Lemon balm has been known as a medicinal plant since ancient times, but in Europe it is mainly used as a medicinal and culinary plant. The health effect is based on the essential oil contained in the leaves. This consists of citral, citronellal, geranial and neral. It also contains beta-caryohyllene and the tannins rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. The essential oil has antimicrobial and antiviral effects.
Lemon balm to soothe irritated skin
Because of its anti-inflammatory and calming effect, the essential oil is often a component of cosmetics. In particular, the group of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives makes it useful to use extracts from lemon balm leaves in the skin area. In cosmetics, lemon balm is therefore often used to soothe skin impurities, dry skin and skin inflammations. Due to its pronounced antiviral, antimicrobial and fungicidal effect, lemon balm is also predestined for the treatment of herpes labialis, herpes simplex, eczema and wounds.
The herbalist Künzle, born in 1857, recommended washing with lemon balm tea for a wide variety of skin problems. For dry, sensitive and ageing skin, a soothing facial tonic with lemon balm is ideal. According to experience, the hydrolate is excellent for the care of irritated skin and for skin rashes. It is wonderfully suitable as a soothing facial tonic. For inflamed skin, it is recommended to use compresses or baths. For this, 50 g lemon balm leaves are poured over 1 litre of hot water, left to infuse for 10 minutes and the extract is added after straining.
