Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a herb from the mint family. Also known as bee balm, is a lemon-scented mint plant native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia but grown worldwide. People have traditionally used lemon balm to reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function, but it may also benefit the heart and other body systems. The leaves, which have a mild lemon aroma, are used to make tea, medicine and flavor foods. Lemon balm has properties that acts as a sedative and calming effect. It might also reduce the growth of some viruses and bacteria.
People use lemon balm for cold sores, anxiety, stress, insomnia, indigestion, dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
You can harvest small amounts of lemon balm for use throughout its growing season by snapping off a few leaves at a time.
For a bigger harvest, use your garden scissors to snip leaves from the center stem, in between side shoots, to continue encouraging bushy, full growth.
Photo for illustration only. Actual products may vary due to the nature of the product.
