Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm supports digestion and helps calm frazzled nerves.* A member of the mint family with broad leaves and a pleasing lemony scent, the lemon balm plant is bright and uplifting.

HERBAL BENEFITS

Common Name Lemon Balm, Balm, Melissa, Sweet Balm

Family Name Lamiaceae

Parts Used Leaf

Herbal Actions Carminative, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Hepatic

Health Benefits Digestion, Good Mood, Relaxation

More Lemon Balm info

Let this “Bringer of Gladness” elevate your mood.

What are the Benefits of Lemon Balm? The uses of lemon balm herb are mostly directed at the nervous and digestive systems. Sometimes called the “Bringer of Gladness,” it is the perfect plant ally for when you are occasionally feeling down. Considered a nervine, it is well known for its ability to calm the nervous system, but does lemon balm make you sleepy? Luckily the herbal action of lemon balm, at doses typically recommended for tea, is gentle and not overly sedating, making it a good herbal tea to sip throughout the day to relieve tension or drive away the occasional blues.*

The aroma of lemon balm is a joy to the senses, as its high essential oil content, mostly made up of citral, citronellal, linalool, and geraniol, comes through as a sweet citrus scent, brightening your mood just by smelling the fresh picked leaves. This high essential oil content is why lemon balm is traditionally used to support digestion, giving the herb a carminative action on the digestive tract. Carminative herbs are especially useful at dispersing gas in the lower gastrointestinal tract. This essential oil content in our lemon balm tea produces a flavor profile that is herbaceous with subtle notes of citrus.

Melissa (in latin, Melissa officinalis) is another name for lemon balm. Melissa comes from the Greek word for “honey,” and it is a fitting name because bees are wildly attracted to the plant. Lemon balm is native to the eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia, but is now cultivated throughout most of Central, Western, and Eastern Europe.

Lemon balm plants are quite easy to grow, and they can actually take over your garden if left unattended. It is great at attracting bees, making it a wonderful herbal addition to any veggie garden. You can buy seeds from a medicinal herb nursery or you can simply get a cutting from a friend.

Like many mint family (Lamiacea) plants, lemon balm has a distinctly square stem. This is a telltale sign for many of our mint family herbs like lavender, spearmint, catnip, skullcap, and rosemary, to name a few. So, next time you come across fresh lemon balm near you, be sure to twirl the stem in between your fingers to see what we mean.

Products that contain Lemon Balm

Additional Information

Important Precautions

Lemon balm may cause drowsiness. Exercise caution if you are driving or involved in activities requiring mental alertness. Consult your health care practitioner prior to use if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Legal Disclaimer

The information and other content in this article are designed to provide a general overview of the botany, cultural history, and traditional uses of this herb. It is not intended and should not be construed as health advice. Every person is unique and you should consult with your health care provider before using any herbal product or supplement.

Become an Herb Nerd & Get 10% Off!

Herbal tidbits, DIY plant projects, exclusive discounts, and recipes to follow the seasons delivered straight to your inbox.

More Lemon Balm info

Products that contain Lemon Balm

Additional Information

Become an Herb Nerd & Get 10% Off!

Join our communi-tea

My Cart

You May Also Like