Melissa is grown on most household plots. This plant does not need special care, grows well and brings many benefits to people. What are the differences between lemon balm and mint? Before comparing these plants, let's take a closer look at the properties of the first of them.
About Melissa
Melissa is an excellent stress reliever. It calms the nerves and helps to relax. This is an excellent occasion to drink tea from this herb upon arrival at a suburban area before starting work. It's better if it's fresh. In May-June, the maximum amount of useful substances is concentrated in lemon balm. It is popularly known by the following names: lemon mint, honeydew, mother liquor, bee, lemongrass.
Before considering the difference between lemon balm and mint, 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, as they belong to the same family - Lamiaceae.
Melissa tea
The easiest and he althiest way to relax after a hard day at work is to enjoy a cup of tea with lemon balm outside the city. A drink with fresh herbs will help quench your thirst, normalize water balance, calm down and relax. Such a pastime encourages passive relaxation and pleasant reflection.
In Eastern countries, it is customary to brew he althy herbs without adding tea leaves. The easiest way is to place a bunch of freshly cut leaves in a teapot and steam it with boiling water. The container is covered with a warm towel and left to brew for a few 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 every day at night you drink a glass of tea with lemon balm, then soon a state of calm and confidence will come. Another property of the infusion is the normalization of sleep. It is advisable to drink the drink slowly, adding a spoonful of honey to it.
You can experiment with this plant by brewing it together with others. There are fans of making 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 without special education to distinguish these plants. Some, without fully understanding it, take one thing forother. These plants have many external similarities and similar medicinal properties. They belong to the same family, so the differences should be looked for in small things.
Mint has a specific pronounced smell of menthol. Its leaves have a pointed shape and a richer green color. They contain up to 3% essential menthol oil. Mint flowers form inflorescences resembling an ear. The surface of the leaf blades is smooth. The stem is straight.
Melissa has a branched stem, which has a tetrahedral shape. Its surface is strewn with tiny hairs. The aroma of the plant is not as sharp as that of mint, vaguely reminiscent of lemon. Flowers form inflorescences called false rings. The leaf blades are velvety and their color is pale, almost white.
Listing the differences between lemon balm and mint, one cannot fail to mention one more plant similar to them. It is called like this: 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 about lemon balm, catnip? The differences and similarities of these plants listed above clearly indicate the usefulness of each of them.
Dignity
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 the help of mint.
Having learned that peppermint and lemon balm have differences in appearance, lovers of medicinalinfusions will be able to distinguish them. Mint is widely used in cooking to add flavor to dishes. Melissa serves as an alternative to allspice. Both plants are great for drinks and teas.
