Mint and lemon balm - differences, which is better

Mint and lemon balm are aromatic herbs that can grow on forest land, garden plots and even in flowerpots. The plants are very similar, so many gardeners confuse the transverse mint and lemon balm, which is often called the first lemon variety. The question of how to distinguish mint from lemon balm is becoming important for those who cultivate these crops or intend to purchase planting material.

Mint and lemon balm - how do they differ, why are they confused

Although mint and lemon balm belong to the same Yasnotkov family, the differences are immediately evident. The first specimen is a tall plant with oval leaves and violet flowers collected in ears of corn. The leaves and stem of the second variety (lemon balm) are covered with small hairs. Individual specimens can reach a height of 2 meters. Melissa flowers are lilac, collected in inflorescences of 6-12 flowers.

The main difference is in taste and smell. Peppermint has a specific smell with sharply felt menthol. Melissa is a menthol-free essential oil plant. Why do many gardeners confuse these two plants? There are several reasons:

• Non-flowering plants are very similar in appearance, low, grow a bush with wide dark green leaves, have a pungent smell.
• It is widely believed that both of these species save from many diseases.
• The folk names of lemon balm can be misleading - bee mint, lemongrass (from the point of view of botany, these names are not justified).

Mint and lemon balm are considered medicinal herbs. The influence of the properties of mint on the body was evaluated by Hippocrates, and lemon balm by Avicenna. Hippocrates used peppermint to treat many diseases, lemongrass was used as a sedative for women. Spicy herbs helped the body adjust to improve well-being.

It was believed that mint improves mental activity, and lemon balm is able to calm, relieve emotional experiences.

The main differences between mint and lemon balm, table

Mint and lemon balm are similar plants, but for those who constantly collect herbs, the difference between them is obvious. A description of what mint looks like and lemon balm are presented in the table.

A table of differences between mint and lemon balm will help distinguish these plants even for non-professionals.

Features	Mint	Melissa
Place of growth	It grows in any region of Russia.	Widespread in the southern regions, but found in temperate latitudes.
Stem	Straight, up to 1 m high.	With forks.
Flowers	Collected in elongated inflorescences resembling ears in shape, the color is purple.	Collected in round inflorescences, have a purple hue.
Leaf shape	Pronounced oval shape.	Oval, the lower part of the leaf is semicircular, the upper is sharp.
Scent	Sweet menthol, refreshing.	Spicy with lemon notes, soothing.
Essential oils	Contains a large percentage of essential oils.	The amount of essential oils is much lower.
The nutritional value	proteins - 3.8 g; fats - 0.96 g; carbohydrates - 6.59 g; dietary fiber - 8 g; ash - 1.8 g; % water - 80.	proteins - 3.5 g; fats - 0.5 g; carbohydrates - 7.8 g; water - 90%.
Calorie content	In 100 grams of mint - 70 kcal.	In 100 grams of lemon balm - 50 kcal.
Chemical composition	Contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C. The composition of the minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese.	Contains vitamins PP, B6, B1, B2, C, A. The composition of the minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese.
Cooking Application	It is used as a flavoring in the preparation of drinks, desserts.	It is used as a seasoning.
Medical use	It is used as a sedative.	Used to calm the nervous system.
Use in cosmetology	It is part of oily skin cosmetics, enhances hair growth.	It is used for masks for any type of skin, gives hair nourishment, and eliminates dandruff.

When comparing it turns out that plants have similar properties, but between them you can find a sufficient number of differences.

How do these plants differ visually

How to distinguish mint from lemon balm in appearance can tell gardeners who grow aromatic herbs in their areas. If you take into account the visual inspection, then peppermint can be confused with deaf nettles, common Dubrovnik, common blackhead, lemongrass. The named plants are representatives of the Yasnotkov family.

Japanese purple mint flowers are striking in their beauty, essential oils are obtained from the leaves. Catnip or catnip is confused with lemon balm, because the plant has a lemon smell.

Gardeners who are fond of growing spices often ask a question at horticultural forums, how to distinguish mint and lemon balm growing on the same site in appearance.

Mint and lemon balm - the differences are as follows:

• The first plant grows in single shoots, which are located in a straight line. Spice root - creeping, growing in length. One shoot is beaten off the root bud, reaching a height of 1.5 m. It seems that the gardener planted the mint in perfectly even rows. The leaves on the shoots go from the ground itself and resemble a geometric oval.
• The flowering section of mint attracts with a light lilac, dark purple color. Fruits in domestic climatic conditions appear very rarely.
• If lemon balm grows next to mint, then looking at these two plants, one can see: lemon balm does not grow in single shoots, but in a bush, and the stem branches at the ground itself. Flowers are not ears, but round inflorescences that form a large circle encircling the entire bush. The second plant is much lower, although individual specimens can reach a height of 1, 1.5 m. The shape of the leaves is completely different - ovoid.

Given all these nuances, these spicy herbs are difficult to confuse.

Differences in growing conditions

Mint and lemon balm can be planted nearby in the same area, although many gardeners do not recommend using this agrotechnical method, because the plants will pollinate each other, and the taste of spices will change. To resolve the dispute, it is better to listen to the opinion of certified agronomists, who recall that plants do not belong to the same species, so hybridization in vivo is impossible. It turns out that you can plant them in one area, but spicy herbs require different care.

When cultivating mint, it is necessary to consider:

• The species can be planted on any soil except sandy.
• The mint area should be well lit by sunlight.
• Haze and water the plant should be systematic.
• In the spring, it is necessary to cultivate the soil.
• It is better to propagate the culture in spring with root layers, planting them in open ground. The distance between the shoots is 30-40 cm.

Melissa needs other growing conditions:

• Schisandra does not like open areas, it needs a shadow or partial shade.
• The plant withstands severe drought, but several times during the season it must be abundantly watered.
• For the successful growth of the culture, sand must be added to any soil.
• This species can be propagated by dividing the bush, layering, cuttings.

The similarity between the wounds manifests itself in the collection. You need to collect herbs at the beginning during the flowering of honey plants. The first harvest is at the beginning of summer, the second - at the beginning of autumn.

Differences of peppermint from lemon balm in medicinal properties and application

The chemical composition of amazing plants is rich in vitamins, so they are used not only in traditional medicine, but also in cooking, cosmetology.

Where to add lemon balm

Melissa, plucked from the garden, can be used in the preparation of salads, soups, desserts. A dry leaf will add a piquant flavor to the fish and meat marinade. A few branches added during salting of cabbage will give the product a persistent aroma, enrich it with vitamins.

Lemon grass goes well with thyme, marjoram, basil. Tea from these herbs is popular and useful, as it significantly improves well-being.

Where to add mint

Mint, like lemon balm, can be dried, canned or used fresh. Freezing spices is not recommended because plants lose their aroma and beneficial properties.

Fresh leaves can be used in the preparation of salads, meat dishes, sauces. Homemade butter, whipped with chopped leaves, will get an original taste. Spiced pastries will be filled with new flavors.

From mint raw materials you can make liquor, cocktails, syrups, desserts. Many winemakers add spice to homemade wine, cognac.

Gardeners collect and dry herbs for the future in order to brew fragrant tea in winter, which can improve mood, add a charge of vivacity.

Mint smell is often found in household chemicals: dishwashing detergents, toothpastes, rinses.

Spices are good flavors that bring aromatic notes, spicy taste and a piece of health.

How do contraindications differ, possible harm

The beneficial properties of mint and lemon balm, the positive effect of these herbs on the human body is undeniable. Phytomedicine uses essential oils, infusions, decoctions, juice, which are produced from these herbs.

But there are many contraindications for use. If you ignore these instructions, then instead of benefit, only harm is revealed:

• Frequent use of tea infused with dried leaves may have a negative effect.
• As you know, lemon balm calms the nervous system, and mint enhances the tone of the body. If you exceed the maximum dosage, then the pressure may decrease, drowsiness, inhibition may develop.
• Frequent use of lemon balm can reduce potency in men.
• You should not use mint and lemon infusion for the treatment of non-healing wounds, pustules.

General contraindications for taking herbs are as follows:

• during pregnancy, breastfeeding, it is not recommended to use mint infusions;
• tonic infusions are contraindicated for small children;
• mint is contraindicated for varicose veins;
• taking mint infusions can cause problems with conception;
• with exacerbation of stomach ulcers, with kidney diseases;
• people with high blood pressure should not drink decoctions and infusions of mint, and people with low blood pressure should not drink infusions of lemon balm.

Before important events, which require concentration, the use of infusions on medicinal herbs is not recommended.

Herbs are dangerous for people suffering from pressure inconsistencies. You can not constantly use such herbs to mature men, as potency decreases.

If there are contraindications, then you can not use drugs from peppermint or lemon balm even in minimal doses.

Is it possible to combine these two plants

Mint and lemon balm are plants with different tastes. They can be part of the herbal collection, which will be much more useful, because each of the herbs adds its own touch of aroma and its beneficial properties. Knowing their positive effect on the body, it will be difficult to harm your body.

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Spices are two completely different plants with many distinctive features, so confusing them is completely impossible. Due to the unique properties of mint and lemon balm are very useful, but before you start using them you need to study the indications and contraindications, choose the option that suits you.