- Latin name
- Melissa officinalis
- Element
- water
- Planet
- Jupiter
- Safe to eat?
- Yes, in normal kitchen amounts
How to use it
- Brew fresh leaves as a calming tea
- Add leaves to a soothing bath
- Fill a sleep pillow with dried leaves
- Rub leaves on the altar or doorway to welcome friends
Lore
Its name Melissa is Greek for honeybee, and beekeepers once rubbed hives with it to keep their bees content. Paracelsus praised it as an elixir of life, and it was the main herb in Carmelite water, made by French nuns from the 1600s.
Safety
Safe as a tea in normal amounts, though it may cause drowsiness. It may interfere with thyroid medicines and add to the effect of sedatives, so seek advice if you take them. Seek advice before using it medicinally in pregnancy.