Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has been a subject on television lately. You may be surprised to find out that it has been around (and probably in your local nurseries and plant shops) for a long time. Its leaves closely resemble the spearmint plant, but it has a sweet lemon essence to it that makes it easily identifiable. The name for lemon balm is Melissa Officinalis, which comes from the Greek for "honey bee," and it does indeed have some of the same tonic properties as honey and royal jelly.

When used as a tea, lemon balm makes a great morning starter drink. It brings that uplift to the spirit we all want, and this makes it a great drink for those who suffer from depression. It is also ideal for anyone who suffers digestive upsets when worried or anxious. Being a member of the mint family, it has a cooling nature, and this makes it a good choice for feverish colds. The tea is best fresh and can be enjoyed hot or cold. It can even be applied as a wash for sores or swellings. To obtain these healthful benefits from fresh leaves, be sure to harvest them BEFORE the plant flowers. 

If tea is not your thing, another option is tincture. Tinctures are made by extracting the therapeutic properties from the leaves into an alcohol, vinegar, or glycerine base. (This base preserves the tonic, giving it a bit longer shelf life than the fresh or dehydrated leaves have.) Tinctures are concentrated, so it takes less to accomplish the same thing as a cup of tea, but in general, can be used for the same reasons and oftentimes in the same ways as the tea. 

A compress can also be made from the tea for painful swellings such as gout. This does not resolve the cause of the gout, but can relieve the discomfort experienced with it. 

For insect repellent or caring for insect bites, ointments can be made and applied liberally on the skin directly. Massage oil is another way to topically apply lemon balm for these things. Topical applications can be quite beneficial for tension, particularly for nervous, restless or agitated children. 

Lemon balm can be found as an essential oil as well. Keep in mind that distilling the oils from leaves and petals and barks of plants can require a lot of plant material, which can make pricing differ from oil to oil. Sometimes, lemon balm essential oil will be labeled as Sweet Melissa, or just Melissa. Because of its relaxing nature, this essential oil is oftentimes quite helpful for menstrual cramps and irregularities. The essential oil can also be dispersed in the air through a diffuser and bring calm to the atmosphere. 

Consider lemon balm in one form or another for these problems:

stress-related facial blemishes
skin inflammationis
insect bites
stress & anxiety

menstrual cramps

fever blisters

shingles pain

spasms

fever

flatulence

stagnant liver function

insomnia

gallbladder complaints

emotional balance

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is actually a shrub found in Mexico and southwest America. It's a rather interesting and lovely plant as well. At first glance, one wouldn't think this shrub had much to offer,.....on the contrary!

Jojoba oil (pronounced "ho-HO-bah") is a fantastic oil, particularly for the skin. It has been used historically by many indigenous cultures, but has become popular by the masses just in the last few decades. What makes it so great? Let me count the ways:

1- It is very similar to the natural oils the body already makes. These oils you make are necessary for good health to the skin, yet we do things frequently that alter the balance of that moisture, such as chemical creams and ointments, chlorine swimming pools, soaps and sprays... Restoring that natural moisture balance with jojoba oil can brighten the natural glow your skin is happy to show you.

2- Jojoba is actually anti-bacterial. SURPRISE! That's right, it is. That means it is effective in wound care on the skin. It can act as both a barrier to protect against bacterial infection and as an approach to taking care of infections already present. This is one use Native Americans have used for centuries.

3- It's also an anti-inflammatory, which means it can reduce the redness and irritation of skin injuries and discomforts. Because of this effect, acne can be cared for with the use of jojoba oil. That's a great thing to know! Every year, people spend thousands of dollars on skin care products trying to combat acne and the appearances it brings about. Many of these products contain animal fats, which actually tend to make acne even worse.

4- If we just consider the uses mentioned thus far, it is easy to see how the use of jojoba oil can have an anti-aging effect also. Moisture, protection from bacteria, reducing redness and swellings,... makes sense to me!

5- Unlike other oils, jojoba does not go rancid or need refrigeration to maintain a lifespan. It has a pleasant fragrance of its own as well, making it a good oil to use by itself or in a combination product.

6- Because the oils come from the waxy substance in the seeds, it makes a great base for cosmetics and skincare products you may choose to make yourself. That means not only does it take care of your skin, not clog your pores, and smell good,...but it also improves the quality of your beauty products that YOU make!

Many massage therapists will use jojoba oil in their practices. Many nail technicians use jojoba oil for caring the hands of their clients. Many beauticians use jojoba oil for the health of their clients hair. Perhaps it's time for you to give jojoba oil another thought and see the results for yourself!



Information contained in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or otherwise act in a medical treatment plan. It is strictly for educational purposes and expresses the authors personal experiences. As with any health care protocol, seek the counsel of your doctor.

for more information, please see these sites:
http://mybeautybunny.com/4-skin-health-benefits-jojoba-oil/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/87154-jojoba-oil-benefits/