expensive! It can be used in a diffuser to support with any heavy feelings of depression and with anxiety.
I really recommend that you grow some lemon balm in your garden though as it’s so easy to grow and is so beautiful to use fresh as a tea.
I use Lemon balm in my Calm herbal tincture alongside Chamomile, Passionflower and Skullcap to soothe away any stresses and to provide an uplift of spirits to support you to live a calmer and happier life each day. If you would like to try this tincture or just learn more about it click here!
To explore other beautiful herbal teas and spiced drinks to support you on your journey through each day click here
May your days be calm, relaxed and full of joy,
With love and herbal blessings,
Jane
You can find my Wild Spring Herbal Remedy Course here
To find which flower essence is calling to support you right now click here
Jane Christie is the Herbalist and Flower Essence Producer at Spiral Soul Apothecary. Jane has been working with herbs and flowers for over 20 years. She believes deeply in the healing powers of nature to bring us back into alignment with our soul, sparking our spirit alive and bringing our body into vibrant health.
Jane offers online Herbal Courses, Herbal teas, tinctures, creams and flower essences, as well as talks and workshops.
You can find her through her website spiralsoul.co.uk
