Lemon balm tea: reasons to include this drink in your routine

If you are not yet a fan of teas, you will change your mind when you know all the benefits of lemon balm tea! The drink, prepared by infusing the leaves of the plant belonging to the mint, mint and boldo family, is a good choice for any time of day. After all, there’s nothing like taking some time for yourself, resting and enjoying a delicious tea.

Curious about the positive effects of lemon balm tea on the body? Then check out more details on the subject:

7 benefits of lemon balm tea

The nutritionist, phytotherapist and nutritional coaching Ana Paula Moura (CRN 95100221) explains that the Melissa officinalis, better known as lemon balm, is composed of essential oils, iridoids and flavonoids, principles that confer pharmacological actions to the plant. Therefore, lemon balm can offer several benefits to the body:

1. Soothing action;
2. Sedative action;
3. Antispasmodic (helping with menstrual and intestinal cramps);
4. Digestive action;
5. Anticatarrhal;
6. flu;
7. Mild pain reliever.

Lemon balm is a medicinal plant and is therefore associated with herbal treatments. According to Ana Paula, it is recommended to drink 1 to 2 cups of tea a day under the guidance of a herbalist.

How to make lemon balm tea

For those who have never made lemon balm tea, a message: it’s very easy and takes just a few minutes! Learn how to prepare:

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water;
• 3 tablespoons of lemon balm.

Preparation mode

1. First, boil water in a pot or kettle;
2. Then, add the 3 tablespoons of lemon balm to the water and wait for 5 minutes;
3. Turn off the heat and leave the pot/kettle covered for another 10 minutes;
4. Finally, strain the tea and wait for it to get warm before drinking it.

Ana Paula reiterates that lemon balm tea should not be sweetened with white sugar, as it adds a high caloric value to the drink and brings many health hazards. “The ideal is to consume tea without sweeteners, whether sugar or artificial. However, we can use strategies for flavoring, such as adding a piece of cinnamon stick, 5 to 6 cloves, dried fruits and also coconut sugar”, he adds.

Questions about lemon balm tea

Many people have doubts about the effects of lemon balm tea on the body. Ana Paula clarifies the main questions:

Lemon balm tea for weight loss? Directly, do not lose weight. However, it acts as a tranquilizer with anxiolytic power that keeps the body more balanced, preventing the person from eating compulsively.

Lemon balm tea in pregnancy, what is it for? There are few studies based on herbal medicine on the ingestion of teas during pregnancy. Therefore, consumption without the recommendation of an obstetrician and/or herbalist is not advisable.

Can someone with high blood pressure drink lemon balm tea? Yes, because tea has a hypotensive characteristic. However, the dose and method of preparation must be respected so that the pressure does not reach pressure levels that pose health risks.

Is it better to drink the tea hot or cold? There is no difference, unless you have followed the indicated way of making the tea. The main recommendation is to keep the tea in a bottle with a lid that is well sealed to freeze.

What is the difference between natural herb tea and bagged tea? The difference is industrialization. The fresh herb retains all its natural properties, while in the sachets the substances that give the plant power of action are lost because they are very volatile. The ideal is to opt for teas made with leaves, stems or natural roots.

When making tea, lemon balm can also be mixed with other plants, such as fennel, which is rich in digestive properties; mulungu, a medicinal plant with a sedative effect; and chamomile, which has a calming effect.

Lemon balm tea side effects

• Pressure drop: some studies suggest that the plant causes slight dilation in peripheral blood vessels, which would help to reduce blood pressure;
• Drowsiness: as it has a calming and sedative effect, lemon balm tea can cause drowsiness. Therefore, it is recommended not to take it when working or performing any other activity that requires attention.

The side effects of lemon balm tea are possible risks when there is an excessive intake of the drink. According to the herbal medicine form of the National Health Surveillance Agency, the ideal is to ingest up to 3 cups a day, without exceeding the amount of 12 grams of plant leaves or 450 ml of tea.

The positives of lemon balm tea are numerous compared to the side effects it can cause. If ingested in the right dose, the drink only has benefits for your body!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.