Balm
melissa officinalis

It induces a mild perspiration and makes
a pleasant and cooling tea for feverish patients
in cases of catarrh and influenza.

To make the tea, pour 1 pint of boiling water
upon 1 oz. of herb, infuse 15 minutes, allow to cool,
then strain and drink freely.
If sugar and a little lemon peel or juice be added
it makes a refreshing summer drink.

Balm is a useful herb,
either alone or in combination with others.

It is excellent in colds attended with fever,
as it promotes perspiration.

Used with salt, it was formerly applied for the purpose
of taking away wens, and had the reputation
of cleansing sores and easing the pains of gout.

John Hussey, of Sydenham, who lived to the age of 116,
breakfasted for fifty years on Balm tea sweetened
with honey, and herb teas were the usual breakfasts
of Llewelyn Prince of Glamorgan, who died in his 108th year.

Carmelite water, of which Balm was the chief ingredient,
was drunk daily by the Emperor Charles V.

Balm is frequently used as one of the ingredients of pot-pourri.

Mrs. Bardswell, in The Herb Garden, mentions Balm as one
of the bushy herbs that are invaluable for the permanence
of their leaf-odours, which, 'though ready when sought,
do not force themselves upon us, but have to be coaxed
out by touching, bruising or pressing.

Balm with its delicious lemon scent,
is by common consent one of the most
sweetly smelling of all the herbs in the garden.

Balm-wine was made of it and a tea
which is good for feverish colds.
The fresh leaves make better tea than the dry.'

Refreshing Drink in Fever
'Put two sprigs of Balm, and a little wood sorrel,
into a stone-jug, having first washed and dried them;
peel thin a small lemon, and clear from the white;
slice it and put a bit of peel in, then pour
in 3 pints of boiling water, sweeten and cover it close.'

'Claret Cup'
One bottle of claret, one pint bottle of German Seltzer-water,
a small bunch of Balm, ditto of burrage,
one orange cut in slices, half a cucumber sliced thick,
a liqueurglass of Cognac, and one ounce of bruised sugar-candy.

'Process: Place these ingredients in a covered jug well immersed
in rough ice, stir all together with a silver spoon, and when
the cup has been iced for about an hour, strain or decanter it
off free from the herbs, etc.'
(Francatelli's Cook's Guide.)

A bunch of Balm improves nearly all cups.

MODERN USES
It is commonly prescribed as an infusion to induce mild
perspiration in feverish patients.

It is used in medicines for the menopause, and for painful
or suppressed menstruation, poor digestion, nausea and vomiting.
The infusion can he taken freely.

It is very good to help digestion and open obstructions
of the brain, and hath so much purging quality in it (saith Avicen)
as to expel those melancholy vapors from the spirits and blood
which are in the heart and arteries, although it cannot do so
in other parts of the body.

I've always found a tea made of lemon balm helps
(the trick as far as the taste goes is NOT to drink it piping hot,
but to let it cool down a little).
If you want, you could add a little chamomile, and just be
sure you have your PJ's on.
I usually feel better about something after a good night's sleep. :-)
Hope this helps!

Bright Blessings!
--Silverbird_7
)0(

I don't work too much with teas,
but I'll share my thoughts on a couple of herbs that would
make a palatable tea to address worry.

Let me start by saying that when I treat anyone who describes any
symptom or condition as "excessive" I also recommend that they consult
with a licenced healthcare provider if they have not done so already.
If any other Rx drugs, herbs or supplements
are being taken for this condition (or any other condition),
I would proceed cautiously in adding anything else
to the mix, tea or otherwise.

It is always good to consult with an herbalist one-on-one
to make sure that nothing is overlooked that may have
potential for harm or compromise of any kind.

Now, given the worrier is of good health and is
NOT taking any other medicines/supplements/herbs,
start with nice mild relaxant:

avena sativa
Oat straw
This makes a plain, pleasant tasting tea.
I drink this in the dry days of winter, not so much
for the relaxing aspect, but because it is rich
in silica and seems to help with dry-itchy-winter-skin.
Plus, drinking tea gets additional water into the system
to support balanced hydration.

melissa officinalis ~ Lemon Balm
This makes a pleasant lemon-tasting
tea and, leave Avena, it has mild relaxant qualities.
I would not drink this over a long period of time.

These are just two.
There are others of varying strength and herbs
that go beyond ralaxant and into sedative qualities.

Do not mix these together ~ if you mix herbs,
I advise NOT mixing those of like-qualities together
(IE: do not mix relaxants with other relaxants).

Finally, may I suggest working
with the cause of worry (of the fear).
Sometimes it can help to think
of it (worry) as an addiction.
I have done energy work with folks
addressing worry as an addiction and have
had some promising results.
I could go on and on and on this,
but locating an energy healer
to support this might be beneficial.
Just a thought.

:)
Blessings of health & wellness always!
rose



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