Lemon balm can grow to about 4 ft tall. The leaves are oval in shape. When they are crushed, they have a lemony smell. There are little white flowers.

Lemon balm is a bee plant, and comes from the word 'balsam', meaning balm for your sorrows.

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It can be good for a number of conditions:-

~ Nervous complaints
~ Internally for viral complaints, such as
cold sores, shingles, cold and flu
~ Externally for cold sores
~ In menopause, to ease symptoms
~ To help regulate periods and reduce period
pains.

The parts used are the leaves and flowers. You can take it as an infusion. Take 200 ml (8 fl oz) 3 times a day for headaches and nervous conditions. You can prepare it as a cream or ointment to use on cold sores. Or use it as an essential oil in an oil burner to uplift your spirits, or you can add it to your bath to relieve stress and tension.

*Do not* use the oil internally. And *don't* add the oild to a baby's bath, as the baby can digest some of it by sucking their fingers.

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To make an infusion, simply warm up a teapot, and add the leaves of the herb. Boil the kettle and add boiling water. Leave the pot to stand, letting the tea brew for about 10 minutes. Use a tea strainer and pour the tea into a cup.