Balm for the scholars
MELISSA, Melissa officinalis or Lemon Balm, is a member of the Lamiacea family, native to southern Europe and grows to lm in well-drained soil. It has lemon scented leaves and produces small white flowers in late summer and grows very well in Cyprus. Its name is derived from the Greek for honeybee and will grow readily from seed or cuttings.
Paracelcis l5c. physician and philosopher called it the ‘Elixir of life’ and John Evelyn l7c. diarist said “it chaseth away melancholy’’.
Melissa, like all other members of this family, contains a volatile oil which is extracted by steam distillation, however, the yield on this plant is between 0.l and 0.2 per cent, thereby making it an extremely expensive product. Citral, a constituent of the oil, is known to calm the central nervous system. The best quality oil may cost over £4,000 a litre.
Lemongrass and Citronella are commonly used to adulterate Melissa oil, which is usually marketed as ‘Melissa type’. Beware of cheap Melissa oil.
The action of Melissa is anti-spasmodic, anti-depressant, anti-histamine and anti-viral as well as being a mild tranquilliser, a nerve relaxant and anti-bacterial. It is used to strengthen the brain against shock and stress and relieve low spirits and anxiety neurosis.
It is the polyphenols in the plant that create the anti-viral properties and have proved most effective in the treatment of the herpes simplex virus, which produces cold sores. According to recent research the average healing time of cold sores was halved and the time between outbreaks doubled. The oil is also used to treat herpes zoster and chicken pox by gently applying a dilute solution to the infected area.
Melissa is generally taken in the form of tea for the relief of depression and anxiety; it will lift the spirit and dispel the black mood.
Known for centuries as the ‘scholars’ herb’ it was used by medieval monastic scholars to sustain them while labouring over their manuscripts. It has always been very popular with students facing exams as it was believed to improve their memory and relieve exam nerves. The claims for this were investigated by the Department of Chemistry at Sheffield University in the North of England who subjected a group of their undergraduates to an experiment using Melissa tea at exam times over the duration of their course. It was found that the group selected for the trial not only achieved better results but were much calmer at exam time than their colleagues.
Apart from the foregoing, Melissa is used to combat flu, fevers, muscular aches and pains, nausea and stomach cramps. Melissa is hormonal and is now used to reduce hyperythyroidism.
The delicate lemon flavour is popular with cooks and the leaves may be added to salads and summer drinks.
Beekeepers rub Melissa on the outside of empty hives to encourage new tenants.
Next week rosemary
