Magical and Medicinal Uses of Lemon Balm

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Comfort, Happiness, Healing, Stress Relief, Success

Other Names: Balm, Balme, Melissa

Magical Uses and History: Lemon balm, also known as Melissa, derives its name from the Latin melissa meaning bee. According to Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who could take the form of a bee and who discovered honey. She and the other nymphs fed honey to infant Zeus, helping him gain his strength and power. Lemon balm is a favorite among bees, who rely heavily on it for food. It was often planted to attract bees and pollinators to an area, especially among apiarists or beekeepers. As such, Gerard suggests that apiarists could rub the leaves of lemon balm on the inside of empty hives to attract new swarms to inhabit them and prevent existing hives from swarming. According to Pliny the Elder, lemon balm can also be planted near bee hives to encourage bees to return to their hives. As such, lemon balm is deeply associated with bees and honey, therefore tying this plant to joy and happiness. It can therefore be used in spells to bring joy and happiness as well as any spells or rituals to attract bees or success. It is usually enjoyed as a tea, but can also be burned as an incense, added to spell bags, used in bath teas, hung around the home, or even used as an essential oil in a diffuser for the aforementioned purposes. If you wish to attract pollinators and raise bees yourself, plant lemon balm in your garden to ensure your success.

Other than its association with bees, lemon balm has also historically been used in medicine to treat a variety of ailments, especially melancholy, anxiety, and acute stress but also toothaches, gout, and bites. The name officinalis means "used in medicine" and lemon balm certainly has been. The Greeks and Romans were among the first to use lemon balm with records of its use as far back as 300 BC. It was often added to wine to treat fevers and toothaches or crushed to make a poultice to staunch bleeding. In the ninth century, Charlemagne decreed lemon balm to be included in all monastery and apothecary gardens because of its healing properties and its potential to increase one's life span. By the 1500s, English herbalists such as Gerard and Culpeper wrote about the healing effects of lemon balm, calling for it to be added to wine to ward against the bites of "venomous beasts," drive away depression, and even prevent fainting. Lemon balm was so well-known for its healing abilities that it was even included in literature and poetry, from Virgil's Georgics to Homer's Odyssey to Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor. Lemon balm continues to be praised for its healing abilities and is a staple among herbalists. As such, lemon balm can be used in spells and rituals for health, wellness, and longevity. Add to spell bags for health, place under the pillow or bed of a sick person to bring swift healing, serve as a magic tea to promote wellness, or add to a ritual bath to destress and soothe tension. It can also be added to spells you want to be longer lasting due to its association with longevity and immortality.

Because of its comforting nature and antidepressive qualities, lemon balm can also be used to dispel grief and release that which no longer serves you, especially when burned as incense or added to a ritual bath. Lemon balm oil can also be used to anoint candles for such purposes.

Lemon Balm can be used in a number of spells including:

   Healing Spells

   Happiness Spells

   Dispelling Negativity

   Bee Attraction

   Success Magic

Medicinal Uses: There is some debate on whether or not lemon balm should be used fresh or dried. While the volatile oils in lemon balm are strong in fresh leaves, dried leaves have been shown to be just as effective at treating diseases and disorders. Lemon balm is a carminative herb that is able to soothe digestive spasms and flatulence. It's also antidepressive and commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, tension, and stress. Because it is also a mild sedative, it can be used to treat ADHD. Lemon balm can also be used to lower blood pressure due to its tonic effect on the heart and circulatory system. Due to its antiviral properties specific to shingles and herpes, lemon balm can be used topically and internally to treat both viral outbreaks. Lemon balm combines well with other calming herbs such as lavender, chamomile, and meadowsweet.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine 1 cup of boiling water with 2-3 teaspoons of dried leaves or four to six fresh leaves. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink morning and evening or as needed. Take 10-15 drops up to three times a day as a tincture. To create a salve, combine 1 cup fresh or dried lemon balm with 1/4 cup olive oil (or another carrier oil) over low heat. Lightly simmer for 2 hours before straining and stirring in 1/4 beeswax pellets or coconut oil. Apply topically as needed. Lemon balm can also be used as a poultice by mashing fresh leaves with a small amount of water to form a paste and applying directly to sores, cuts, abrasions, bruises, bee stings, bites, cold sores, etc.

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