Lemon balm is a herbal plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae
family and has the Latin name Melissa officinalis. Lemon balm is a plant
originating from the European and Mediterranean regions which is then widely
cultivated in European regions.
Lemon balm was first introduced in the 7th century in Spain
which was eventually used massively by all European communities as a herbal
medicine in curing several diseases. Lemon balm was later introduced to America
during wartime.
Lemon Balm Benefits For Health
Lemon balm with its nutritional content and compounds can
provide considerable health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of lemon
balm for body health:
1. Anti-inflammatory
Lemon balm is known to have anti-inflammatory properties in
the body. This is because lemon balm has several compounds that can heal
inflammation and also relieve pain in the body.
Anti-inflammatory compounds found in lemon bal, among
others, rosmarinic acid, phosphorus and linalool. These three compounds have
different roles in overcoming inflammation in the body.
One example is rosmarinic acid which can inhibit the sending
of pain signals by the spinal cord to the brain which can ultimately relieve
pain feelings in inflammation. In addition, phosphorus compounds also play a
role in relaxing the nerves and muscles in the body, which makes inflammation
heal faster
2. Overcoming Insomnia
Lemon balm can also be used to treat insomnia in the body.
This is because lemon balm has a citrus scent that can calm the nerve cells and
smooth muscle found in the brain so that a person can relax and sleep easily.
In addition, lemon balm that is consumed or processed into
tea and then drunk will provide good properties to prevent insomnia, namely by
holding the brain from releasing hormones that can affect a person's emotions,
so sleep easier and less agitated.
3. Prevent Cancer
One of the other benefits of lemon balm is that it can
prevent cancer in the body. This is because lemon balm leaves contain compounds
such as flavonoids, phenolics, limonene, alkaloids and terpinenes.
These compounds have different roles in preventing cancer in
the body. One example of the role of these compounds, namely compounds such as
terpinenes and alkaloids is known to damage cancer cells because of their
cytotoxic properties.
In addition, flavonoids, phenolic and limonene are compounds
that have a role in preventing the process of proliferation in cancer cells, so
that cancer cells cannot develop and spread throughout the body's tissues.
4. Reducing Cholesterol Levels
Lemon balm leaves can also be used to reduce bad cholesterol
levels in the body. This is because in lemon balm leaves there are several
compounds, such as flavonoids, potassium, sterols, citronellol and several
other compounds that can destroy bad cholesterol.
The compounds that have been mentioned above, have quite a
complex role for the body, one of which is flavonoid compounds which are
compounds that can dissolve in fat and make fat can be removed from the body.
In addition, potassium and sterols can destroy cholesterol
that sticks to the walls of blood vessels which can block blood flow
5. Increase the Immune System
Lemon balm can also be used as an immune booster or to
increase the immune system in the body. This is because the lemon balm leaves
contain citronellol compounds which give lemon balm a slightly sour taste.
It is this citronellol compound that plays a role in
increasing the responsiveness of the immune system to foreign pantogens that
enter the body to increase, so that the body can overcome the disease earlier.
Lemon Balm Side Effects On Health
Although lemon balm is known to have quite a number of
benefits, lemon balm can also cause side effects on the body. Here are some of
the side effects of lemon balm on health:
1. Causes of Kidney Stones
Consuming too much lemon balm leaves continuously can cause
side effects of kidney stones on the body. This is because in the lemon balm
leaves there is a high content of oxalic acid compounds.
High levels of oxalic acid, if consumed continuously, can cause
bonds with other compounds to form solid compounds that cannot be dissolved and
cannot be digested by the body. As a result, these compounds will settle in the
kidneys and result in the appearance of kidney stone disease
2. Anti Nutrition
Lemon balm leaves can also cause anti-nutritional side
effects in the body if consumed in excess. This is because there are compounds
such as acid oksalat and tannins which can result in binding to other
compounds.
Compounds that have bound to oxalic acid and tannins in the
body cannot be reused for nutritional fulfillment in the body. This is what can
cause the body to experience nutritional deficiencies