Lemon Balm ( Melissa Officinalis ) Plant Profile

Lemon balm (melissa officinalis) is one of three species of the genus Melissa, and is native throughout Europe to central Asia and grown worldwide. The latin name 'melissa' comes from the Greek word for 'bees', and was originally grown as a bee plant. Beekeepers would rub the plant inside the hive to encourage a new swarm to stay. The Roman scholar, Pliny noted that bees preferred lemon balm to any other herb. (note- this herb should not be confused with Bee balm monarda didyma )

Melissa is a perennial upright plant. A member of the mint family with the characteristic square stem and ovate toothed leaves that are highly aromatic when bruised. it grows up to 80cm (32ins) high and has white or yellowish two-lipped flowers arranged in clusters at the leaf axis.

The herb has been in cultivation for over 2000 years and was very popular with the Arabs, who attributed increased intelligence to all that ate it. Throughout it's history, the herb has been considered as a 'cure-all' and has been used to heal wounds, soothe bites and stings, for stress, insomnia, digestion, depression, to treat cold sores and strengthening the mind and memory.

The 16th century physician Paracelsus called it 'the elixir of life' and prescribed lemon balm for 'all complaints supposed to proceed from a disordered state of the nervous system'. John Evelyn (1620-1706) described it as a 'sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away meloncholy'.

Lemon balm was also included in an alcoholic infusion known as Carmelite water, produced by the Carmelite nuns during the 16th century. It was regarded as an excellant medicine for headaches and neuralgia. It was also used externally as an after bath rub, and was one of the first alcohol-based perfumes.

Melissa can be taken internally for, nervous disorders, such as indigestion associated with nervous tension, and digestive upsets due to over-excitement in children; hyperthyroidism; insomnia; depression; anxiety; palpitations; and tension headaches. Externally it is used for, genital herpes; cold sores; sores; insect bites.

Lemon balm can be propagated fom seeds, cuttings or root division. The seeds can be slow to propagate and need light and moisture to germinate, so planting depth should be no more than 1/4 in (6mm). To speed things along, you can put the seeds into moistened peat moss or sand in a resealable bag and place the bag in the fridge for a week or two. Start them off indoors and transplant them outside in late spring. Root division is done in spring or autumn. The plant prefers rich, well-drained soils, but will tolerate poor, sandy soils, and will grow in full sun to partial shade. It is susceptible to mildew in winter, so keep fairly dry. Harvesting is best in the afternoon when the oils are strongest.

Parts used: - Aerial parts, fresh or dried. Dried plant tends to lose potency after 6 months.

Key Actions: - Anti-viral, antibacterial, antispasmodic, carminative, increases sweating, nerve tonic, relaxant.

Constituents: - Volatile oil (inc. citral and citronellal), flavonoids, triterpenes, polyphenols, tannins.

Preparations: - Infusions, tincture, ointments, creams, compress, infused oil, essential oil.