BALM       : Melissa officinalis
 
Other Names: Sweet balm, Lemon Balm, Garden Balm, Melissa.
 
Habitat    : The name Melissa comes from the Greek meaning Bee, which
             indicates this herb's long-recognized fine bee-attracting
             capacity. For this reason it was an old favorite for planting
             around hives. John Gerard mentions that in the sixteenth 
             century the leaves were even rubbed upon the hives in an 
             effort to keep the bees happy. The plant posseses a short
             root and a squarish stem (when cut sectionally) with joint
             pairs of toothed, heart-shaped, or oval leaves sprouting on
             either side of it. Both the leaves and the creamy yellow
             flowers give off a strong lemony smell when crushed. Though
             the leaves and stems die off each year, the root is perennial,
             which makes it a good choice for your herb garden. It will
             thrive in any type of soil, and can be grown from seed,
             seedling, root division in spring or fall, or cutting (if you
             are clever). Like most of the simples, it requires the 
             absolute minimum attention : just make sure it has enough
             water, gets weeded from time to time, and has its straggling
             dead wood cut back in the fall. (You might also want to stir
             the earth between its roots once or twice a year).
 
Properties : Balm has been used from time immemorial as a wound dressing,
             for it is rich in ozone and therefore strongly antiputrescent
             It also makes a flavorful and mildly sedative tea to aid in
             opening the pores to reduce fevers produced by Flu or chest
             colds.
 
Lemon Balm tea : Infuse 2 teaspoons dried herb in 1 covered cup boiling
             water for 15 minutes (Or 1 ounce herb to 1 pint boiling water
             if a larger quantity is required). Strain, and flavor with
             sugar or honey and a twist of lemon, if desired, before
             drinking.

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