Huntington Garden Myths

The Huntington Garden is home to thousands of beautiful flowers, herbs, and art works. In this garden there are plant that have some medical benefits that can help with digestion, headaches, and even cancer. Some of these herbs have some interesting myth and folklore behind them. Lemon Balm, which has been use since the Middle Ages, does have medical benefits and folklore story behind them. Another plant that I found in the Huntington garden with many medical uses is Peppermint, which also has many folklore and myth about them. Peppermint and Lemon Balm are two very useful medical herbs to have and have very interesting myth about them.

Lemon Balm has been used for hundreds of years to as to reduce stress, promote sleep, reduce anxiety

and has been used as painkillers. Lemon Balm can be grown all over the world and it has a very lemon smell when a person rub their fingers on its leaves. Not only do they smell great they do in fact have medical properties like helping people with insomnia. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center they believe, “Several studies show that lemon balm combined with other calming herbs (such as valerian, hops, and chamomile) helps reduce anxiety and promote sleep” (e.p 1). There have been many clinical trial to support that Lemon Balm to help people with insomnia. In one of the study they took a group of people with minor sleep problem and 81 percent of them reported that they slept a lot better. Not only are they sleeping better but some claim that their anxiety has almost completely disappeared. It is also been proven to increase mood and alertness. This plant would be great for final week when students are stressing out because of their test and need something to help them calm down.
Another medical uses that Lemon Balm has is it can help people with herpes. There have been studies that mention ointments with lemon balm can heal sores caused by herpes. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, “In one study of 116 people with HSV, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores experienced significant improvement in redness and swelling after only 2 days” (e.p 1). However other symptoms like the pain and the scabbing did not improve. Both patients and doctors recommend Lemon Balm to help people with herpes because of how effective it is. Many people ask what makes Lemon Balm have so many health benefits? Scientist figured out that chemical call terpene, which is in the leaves of lemon balm is what cause people to be so relax. Usually people can take Lemon Balm as a tea or pill form.
Lemon Balm has a lot of myth and folklore that people believe for hundreds of years.

They believe that Lemon Balm was used to ward off evil and to promote good health, love, and happiness. According to the article “The Practical Herbalist” they said, “Lemon Balm sachets placed under your pillow or near the bed are reputed to provide a refreshing, relaxing sleep” (e.p1). Lemon Balm is a sleeping herb so it does make sense that people believe that putting Lemon Balm underneath a pillow will provide great sleep. Lemon Balm has even been use for spiritual reason as well. According to “Colour Energy Works” Lemon Balm “is used in rituals associated with healing, health, friendship, love and success” (e.p1). People believe that drinking tea with lemon balm can ease emotional pain, like a break up of a long-term

relationship.
Peppermint has as many medical benefits as Lemon Balm as well.

People have been using peppermint since 1,000 BC. In today's times people has been using them to but on food and to help people with medical problems. For example people who have indigestion problem, peppermint can help calm the muscles of the stomach to help with bile movement. It can even help to allow painful digestive gas to pass. However the main purpose that most people take peppermint is to help with their Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. There has been many studies that shows that peppermint can help treat symptoms of IBS like pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. According to University of Maryland Medical Center they said, “One study examined 57 people with IBS who received either enteric coated peppermint capsules or placebo twice a day for 4 weeks. Of the people who took peppermint, 75% had a significant reduction of IBS symptoms” (e.p 1). There are clinical trials that support the peppermint does help with people with IBS. Peppermint leaves and stems contain menthol, which is what scientist believes is the main reason why peppermint has all these medical benefits. Peppermint can be taken by tea, or a capsules three times a day to help with

IBS.
Peppermint has been around for so many years that it makes sense that there are going to be myth and folklore about them. According to Optimum Health Vitamins they talk about the many myth about peppermint they said, “Thousands of years ago in Egypt, peppermint was buried with the deceased to protect them on their journey into the afterlife or what they referred to as a kingdom” (e.p). Peppermint is a symbol of good health it make sense to put peppermint with the dead so they could have good life in the afterworld. Another thing that the Greeks and Roman would do is they would put peppermint underneath their pillow in order for them to have great dream. They would also believe that people who rooted out a mint plant would bring misfortune into their life. To me I feel like that folklore is the same as if I broke a mirror and I get 7 years of bad luck.
Peppermint and Lemon Balm are two great herbs to have in a medical chest; they can help with digestion and falling asleep and they have many myths about them. I would recommend peppermint for anyone who has digestion problem and Lemon Balm if they are having trouble sleeping.