Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a small, bushy perennial herb in the mint family. Its small white flowers are much beloved by bees: The genus name, Melissa, is Greek for “honey bee”. The plant has a two-thousand-year history of use in food as a sweetener and flavoring agent.[1] Lemon balm’s leaves release a strong lemon scent when crushed. The leaves are traditionally used in European herbal medicine for stress relief, for bloating and flatulence, as a sleep aid,[2] and externally as an antiviral, particularly for cold sores.[3] Middle Eastern traditional medicine has used the whole lemon balm plant to treat stress, insomnia, depression, anxiety, heart palpitations, paralysis, epilepsy, rheumatism (externally), cough, and fever.[3][4][5] Lemon balm is also used as a natural food flavoring in Europe,[2] and the FDA lists lemon balm as generally regarded as safe (GRAS) when used as a spice, as well as listing its essential oil (known as Balm Oil) as GRAS as a flavoring ingredient.[6]
What is lemon balm?
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•Last Updated: October 29, 2024