Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) foliage offers off a fragile lemony scent making it a pleasant addition to walkways or close to seating areas the place you may benefit from the perfume within the breeze. It’s additionally wealthy in symbolism and carefully aligned with sentiments of advantage, sympathy, and compassion. On this information, I’ll run by way of the whole lot it’s good to find out about lemon balm which means within the language of flowers.
Lemon Balm Symbolism – Key Takeaways
The lemon balm plant holds the symbolic which means of advantage, sympathy, and compassion. It additionally has meanings related to wholesome boundaries in relationships, friendship, therapeutic, and love. Historical Greeks revered lemon balm as they thought it had a particular relationship with bees. It was thought that planting lemon balm close to a hive would stop the bees from straying.
Etymological That means
Not surprisingly, the genus identify ‘melissa’ is derived from the Greek phrase ‘melitta’ which means honeybee whereas the time period ‘balm’ comes from the Greek phrase ‘balsamon’ which means sweet-smelling oil or resin.
Lemon Balm That means & Symbolism
The lemon balm plant produces tiny white or purple flowers that entice honeybees and different flying bugs. Whereas they are often added to floral shows and foliage as a filler, they don’t seem to be sometimes used as a lower flower.
In floriography, the lemon balm plant symbolizes advantage, sympathy, and compassion. It may additionally symbolize wholesome boundaries in relationships, friendship, therapeutic, and love.
Lemon Balm in Historical Greece
Lemon balm was extremely esteemed in historic Greece for its numerous makes use of and symbolic associations.
Historical Greeks valued lemon balm for its medicinal properties. They regularly employed it to deal with a variety of well being points, together with digestive issues, nervousness, insomnia, and wounds. The doctor Dioscorides, within the 1st century CE, documented its medicinal purposes in his work “De Materia Medica,” and it featured prominently in natural treatments.
Moreover, the Greek time period for lemon balm, “Melissa,” originated from the phrase “meli,” which suggests honey. Lemon balm was linked to sweetness, pleasure, and happiness. It sometimes served as an emblem of the great life and performed a job in rituals and festivals aimed toward enhancing a way of well-being.
In Greek mythology, lemon balm is tied to the nymph Melissa. In keeping with one fantasy, Melissa found honey and instructed people in its use. She was additionally believed to have nurtured the younger Zeus with honey whereas he was hid from his father, Cronus. Consequently, Melissa was typically depicted as a guardian of bees and honey, and lemon balm turned related together with her.
Lemon balm discovered use in non secular and ritualistic contexts in historic Greece. It was offered to the gods throughout ceremonies and employed to cleanse sacred areas. Its pleasant aroma additional contributed to its position in rituals.
Non secular Meanings and Associations of Lemon Balm
- Lemon balm actively promotes love. It may be carried in individual, used as incense or potpourri, and even infused in wine to amplify its magical skill to draw love into one’s life.
- When one drinks lemon balm tea throughout meditation, it’s believed to stimulate belief and endurance.
- Moreover, lemon balm holds the standing of a protecting herb. It may be cultivated on a windowsill or hung within the dwelling to discourage adverse vitality and influences. Previously, lemon balm crops have been cultivated close to the doorway to safeguard towards evil and foster happiness inside the dwelling.
- The lemon balm plant is good for including to fairy gardens, as backyard fairies love lemon balm.
Appropriate Gifting Events
A lemon balm plant is a stupendous present for a housewarming as the brand new house owner can plant it within the backyard to take pleasure in its magnificence and host of advantages to the house. Symbolically, it needs the brand new house owner a cheerful and productive life within the new dwelling.
Wrap Up
Lemon balm is a fascinating addition to the flower or herb backyard, attracting honeybees and butterflies to the yard along with carrying wealthy which means and symbolism within the language of flowers.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc diploma in Plant Sciences and has skilled professionally at main floristry colleges in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a worldwide editorial crew, Andrew’s a passionate content material creator round all issues flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
