On most home gardens, lemon balm is grown. This plant does not need special care, grows well and brings many benefits to people. What lemon balm and mint have differences? Before comparing these plants, we will take a closer look at the properties of the first of them.
About Melissa
Melissa perfectly relieves stress. It calms the nerves and helps to relax. This is an excellent occasion upon arrival to the suburban area before starting work to drink tea from this herb. Better if it is fresh. In May-June, the maximum amount of nutrients is concentrated in lemon balm. In the people it is known under such names: lemon mint, honey, honey, queen bee, lemon grass.
Before considering the question of what lemon balm and mint are different, it is worth mentioning that the healing properties of both plants are unique. The experience of their use in traditional medicine exceeds 2 millennia. Melissa and mint are quite similar to each other, because they belong to the same family - Iasnatkovye.
Melissa tea
The easiest and most useful way to relax after hard working days is to enjoy a cup of tea with lemon balm in the country. A drink with fresh grass will help quench your thirst, normalize your water balance, calm down and relax. Such a pastime encourages passive relaxation and pleasant thoughts.
In eastern countries, it is customary to brew healthy herbs without adding tea leaves. The easiest way is to place a bunch of freshly cut leaves in a kettle and steaming with boiling water. The container is covered with a warm towel and left to infuse for several minutes.
Mint and lemon balm (differences, photos and properties are presented in the article) help people suffering from diseases of the nervous system, and they are also used for preventive purposes. In megacities, where most residents face stress, such a drink becomes indispensable. If you drink a glass of tea with lemon balm every day at night, then a state of calm and confidence will soon come. Another property of the infusion is the normalization of sleep. It is advisable to consume the drink slowly by adding a spoonful of honey.
You can experiment with this plant by brewing it with others. There are lovers of lemon balm infusions with chamomile, valerian, mint, as well as with traditional black or green tea.
Melissa and Mint: Differences
It is not always possible for a simple person to distinguish these plants without special education. Some, so not fully understood, take one after another. These plants have many external similarities and similar healing properties. They belong to the same family, so the differences should be sought in the details.
Mint has a specific pronounced menthol odor. Its leaves have a pointed shape and a more saturated green color. They contain up to 3% of essential menthol oil. Mint flowers form inflorescences resembling an ear. The surface of the leaf blades is smooth. The stem is straight.
At Melissa, a branched stalk having a tetrahedral shape is striking. Its surface is strewn with tiny hairs. The aroma of the plant is not as sharp as that of mint, it vaguely resembles a lemon. Flowers form inflorescences called false rings. The leaf blades are velvety, and their color is pale, almost white.
Listing what melissa and mint have differences, one cannot fail to mention another plant similar to them. It is called so: catnip. It has a specific aroma and a bitter, spicy taste. From the name it becomes clear that pets are not indifferent to this plant.
What is remarkable melissa, catnip? The differences and similarities of these plants listed above clearly indicate the usefulness of each of them.
Advantages
The effect on the body of these plants is very similar. Interestingly, lemon balm more effectively copes with inflammatory processes. However, traditional medicine most often resorts to peppermint.
Upon learning that peppermint and lemon balm differ in appearance, lovers of medicinal infusions will be able to distinguish between them. Peppermint is widely used in cooking to give dishes a special flavor. Melissa is an alternative to allspice. Both plants are great for drinks and teas.