How to grow lemon balm and its main value: can it really remove formaldehyde?

Lemon balm, scientific name: Melissa officinalis or curly mint. Also known as: bee balm, bee herb. It originated along the Mediterranean coast and can be found in Europe, Central Asia, North America, and Asia, with its main production area in France. So, how do you grow lemon balm? Can it really handle formaldehyde? What are its main values?

How to grow lemon balm?

1. Watering

Just water it with clean water or rice-washing water every 3-5 days. If the branches and leaves wilt due to lack of water, replenish the water immediately and they will recover quickly. A general-purpose plant nutrient solution can be used for supplemental nutrients.

2. Pruning

Lemon balm grows very quickly, so it is recommended to prune it once a week. Just cut above the new leaves growing on the higher nodes. If black-edged leaves or old leaves at the base appear, do not worry, just pull them off. (Growth is slow in winter, so prune as little as possible; after pruning, place it in a spot with plenty of sunlight.)

3. Ventilation

If the room has good lighting, place the lemon balm in a spot with sunlight and normal indoor ventilation is sufficient; if the room does not have good lighting, such as a bathroom or kitchen, place the lemon balm in the room for 72 hours, then move it to a place with plenty of sunlight for 72 hours, or put it back again. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outdoors to absorb light and get fresh air.

4. Sunlight

Lemon balm likes bright light. If the room has good lighting, place the lemon balm in a spot with sunlight and normal indoor ventilation is sufficient; if the room does not have good lighting, such as a bathroom or kitchen, place the lemon balm in the room for 72 hours, then move it to a place with plenty of sunlight for 72 hours, or put it back again. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outdoors to absorb light and get fresh air.

5. Temperature

Lemon balm has low temperature requirements for cultivation. In winter it can tolerate low temperatures below 0°C, but growth is limited by high temperatures above 30°C in summer. The most suitable growing temperature is between 10-20°C.

Can lemon balm really handle formaldehyde?

Tested by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

1. Lemon balm's 3-hour elimination rate for formaldehyde is 92.4%, and its 72-hour elimination rate is 98.5%, so lemon balm has a very good absorption effect on formaldehyde;

2. Lemon balm's 3-hour elimination rate for total volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene) is 13.6%, and its 72-hour elimination rate is 84.8%, so lemon balm has an obvious absorption effect on the gas mixture of total volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene);

3. Lemon balm's 3-hour elimination rate for carbon monoxide is 20.1%, and its 72-hour elimination rate is 71.3%, so lemon balm has a certain absorption effect on carbon monoxide;

4. Moreover, lemon balm grows well in toxic and harmful environments.

What are the main values of lemon balm?

1. Promoting digestion

With a refreshing, sweet taste, it is suitable for drinking when you have a cold and in sweaty summers. It can increase appetite and promote digestion, and is suitable both before and after meals. Used to replace lemon for seasoning, lemon balm's fresh lemon scent is best at increasing appetite, but without the sourness of lemon, making it suitable for adding to all kinds of dishes and desserts. As fresh-scented as lemon, it can relieve headaches, abdominal pain, and toothache, has a pain-relieving effect, helps regulate respiratory system diseases, and stabilizes mood; it also helps treat bronchitis and digestive system diseases.

2. Absorbing harmful gases

Such as: formaldehyde, radon, benzene gas, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, as well as smoke odors, peculiar odors, and carbon dioxide. It releases negative ions quickly, disinfects and sterilizes. Place one large pot per 10 to 15 sq m, and one small pot per 8 sq m. After a new house or new furniture is renovated, open all the doors and drawers of the new furniture, and after 72 hours there will be an obvious feeling of elimination.

3. Medicinal value

Effects: As fresh-scented as lemon, it can relieve headaches, abdominal pain, and toothache. It also helps treat bronchitis and digestive system diseases. Lemon balm has a refreshing, sweet taste and is suitable for drinking when you have a cold and in sweaty summers. It can increase appetite and promote digestion, and is suitable both before and after meals.