Practical
Plants

Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm

a perennial member of the Melissa genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Melissa
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.7 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant lemon-like aroma and flavour, they are used mainly as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods[19][21][22][23][3][15][5]. A lemon-flavoured tea can be made from the fresh or dried leaves[9][5]. A bunch of the leaves can be added to china tea, much improving the flavour, the leaves are also added to fruit cups etc[17]. They are used as a flavouring in various alcoholic beverages including Chartreuse and Benedictine[12].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Lemon balm is a commonly grown household remedy with a long tradition as a tonic remedy that raises the spirits and lifts the heart[14]. Modern research has shown that it can help significantly in the treatment of cold sores[14]. The leaves and young flowering shoots are antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, and tonic[17][21][23][9][4][12]. It also acts to inhibit thyroid activity[12]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and colds, indigestion associated with nervous tension, excitability and digestive upsets in children, hyperthyroidism, depression, mild insomnia, headaches etc[17][23][12]. Externally, it is used to treat herpes, sores, gout, insect bites and as an insect repellent[12]. The plant can be used fresh or dried, for drying it is harvested just before or just after flowering[23]. The essential oil contains citral and citronella, which act to calm the central nervous system and are strongly antispasmodic[14]. The plant also contains polyphenols, in particular these combat the herpes simplex virus which produces cold sores[14]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Female aspects'[10]. It is used to relax and rejuvenate, especially in cases of depression and nervous tension[12].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antiviral
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The growing plant is said to repel flies and ants[3]. It is also rubbed on the skin as a repellent[12], though the essential oil would be more effective here[K]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant[1] (the exact part is not specified, it is probably the entire plant and especially the flowering stems). It is used medicinally. The whole plant is very pleasantly aromatic, the aroma lasting for a long time after the plant has been harvested. It is therefore a very useful ingredient in pot-pourri[17].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Pot-pourri
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
C. and S. Europe, W. Asia and N. Africa. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Waste places and derelict land near human habitations[23].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. Germination can be slow[8]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when the plants are at least 15cm tall[K]. If there is plenty of seed it can be sown in an outdoor seed bed in April. Plant out into their permanent positions the following spring. Division in spring or autumn[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Cuttings in July/August.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[8]. It prefers a light rich moist soil[16][20],a warm position[15][16] and partial shade[17]. Once established, this is a drought tolerant species[7][8], it is a useful plant to try in difficult dry places[6], usually succeeding in the dustiest of soils once it is established[7]. Lemon balm is often grown in the herb garden, and sometimes also commercially[18], there are some named varieties[5]. Plants can often self-sow so freely as to become a menace[6]. If the plants are cut back hard after flowering, they will produce a fresh flush of leaves[12]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[11]. A good bee plant[17][22][13]. A good companion plant, especially for brassicas[3].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  10. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  13. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  14. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  16. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  19. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  20. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

  21. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  22. Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7225-0445-4

    ↩1↩2

  23. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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