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Post by artisans on Jul 19, 2011 17:47:56 GMT 2
I found this report recently and I could be sitting on a fortune.
LEMON BALM TO THE RESCUE
In addition to keeping biting bugs at bay, lemon balm has a long history of medicinal use. Cultivated in the Mediterranean region for the past 2,000 years, this perennial herb was prized for its catchall curative properties. During the Middle Ages, King Charles V of France was said to drink lemon balm tea daily for his health. Paracelsus, a Swiss Renaissance physician, called lemon balm the “elixir of life.” And in the 17th century, the French Carmelite nuns made their famous Carmelite Water with lemon balm and other herbs to treat nervous headaches and neuralgia. Today, lemon balm is gaining acceptance as a useful herb for modern stress-related maladies.
It seems that some forms of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) are nearly 38 percent citronellal and not only do its leaves have a rich, zippy, lemon smell, but these compounds can repel mosquitoes.
I've got a garden full of it ....
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kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
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Post by kaz on Jul 20, 2011 10:17:25 GMT 2
Glad you told us about that Steve, I have one which I brought with me when I moved, it's now amongst the weeds on the canal bank, will have to try and "sort it out".....I never did use it for anything, just ornamental......
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kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
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Post by kaz on Jul 21, 2011 14:25:25 GMT 2
Re; Lemon Balm..........eureka among the stinging nettles there was the Lemon Balm.....now what do I do with it to stop the pesky mozzies? ...I await your reply Steve......and no rude answers everyone!!!
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Post by artisans on Jul 21, 2011 17:00:59 GMT 2
Rub it on all over, kaz - crushing the leaves releases the oils.
Steve
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kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
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Post by kaz on Jul 21, 2011 18:00:00 GMT 2
Thanks Steve...........the only is I can't take it to Roda.....will just have to RAID your garden!!!!!
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