Lemon Balm - a mint?

Is a shrub and is related to the mint family, mints are identifiable by their square stems and aromatic scents. Lemon balm has a citrus scent that is easily detected by rubbing the leaves between your fingers. The plant itself can grow to two to three feet high if not pruned and attended to. The shrub has faint-yellow flowers with a lemony scent that bloom in the spring into the summer. Lemon Balm is know for its anxiety reducing qualities. When feeling stressed and have no ways to let it out, sip a warm cup of tea. Or if suffering from a little insomnia, a cup of this before bedtime will help you to relax so you can drift off to sleep. Lemon Balm is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe an agitated digestive system. The polyphenols found in Lemon Balm tea will help to balance the beneficial bacteria in your stomach which in turn help reduce digestive inflammation. In addition, other issues assisted by the anti-inflammatory properties are pains, stiffness and swelling caused by osteoarthritis or other joint disorders. Lemon Balm helps to freshen the air from toxins that breeze by. In addition, putting Lemon Balm in spray or rubbing the leaves on your skin will deter insects from bitting you. Lastly, Lemon Balm helps to relieve cold sores caused by the influenza, herpes simplex virus. Just make a cup of Lemon Balm tea, drink it, then use the tea bag as a compress on the cold sore.