Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant, with tiny white to slightly-pink blossoms. This plant has a pleasant lemony scent and is a favorite of honey bees; hence its name (“melissa” is Greek for “bee”).
Lemon balm leaves and blossoms accumulate an essential oil containing about 70 compounds, the most important of which are citral, geraniol, linalool and citronellol. Lemon balm leaves also contain ascorbic acid, minerals, rosemary, chlorogen, ursolic, caffeic acids, tannins, saponins and other biologically active substances.
Lemon balm has long been cultivated as a spice, and is especially valued for its fragrant, soothing leaf tea. The experience accumulated over many centuries, as well as the research carried out in recent years, suggests that lemon balm helps to maintain normal mental health, enabling you to relax and to fall asleep.
