Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Latin: Melissa officinalis

Energetics: Cool, neutral to slightly dry

Taste: Spicy, pungent, slightly bitter, and sour

Category: Calms disturbed shen/ nervine

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) has been valued for centuries as a gentle herb that supports emotional balance, digestive comfort, and overall wellness. Native to Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and parts of Asia, it is now widely cultivated and commonly grown in home gardens.

Lemon balm is a perennial member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) with softly toothed, heart-shaped leaves and small pale flowers that appear in summer. The aerial parts are worked with in herbal preparations and are typically harvested just before flowering, when aromatic oils are most abundant. The plant grows well in average soil and prefers full sun.

Traditionally, lemon balm has been recognized for its calming and relaxing properties, often included in herbal preparations to support a balanced mood, ease occasional nervous tension, and encourage restful sleep. Its gentle nature makes it a popular choice for both adults and children, and it has been valued for encouraging clear thinking and steady focus while helping the body stay resilient through everyday stress. Melissa has a long history of use as a carminative herb that supports healthy digestion and is helpful in easing occasional gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort, particularly when these experiences are associated with stress or nervous tension.

Herbal traditions have long called upon lemon balm to nurture the body's natural defenses and overall immune wellness, and has been widely incorporated into topical preparations and body care products designed to soothe and promote healthy skin. Its antiviral activity has been traditionally worked with in topical preparations intended to support the skin during occasional outbreaks of oral, ophthalmic, or genital herpes, as well as shingles. Lemon balm has been described as antioxidant supportive, mildly relaxing to smooth muscle, supportive of healthy circulation and metabolic balance, and as a gentle herb that promotes overall vitality and resilience. When prepared as a warm herbal infusion, Lemon Balm encourages healthy perspiration and relaxation during times of seasonal discomfort or fever.

Lemon balm's bright citrus flavor makes it a beloved culinary herb, often featured in jams, jellies, salads, fish, poultry, and liqueurs, and widely enjoyed as a refreshing herbal infusion. Beyond the kitchen, it is also incorporated into perfumes, cosmetics, and natural body care preparations.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.