Lemon grass

GREENIT! LEMON GRASS

Lemon grass or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a popular, fragrant, perennial herb belonging to the mint family, known and used for its sedative, antispasmodic and antiviral effects.

Detailed characteristics:

• Appearance: A bushy plant, growing to a height of 30-80 cm, with ovate leaves with a lacy edge and a characteristic lemon scent when rubbed. Its white, yellowish-white or pale purple flowers bloom in summer (June-August). It loves light and warmth, but can also tolerate partial shade, and is not picky about soil, but prefers nutrient-rich, moist soil.
• Active ingredients: Essential oils (citronellal, citral), tannins, flavonoids, caffeic acid, resin and saponin.
• Possible beneficial effects:
  • Nervous system: Excellent sedative, excellent stress reliever, helps with falling asleep and reduces anxiety.
  • • Digestion: Helps digestion with its antispasmodic effect, reduces bloating and stomach cramps.
  • Antiviral: Particularly effective against the herpes virus (Herpes simplex), in creams or tinctures.
  • Heart: Relieves nervous heart symptoms.
  • Possible applications:
  • • Tea: to relieve the above symptoms.
    • Tincture: to relieve the above symptoms.
    • Essential oil: to relieve the above symptoms.
    • Creams: Externally, for skin problems.
  • Cultivation and care:
    • Planting: Can be propagated by sowing seeds in spring or by dividing the stem in spring/autumn.
    • Care: Easy to grow, tolerates drought, but appreciates watering.
  Harvesting: Its leaves should be collected before flowering (June-July), when its essential oil content is highest.