Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis was one of the plants I had in my garden this year. Because of being so far along in my pregnancy, and my back problems acting up, I was not able to really go crazy with planting herbs in the garden this year. I did however have some lemon balm growing out there amidst the lovely weeds. I went ahead and tinctured up some fresh lemon balm 95% alcohol 1:2.
I was smart enough to order some milky oats ahead from jim mcdonald (he makes the ~best~!) so I would have them at the ready after Wyatt was born. Milky oats has been great for me, it has helped support me through my tendancy to go go go which can lead to burnout. Wonderfully mellow and soothing- I love it!
I have found the combination of milky oats and lemon balm have been an excellent ally for me postpartum. Although milky oats is great as a simple, adding the lemon balm really made a difference for me this time around. I like to use less of the lemon balm 2-5 drops, and a little more of the milky oats- about 10-15 drops - 3 to 5 times a day.
This particular batch of lemon balm turned out to be extra spicy (which I love), and the cooling aspect goes well with my constitution. While relaxing, it isn't so much so that I feel tired and want to sleep all day. It really helped me to balance (it gives me that just right feeling) I feel relaxed enough that I can carry on my everyday tasks without feeling overwhelmed, yet still have the energy I need to take care of my newborn and toddler. I also have a tendancy to over-think things a bit, especially being a new mom. I have found this to help my brain to relax enough to focus. I also am the type to take on too much, feel overwhelmed and sometimes get snappy and angry (before even realizing that I have overdone it- fully believing that I can take on ~everything~ no problem). After all, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with a newborn and a toddler- and everything that comes with it. At night if I am really over thinking things and can't sleep (which is another thing I tend to do, causing insomnia), I like to add a little skullcap to the blend as well.
You can read more about postpartum herbs here
11 comments:
I've read from numerous sources, including kellymom, that lemon balm can decrease breastmilk supply and should be avoided while nursing. Have you heard this, but are unconcerned?
I have heard it (from kelly mom) and am not concerned- can't believe everything you read on the net. I have not had this experience at all. If fact, I produce a little more milk than needed. If you need another resource,
Aviva Jill Romm President of the AHG, midwife & Author of Natural Health After Birth- states it is a gentle nervous system tonic- when used by nursing mothers its calming effects are conveyed to the baby through the breast milk.
Lemon Balm. Preparation and dosage same as for Chamomile and Catnip
well, as kellymom says on her site: "I'm not a doctor or herbalist". That would seem to imply (and the info on her site seems to make clear) that she doesn't actually have experience using the herbs she's writing up; rather, she's just collecting info she finds online or in books.
Just as you'd want to get info on how to fix your car's brakes by someone who has actualy fixed brakes at some point in their life (as opposed to just having read about people who fix brakes), it makes sense to get herbal info from people who have actually used the herbs they're writing about...
Which would make angie's blog here a much better resource on herbs for moms and kids than most of what you find online.
(Blushing) Thanks jim:)
Hi Angie. I'm nominating you for a blog award on my pagan tattoo site.
Angie...I found you again! our paths keep crossing, don't they!
I love Milky Oats and haven't run across them on the web before now. I had almost forgotten them...we had them when I was a child.
Congratulations on your new baby!
Marion, it's nice to "see" you again!
It does seem we keep bumping into (or surfing into) each other! Get in touch via my personal email when you have a chance, I would love to catch up!
I read not long ago that anyone can fix their own Lemon balm at home but I'm wondering if it would be as effective as that we can buy from the herbalist, what do you think?
Sweating: Of course it would be as effective, maybe even more so if you make it yourself- you know exactly where it came from & when it was harvested, I like to make tincture from the fresh plant:)
Livia: Thanks for the nomination! I read the requirements, although I can't add 7 links to my blog, I sure appreciate it!
I love lemon balm, and have found that I am so high strungI need skullcap with everything! Thanks for the info...
I love Lemon Balm too!
I just make a little tea with it and a little local honey.. Yummy yummy!
Dora Renee' Wilkerson
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