What is lemon balm and can it be kept in the bedroom?

Recently, lemon balm has become hugely popular. There are many kinds of lemon balm, and it can absorb formaldehyde, making it very suitable for a new home. So, what is lemon balm? Is lemon balm toxic? Can lemon balm be placed in the bedroom? Let's find out together!

1. What is lemon balm?

Lemon balm, also called curly mint, is a relatively small plant, about 50cm tall, with stems that give off a soap-like scent that is very pleasant to smell. Its inflorescence is in whorled verticillasters, and the flowers are pale pink with a hint of purple. It originated along the Mediterranean coast, and later could be found in Europe, Central Asia, and North America. Lemon balm blooms from July to August, and its fragrance is very popular with bees. Its leaves are light green, and when gently rubbed they give off a lemon scent. It can be used as medicine and has effects such as treating headaches and toothaches. There are many varieties of lemon balm, with common ones including lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), curly spearmint, Isodon amethystoides, and curly mint, among which curly mint is the variety most often called lemon balm.

2. Is lemon balm toxic?

According to a large amount of information, lemon balm is not toxic, and it can also purify the air and absorb toxic and harmful gases such as formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. According to tests, lemon balm removes 92.4% of formaldehyde in 3 hours and 98.5% in 72 hours, making it more than suitable for growing in newly renovated homes.

3. Can lemon balm be placed in the bedroom?

Like many plants, lemon balm is not suitable for being placed in the bedroom. Although lemon balm has a powerful air-purifying effect and is itself non-toxic, many friends like to keep it in the bedroom. However, keeping it in the bedroom is a mistaken practice. Never mind that the bedroom environment is not suitable for the growth of lemon balm; its adsorption capacity is excellent. Like most green plants, during the day it performs photosynthesis in sunlight, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, but at night it is exactly the opposite, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Placed in the bedroom, at night it competes with us for oxygen, which is not good for our physical and mental health. But if you really like it and want to put it in the bedroom, we can place it in a brighter spot in the bedroom during the day and move it out of the bedroom at night. This way it can still purify the air and will not affect nighttime rest or human health.

4. Can lemon balm really absorb toxic substances?

According to a test by a physical and chemical analysis and testing center in Beijing, per square meter of area, pothos absorbs 1.7 micrograms of formaldehyde, spider plant absorbs 1.1 micrograms, and lemon balm absorbs 0.9 micrograms; for benzene adsorption, the best effect is pothos, followed by spider plant, and finally lemon balm. From this it can be estimated that in a room of about 10 sq m, calculated over one hour, if lemon balm were used to absorb formaldehyde, about 200 pots would be needed; calculated over 24 hours a day, about 8-10 pots of lemon balm would be needed. Clearly, using lemon balm to eliminate formaldehyde is unrealistic.

The above is the little knowledge about lemon balm compiled for you by the Tuliu.com editor. We hope it can help you!