Melissa

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 15:51

© Julija Sapic / Rusmediabank.ru

Latin name: Melissa Family: Lamb, or Lips Categories: Herbs, Medicinal plants

Melissa (lat. Melissa) - a perennial essential oil plant of the Lamb family, or Lipocytes. Under natural conditions, lemon balm grows in South and Central Europe, Iran, North America, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Ukraine and the Balkans. For the first time, the miraculous properties of lemon balm were described in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus.

Characteristics of culture

Melissa is a herbaceous plant up to 1 m high with a strongly branching rhizome. Stem tetrahedral, branched, almost glabrous or pubescent with short hairs with glands. Leaves are light or bright green, opposite, ovoid or rounded-diamond-shaped, crenate-serrate edges, pubescent over the entire surface, located on petioles.

The flowers are small, collected in false annular inflorescences of 6-12 pieces, sit in the axils of the upper leaves. The calyx is glandular and long-haired, has subulate teeth below. Corolla is lavender or bluish-white. The fruit is large enough, consists of four oval nuts, black in color with shine. Seeds remain viable for about 2-3 years. Flowering takes place in June - August, the fruits ripen in late August - early September. In the climate of Russia, lemon balm behaves aggressively, therefore it is recommended to grow it in containers.

Growing conditions

Melissa is a light-loving culture, it prefers sunny areas, protected from strong and cold winds. Soils are desirable light, fertile, with deep groundwater, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH reaction. In one place the plant can grow for about 4-5 years, after which the lemon balm needs a transplant. The culture does not differ in particular winter hardiness.

Reproduction and planting

Lemon balm is propagated by seeds, cuttings and rhizome division. The culture is grown most often through seedlings by sowing seeds in seedling boxes under a film. The optimum temperature for keeping crops before germination is 25C. Landing in open ground is carried out after the threat of spring frosts has passed.

The area for growing lemon balm is prepared in the fall, the soil is dug up, freed from weeds and their roots, organic matter and mineral fertilizers are applied and ridges are formed. Acidic soils are preliminarily limed, and areas with stagnant water are drained using fine gravel or broken bricks. The distance between plants should be approximately 30-40 cm, and between rows 45-50 cm. For a more aesthetic appearance, the distance between plants and rows should be 60 cm.

Division and cuttings are carried out in May or August. For these breeding methods, it is better to choose 3-5 year old bushes. The mother bush is divided into parts of approximately the same size, but so that each delenka has at least 4 shoots with roots. Cuttings are cut from annual shoots. Cuttings and cuttings are planted immediately to a permanent place.

Care

Melissa does not require special care. Regular and abundant watering is carried out before the emergence of shoots, after which the plants are moistened only with prolonged drought. The culture welcomes the systematic loosening of the soil in the aisles and weeding of weeds; mulching of the ridges with peat or plastic wrap saves from the latter, in addition, mulch prevents premature evaporation of moisture.

In regions with cold winters, melissa needs shelter with fallen leaves or sawdust. In early spring, immediately after the snow cover melts, it is advisable to fertilize with organic and mineral fertilizers. Since lemon balm contains a large amount of essential oils, the plant is rarely attacked by pests, so it does not need preventive measures to combat them.

Collection and procurement

Lemon balm is collected before flowering, it is cut with a pruner or garden shears at a distance of 10 cm from the ground. Melissa grown in large areas is cut with a trimmer, scythe or sickle. For blanks, only the apical stems are used, they are dried in ventilated and shaded rooms, spread out on paper or tied up in small bunches.

Sometimes lemon balm is dried in an ordinary oven at a temperature of 35-40C with a slightly open door. Completely dry leaves are crushed by hand, placed in a light-tight vessel and covered with a lid. It is best to store lemon balm away from other aromatic plants, so that it does not absorb foreign odors.

Application

In many countries of the world, lemon balm is used as a herb, it is used in cooking: for home canning, for the preparation of medicinal teas, infusions and some alcoholic beverages. Melissa is a real find for true gourmets who want to combine the aroma of citrus with honey notes. It can spice up many dishes.

In folk medicine, the plant is used as an analgesic, sedative and spasmodic agent, as well as in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Melissa is often grown in flower beds, ridges and other types of flower beds; it looks impressive and dilutes compositions consisting of perennial and annual flower crops.