====== Lemon Balm ======
<div #singlebox>
---- dataentry herbs----
latin_names: Melissa officinalis
folk_names: Bee Balm, Lemon Balsam, Melissa, Sweet Balm, Sweet Melissa, Tourengane, Oghoul
gender_tags: Feminine
planet_tags: Moon
element_tags: Water
deity_tags: 
effect_tags: Love, Success, Healing
----
</div>

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===== Magical Uses =====

From Arabian herb magic comes the information that lemon balm can be used to influence love. Soak the herb in wine for several hours, strain and share with a friend. Or, carry the herb with you to find love.

It is also used in magical healing, and Pliny said that its powers were so great that if it was attached to a sword that had made a wound the blood would be immediately staunched. Though swordwounds are rare today, the lemon balm is still used in healing incenses and sachets.

It can also be used in spells to ensure success, and if you keep bees, rub this herb on the hives; it will attract new bees and keep the old ones there.

===== Aromatherapy =====

==== Lore ====

For centuries, wooden furniture was rubbed with fresh lemon balm leaves not only to produce a shine but also to drive out “evil spirits.”

The fresh leaves have been rubbed onto hives to attract bees since at least Roman times.

According to ancient instructions (as quoted in Kamm), the whole plant, including the root, stems, leaves and flowers, was dried, sewn into a piece of linen with silk thread and worn under the clothing. This made its bearer “beloved and agreeable to those one met,” fulfilled every desire and ensured perpetual happiness. A tall order, considering the size of a mature plant.

==== Magical Uses ====

The dried leaves are virtually worthless for magical aromatherapy even though they retain a slight scent. The fresh leaves (or essential oil) are necessary for the following uses.

Both the fresh and essential oil forms of lemon balm possess a crisp, lemony odor remarkably similar to that of the true lemon. This fragrance is sedative by nature. It releases muscular tension and lulls our racing minds. Because of this action it often produces an uplifting feeling which mellows into a quiet peace. The scent of lemon balm is also inhaled with visualization to relieve depression and to calm raging emotions.

As far back as Culpeper’s time (see Bibliography) it was known for its uplifting properties. It “driveth away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of the mind,” the famous herbalist wrote.

Those of us experiencing money problems should be aware that we’ve created this situation. Inhale lemon balm’s delightful fragrance while visualizing yourself allowing money into your life. This works by removing blockages we’ve set up within ourselves against receiving money. We may not be consciously aware of these blockages but they’re there.

This scent is so crisp and clean that it can be inhaled as part of a daily or weekly personal purification ritual.

Lemon balm essential oil (also known as Melissa) is expensive, and is difficult to find in a pure, unadulterated form.

<adm danger Warning>
Lemon balm essential oil may cause allergic reactions.
</adm>
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