Melissa, a medicinal herb with a wonderful lemon flavor, has earned great popularity. The tea component is the most common use of lemon balm. This plant has an excellent taste and a variety of beneficial properties. However, not all herbs are allowed to be used during pregnancy – some of them can harm the health of the expectant mother and baby. How is it with lemon balm? Women’s “green doctor”

Fragrant lemon balm (lemongrass, mint, honeydew), known to people for more than 3 thousand years, has useful and healing properties. Among the people there is another name for lemon balm – lemon mint, by the way, not entirely correct, because lemon balm and mint, although they belong to the same family, have a different biological genus.

Outwardly, the plant looks like mint, they can easily be confused out of habit, however, if you rub the leaves, then lemon balm will give out a smell with pronounced lemon notes. Essential oil is what gives melissa medicinal properties. It is found in the aerial part of the plant, and fresh flowering stems are processed to obtain it. The raw materials are dried at a low temperature, this contributes to the preservation of the essential oil in lemon balm.

Melissa essential oil is sold in pharmacies. It is forbidden to take it orally during pregnancy. Even one drop added to tea can cause negative effects. External use must be agreed with the doctor and, having received permission, use the number of drops, two times less than indicated in the recipes.

The chemical composition of essential oil is quite rich:

more than 200 different monoterpene compounds (monoterpenes are the main component of essential oils);
phenylpropanoids (plant organic compounds, rosemary, caffeic and other acids);
flavonoids (plant substances, dyes, antioxidants with antimicrobial action);
phenolcarboxylic acids;
tannins (have an astringent effect);
coumarins (protect the plant in diseases, affect its growth);
vitamins (β-carotene, B1, B2, C);
macronutrients (iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium);
trace elements (copper, zinc, nickel, selenium, manganese, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum).
The above biologically active substances have a therapeutic effect on the human body. Can be compiled a long list of useful properties that lemon balm has:

it reduces emotional stress, promotes calm, without causing drowsiness (sedative property);
improves mood, relieves feelings of lethargy, anxiety, melancholy in depressive patients due to the effect of an antidepressant;
promotes natural and deep sleep;
acts as an immunomodulator;
has antimicrobial and antiviral properties;
lowers high blood pressure;
used for asthma and shortness of breath;
prescribed for painful menstruation;
helps eliminate migraine;
able to suppress or reduce the gag reflex;
favorably affects appetite;
recommended for use as a mild diuretic. Is it possible to drink lemon balm pregnant, including in the early and late stages

Pregnancy imposes on the expectant mother a great responsibility for her well-being and the health of the baby. Some healthy foods and drinks that could previously be consumed without significant concern can now harm both of them. Note that the use of lemon balm is considered quite safe during pregnancy, however, a woman should be aware of the possible dangers that lie in wait, as well as all the positive qualities of the plant.

Phytotherapy is not at all a harmless occupation for pregnant women. And although lemon balm is not included in the list of prohibited plants, there may be individual contraindications for its use.

In the instructions for lemon balm, pregnancy is not indicated as a contraindication. Nevertheless, it is impossible to actively include tea with lemon balm in the diet without consulting a doctor.

Benefits in different trimesters of pregnancy

The medical instructions indicate as the main sedative effect of this herbal remedy, that is, the main effect it has is calming and relieving anxiety, strengthening the nervous system. But a doctor can prescribe it to a future mother not only as a natural antidepressant, when a woman is disturbed by mood swings, tearfulness, and increased emotional sensitivity due to hormonal changes in the body. The list of indications also includes other conditions:

Toxicosis in the early stages is a problem for many pregnant women. The antiemetic effect of lemon balm will have the desired effect and help alleviate the condition women.
If pregnancy is accompanied by edema, then lemon balm with diuretic properties will help remove excess water from the body.
Expectant mothers often suffer from migraines. In this case, the doctor may recommend compresses with a decoction or a couple of drops of lemon balm essential oil.
In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, a woman may be disturbed by problems of the gastrointestinal tract. Melissa normalizes his work, relieves spasms, improves appetite, in case of constipation, a slight laxative effect of the plant comes to the rescue.
Vitamin C contained in lemon balm strengthens the immune system, helps the body fight viruses and bacteria. This useful herb can be used as an aid in the treatment of colds or flu in pregnant women.
Melissa eliminates insomnia and promotes good, sound sleep. Contraindications and limitations

Restrictions in use, like all medicinal herbs, there are also lemon balm. A doctor may prohibit a woman from taking tea or lemon balm infusion for a number of reasons:

Low blood pressure in pregnancy is hypotension. The blood vessels are in a state of low tone. The action of lemon balm will lower the pressure even more, and all together will cause poor health.
Individual intolerance, if there is an allergy to lemon balm or even mint related to it.
It is believed that this plant is able to stimulate the action of the female hormonal sphere, and this can contribute to unwanted changes in the hormonal background and the appearance of a threatened miscarriage. The question of the severity of the action of phytohormones in science is still controversial, but in any case, the use of lemon balm during pregnancy should be strictly limited to the scheme of taking tea or infusion that your doctor recommends.

It should be remembered: lemon balm is contraindicated for constantly low pressure and allergies.

In the use of infusion, caution is needed if the patient has any of the following diseases:

stomach ulcer;
liver failure;
epilepsy;
duodenal ulcer;
chronic alcoholism;
disturbances in the work of the central nervous system.
In addition, there are a number of possible side effects when using lemon balm:

vomiting and nausea;
muscle weakness, fatigue;
dizziness, condition drowsiness;
diarrhea;
constipation;
convulsions;
heartburn;
lethargy and loss of concentration;
skin itching.
These consequences develop with intolerance or a serious excess of the recommended dosages and require discontinuation of treatment.

Melissa is a boon for the female body, but do not forget: caution does not hurt! Before use, be sure to consult a doctor who, knowing your state of health and familiar with the course of pregnancy, will decide whether to include lemon balm in the diet and what dosage should be preferred. How to use with benefit

There are various ways to prepare medicinal products from lemon balm:

water infusion – for ingestion or externally for poultices (the difference will be in the proportions of water and grass);
alcohol tincture – prepared with vodka or alcohol;
fresh lemon balm leaves – used for migraine compresses, for various injuries;
tea with lemon balm – water infusion on lemon balm of low concentration or adding a small amount of herbs when brewing black or green tea.
In addition, fresh leaves are also used in cooking as an additive to drinks and desserts, and dried leaves are used as a seasoning for second courses. The doctor may also recommend chewing fresh lemon balm to relieve an attack of nausea. In this case, specify how many leaves will be your daily portion, because, of course, you cannot eat this grass in bunches.

Important! Do not confuse water infusion and alcohol tincture. Tincture due to the content of ethyl alcohol is categorically contraindicated for expectant mothers.

Black or green tea with lemon balm

The greatest popularity in the culinary environment, perhaps, was won by tea with lemon balm. The leaves of the plant can be added to black or green tea, or just lemon balm tea can be prepared. Before drinking or drying, lemon balm leaves should be washed well.

For 1 teaspoon of lemon balm (crushed fresh or dry leaves), 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea (black or green) is taken. The mixture must be poured with hot, but not boiling water – 300-400 ml and let it brew for 10 minutes. You will get two cups of a fragrant drink that can be drunk chilled.

Do not abuse herbal teas. Ask your doctor how many cups is safe for you, if you can drink the drink on an empty stomach, if you should add lemon or honey, and follow the instructions. advice.

Light or rich medicinal infusion

Here is the recipe for the infusion from the medical instructions for the dried herb of lemon balm: pour 2 tablespoons of lemon balm into 1 glass of hot water, heat under the lid in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. It is recommended to store the product in the refrigerator.

The infusion is much more concentrated than tea. Without a doctor’s appointment, the expectant mother cannot be taken, and even more so drink in glasses. The doctor prescribes an individual regimen for taking this remedy, depending on the disease.

For migraines in an infusion of lemon balm, moisten the cloth and apply on the forehead for 30 minutes.

Melissa infusion can also be used for skin care, it refreshes and tones. If you freeze it in molds, you get an excellent cosmetic ice.

Melissa, a medicinal herb with a wonderful lemon flavor, has earned great popularity. The tea component is the most common use of lemon balm. This plant has an excellent taste and a variety of beneficial properties. However, not all herbs are allowed to be used during pregnancy – some of them can harm the health of the expectant mother and baby. How is it with lemon balm? Women’s “green doctor”

Fragrant lemon balm (lemongrass, mint, honeydew), known to people for more than 3 thousand years, has useful and healing properties. Among the people there is another name for lemon balm – lemon mint, by the way, not entirely correct, because lemon balm and mint, although they belong to the same family, have a different biological genus.

Outwardly, the plant looks like mint, they can easily be confused out of habit, however, if you rub the leaves, then lemon balm will give out a smell with pronounced lemon notes. Essential oil is what gives melissa medicinal properties. It is found in the aerial part of the plant, and fresh flowering stems are processed to obtain it. The raw materials are dried at a low temperature, this contributes to the preservation of the essential oil in lemon balm.

Melissa essential oil is sold in pharmacies. It is forbidden to take it orally during pregnancy. Even one drop added to tea can cause negative effects. External use must be agreed with the doctor and, having received permission, use the number of drops, two times less than indicated in the recipes.

The chemical composition of essential oil is quite rich:

more than 200 different monoterpene compounds (monoterpenes are the main component of essential oils);
phenylpropanoids (plant organic compounds, rosemary, caffeic and other acids);
flavonoids (plant substances, dyes, antioxidants with antimicrobial action);
phenolcarboxylic acids;
tannins (have an astringent effect);
coumarins (protect the plant in diseases, affect its growth);
vitamins (β-carotene, B1, B2, C);
macronutrients (iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium);
trace elements (copper, zinc, nickel, selenium, manganese, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum).
The above biologically active substances have a therapeutic effect on the human body. Can be compiled a long list of useful properties that lemon balm has:

it reduces emotional stress, promotes calm, without causing drowsiness (sedative property);
improves mood, relieves feelings of lethargy, anxiety, melancholy in depressive patients due to the effect of an antidepressant;
promotes natural and deep sleep;
acts as an immunomodulator;
has antimicrobial and antiviral properties;
lowers high blood pressure;
used for asthma and shortness of breath;
prescribed for painful menstruation;
helps eliminate migraine;
able to suppress or reduce the gag reflex;
favorably affects appetite;
recommended for use as a mild diuretic. Is it possible to drink lemon balm pregnant, including in the early and late stages

Pregnancy imposes on the expectant mother a great responsibility for her well-being and the health of the baby. Some healthy foods and drinks that could previously be consumed without significant concern can now harm both of them. Note that the use of lemon balm is considered quite safe during pregnancy, however, a woman should be aware of the possible dangers that lie in wait, as well as all the positive qualities of the plant.

Phytotherapy is not at all a harmless occupation for pregnant women. And although lemon balm is not included in the list of prohibited plants, there may be individual contraindications for its use.

In the instructions for lemon balm, pregnancy is not indicated as a contraindication. Nevertheless, it is impossible to actively include tea with lemon balm in the diet without consulting a doctor.

Benefits in different trimesters of pregnancy

The medical instructions indicate as the main sedative effect of this herbal remedy, that is, the main effect it has is calming and relieving anxiety, strengthening the nervous system. But a doctor can prescribe it to a future mother not only as a natural antidepressant, when a woman is disturbed by mood swings, tearfulness, and increased emotional sensitivity due to hormonal changes in the body. The list of indications also includes other conditions:

Toxicosis in the early stages is a problem for many pregnant women. The antiemetic effect of lemon balm will have the desired effect and help alleviate the condition women.
If pregnancy is accompanied by edema, then lemon balm with diuretic properties will help remove excess water from the body.
Expectant mothers often suffer from migraines. In this case, the doctor may recommend compresses with a decoction or a couple of drops of lemon balm essential oil.
In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, a woman may be disturbed by problems of the gastrointestinal tract. Melissa normalizes his work, relieves spasms, improves appetite, in case of constipation, a slight laxative effect of the plant comes to the rescue.
Vitamin C contained in lemon balm strengthens the immune system, helps the body fight viruses and bacteria. This useful herb can be used as an aid in the treatment of colds or flu in pregnant women.
Melissa eliminates insomnia and promotes good, sound sleep. Contraindications and limitations

Restrictions in use, like all medicinal herbs, there are also lemon balm. A doctor may prohibit a woman from taking tea or lemon balm infusion for a number of reasons:

Low blood pressure in pregnancy is hypotension. The blood vessels are in a state of low tone. The action of lemon balm will lower the pressure even more, and all together will cause poor health.
Individual intolerance, if there is an allergy to lemon balm or even mint related to it.
It is believed that this plant is able to stimulate the action of the female hormonal sphere, and this can contribute to unwanted changes in the hormonal background and the appearance of a threatened miscarriage. The question of the severity of the action of phytohormones in science is still controversial, but in any case, the use of lemon balm during pregnancy should be strictly limited to the scheme of taking tea or infusion that your doctor recommends.

It should be remembered: lemon balm is contraindicated for constantly low pressure and allergies.

In the use of infusion, caution is needed if the patient has any of the following diseases:

stomach ulcer;
liver failure;
epilepsy;
duodenal ulcer;
chronic alcoholism;
disturbances in the work of the central nervous system.
In addition, there are a number of possible side effects when using lemon balm:

vomiting and nausea;
muscle weakness, fatigue;
dizziness, condition drowsiness;
diarrhea;
constipation;
convulsions;
heartburn;
lethargy and loss of concentration;
skin itching.
These consequences develop with intolerance or a serious excess of the recommended dosages and require discontinuation of treatment.

Melissa is a boon for the female body, but do not forget: caution does not hurt! Before use, be sure to consult a doctor who, knowing your state of health and familiar with the course of pregnancy, will decide whether to include lemon balm in the diet and what dosage should be preferred. How to use with benefit

There are various ways to prepare medicinal products from lemon balm:

water infusion – for ingestion or externally for poultices (the difference will be in the proportions of water and grass);
alcohol tincture – prepared with vodka or alcohol;
fresh lemon balm leaves – used for migraine compresses, for various injuries;
tea with lemon balm – water infusion on lemon balm of low concentration or adding a small amount of herbs when brewing black or green tea.
In addition, fresh leaves are also used in cooking as an additive to drinks and desserts, and dried leaves are used as a seasoning for second courses. The doctor may also recommend chewing fresh lemon balm to relieve an attack of nausea. In this case, specify how many leaves will be your daily portion, because, of course, you cannot eat this grass in bunches.

Important! Do not confuse water infusion and alcohol tincture. Tincture due to the content of ethyl alcohol is categorically contraindicated for expectant mothers.

Black or green tea with lemon balm

The greatest popularity in the culinary environment, perhaps, was won by tea with lemon balm. The leaves of the plant can be added to black or green tea, or just lemon balm tea can be prepared. Before drinking or drying, lemon balm leaves should be washed well.

For 1 teaspoon of lemon balm (crushed fresh or dry leaves), 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea (black or green) is taken. The mixture must be poured with hot, but not boiling water – 300-400 ml and let it brew for 10 minutes. You will get two cups of a fragrant drink that can be drunk chilled.

Do not abuse herbal teas. Ask your doctor how many cups is safe for you, if you can drink the drink on an empty stomach, if you should add lemon or honey, and follow the instructions. advice.

Light or rich medicinal infusion

Here is the recipe for the infusion from the medical instructions for the dried herb of lemon balm: pour 2 tablespoons of lemon balm into 1 glass of hot water, heat under the lid in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, then cool and strain. It is recommended to store the product in the refrigerator.

The infusion is much more concentrated than tea. Without a doctor’s appointment, the expectant mother cannot be taken, and even more so drink in glasses. The doctor prescribes an individual regimen for taking this remedy, depending on the disease.

For migraines in an infusion of lemon balm, moisten the cloth and apply on the forehead for 30 minutes.

Melissa infusion can also be used for skin care, it refreshes and tones. If you freeze it in molds, you get an excellent cosmetic ice.