A plant called "lemon balm" or "lemon mint" is a medicinal plant. Its height reaches 0.5-0.7 m. It can grow in the same place for five to six years, after which it is transplanted. Lemon mint grown in gardens and flower beds. It is a honey plant and therefore successfully used by humans in the national economy.
The lemon mint plant has several names. This is bee grass, and beekeeper, and honey, and lemon balm. It has not only honey properties, but also rich in medicinal substances. Consequently, the grass is doubly useful.
The leaves of the plant "lemon mint" contain many essential substances (oils), vitamin C, carotene, as well as tannins. Essential oils are a source of lemon smell and a pleasant bitter taste.
The lemon mint plant is used in folk medicine as a medicine. For example, an infusion of lemon balm is taken when a person has problems with the respiratory organs (shortness of breath), with cardiovascular diseases. Melissa has also been used successfully in the treatment of neurosis, anxiety and high blood pressure.
Grass is also used in cooking. It acts as a spice and seasoning for meat dishes, game dishes and fish with the addition of mushrooms. And housewives use the leaves of the plant lemon mint for the preservation of vegetables and fruits. They make jams, marinades, and aromatic and fresh drinks.
For medicinal purposes, the green mass of grass is used, which is harvested during budding. Greens are rinsed and dried in a ventilated and shady place. You can dry the lemon mint in the oven, heated to 45 degrees. After processing, the raw materials are stored in a well-closed glass jar. Shelf life is not more than one year. And if you keep melissa for a long time, then the grass loses its smell.
Lemon mint is grown on organic soil with a high degree of fertility. It is carried out by two methods:
- Sowing seed material.
- Division of the root system of the plant.
If you planted peppermint seeds in the spring, then the roots of the grass propagate (dividing) in the middle of summer.
Before planting a plant on a garden bed, it is necessary to thoroughly feed the soil with a compound that is prepared from 1 bucket of humus or compost material, 1 cup of wood ash and two full spoons of mineral fertilizer. Then you should dig the beds, level and pour over bird droppings or mullein (ratio of 1 tbsp. Per bucket of water).
Top dressing is usually carried out in spring with a fertilizer consisting of a bucket of water, half a liter of mullein dissolved in it and two large spoons of nitrophosphate.
This plant differs from other plants similar to it (for example, peppermint) in that it is very thermophilic. Therefore, do not leave it in the winter without insulation. This can be done using sawdust, peat, fallen leaves and other suitable material. Information on how to grow and care for the plant, lemon mint, a photo of it can be found in many specialized print publications.