Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)[note 1] is a perennialherbaceous plant in themint family. It haslemon-scented leaves, white or pale pink flowers, and contains essential oils and compounds likegeranial and neral. It grows to a maximum height of 1 m (3+1⁄2 ft). The species isnative to south-centralEurope, theMediterranean,Central Asia, andIran, is now naturalized worldwide and grows easily fromseed in rich, moistsoil.
The genus nameMelissa comes from the Greek wordμέλισσα (mélissa), meaning "honey bee", due to the plant's bee-attracting flowers, and the epithet from Latinofficinalis, referring to its traditional use inapothecaries. It has been cultivated (and used to attract honey bees) since at least the 16th century. Lemon balm grows vigorously from seed or vegetative fragments intemperate zones, with key producers likeHungary,Egypt, andItaly cultivating variouscultivars for hand-harvested leaves and low-yield essential oil, notably inIreland. Lemon balm is used inCarmelite Water, as anornamental plant, inperfumes andtoothpaste, as a raw or cooked herb in various foods andteas, and is valued for its bee-attracting properties and aromatic essential oils.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is aperennial herbaceous plant in the mint family,Lamiaceae.[2]
Lemon balm plants grow bushy and upright to a maximum height of 100 centimetres (39 in). The heart-shaped leaves are2–8 cm (3⁄4–3+1⁄4 in) long, and have a rough, veined surface. They are soft and hairy with scalloped edges, and have a mildlemon scent. During summer, small white or pale pinkflowers appear. The plants live for ten years; the crop plant is replaced after five years to allow the ground to rejuvenate.[6]
The white flowers attractbees, hence the genusMelissa (Greek for "honey bee"). It is not to be confused withbee balm (genusMonarda).
The second name,officinalis (Latin, 'of the shop'), originates from the use of the herb byapothecaries, who sold herbal remedies directly to their customers.[9]
Lemon balmseeds require light and a minimum temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) togerminate. The plant grows in clumps and spreadsvegetatively (a new plant growing from a fragment of its parent), as well as by seed. In mildtemperate zones, the plant stems die off at the start of the winter, but shoot up again in spring. Lemon balm grows vigorously.[13]
As of 1992[update], Hungary, Egypt, and Italy are the major producing countries of lemon balm.[5] The leaves are harvested by hand in June and August in the northern hemisphere, on a day when the weather is dry, to prevent the crop from turning black if damp.[6]
Ireland is a major producer of lemon balm essential oil, which has a pale yellow colour and a lemon scent.[5] The essential oil is commonly co-distilled withlemon oil,citronella oil or other essential oils.[15]Yields are low; 0.014% for fresh leaves and 0.112% for dried leaves.[5]
The plant is grown and sold as anornamental plant, and for attracting bees. The essential oil is used as a perfume ingredient[17] and in toothpaste.[18] The young leaves can be eaten raw.[19]
The use of lemon balm can be dated to over 2,000 years ago through theGreeks and theRomans. It is mentioned by the Greek polymathTheophrastus in hisHistoria Plantarum, written inc.300 BC,[22] as "bee-leaf" (μελισσόφυλλον).[23] Lemon balm was formally introduced into Europe in the 7th century, from which its use and domestication spread.[22] Its use in theMiddle Ages is noted byherbalists, writers,philosophers, and scientists.
Lemon balm was a favourite plant of theTudors, who scattered the leaves across their floors.[24] It was in theherbal garden of the EnglishbotanistJohn Gerard in the 1590s,[25] who considered it especially good for feeding and attractinghoney bees.[26] Especially cultivated forhoney production, according to the authors Janet Dampney and Elizabeth Pomeroy, "bees were thought never to leave a garden in which it was grown".[24] It was introduced to North America by the first colonists from Europe; it was cultivated in theGardens of Monticello, designed by the American statesmanThomas Jefferson.[27]
The English botanistNicholas Culpeper considered lemon balm to be ruled by the planetJupiter inCancer, and suggested it to be used for "weak stomachs", to cause the heart to become "merry", to help digestion, to open "obstructions of the brain", and to expel "melancholy vapors" from the heart and arteries.[28] 'Balm water' or 'Aqua Melissa' was used as a healthy beverage from the 18th century.[29]
Axtell, B.L.; Fairman, R.M. (1992). "Melissa officinalis".Minor Oil Crops. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.ISBN978-92-5-103128-5.
Dousti, Mashta (2012)."Evidence-based Traditional Persian Medicine". In Rastogi, Sanjeev; Chiappelli, Francesco; Ramchandani, Manisha Harish; Singh, Ram Harsh (eds.).Evidence-based practice in complementary and alternative medicine: perspectives, protocols, problems, and potential in Ayurveda. Berlin: Springer.ISBN978-3-642-24564-0.
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