Lemon balm, leaves, rough cut, DEMETER, certified organic

Name: Lemon Balm / Melissa (Deutsch: Melisse / Zitronenmelisse)
Latin Name: Melissa officinalis L.
Product Form: Leaves, dried, cut
Ingredients: 100% dried lemon balm leaves from certified organic farming

Lemon balm is one of the best-known and most versatile medicinal plants in Europe. Melissa officinalis impresses with its fresh, lemony aroma and has been valued for centuries both in the kitchen and in herbal medicine. Particularly as lemon balm tea, it has become a staple in many households.

Uses and Effects

As a tea: The dried, loose lemon balm leaves in organic quality are ideal for preparing aromatic lemon balm tea. Whether served hot on cooler days or chilled as a refreshing iced melissa tea in summer, the possibilities are plentiful. Organic lemon balm tea also combines beautifully with other herbs such as hops or valerian for a soothing evening blend. Further instructions on preparation can be found in the "Preparation" tab.

As a culinary herb: With its delicately tart, lemony flavour, the plant - also known as lemon herb - adds a special touch to a wide variety of dishes. Dried lemon balm leaves are well suited for refining summery salads, light desserts, homemade herb butter and fruity drinks. Its aroma pairs particularly well with yoghurt, fruit, fish and poultry.

As a supportive herb in natural medicine: Lemon balm leaves are traditionally used in herbal medicine to support a sense of calm and to complement the management of mild sleep difficulties. Melissa officinalis is also traditionally employed to support digestive comfort, including mild bloating and cramps. Further information on uses can be found in the "Areas of Application" tab.

About the Plant

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It grows to a height of 30 to 90 cm and forms upright, branched stems. The oval, serrated, light-green leaves release a characteristic lemony fragrance when crushed. The small, whitish-yellow flowers appear from June to September in whorls along the stems and are particularly attractive to bees. The genus name Melissa is in fact derived from the Greek word for bee. The plant is closely related to other well-known members of the mint family, including thyme, sage and mint.

Other common names: Lemon balm is also known by the folk names sweet balm, common balm, balm mint, garden balm, bee balm, heart's delight and blue balm, among others.

Origin and harvest time: Lemon balm originally comes from the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia. Today it is cultivated worldwide, including in Germany, Bulgaria and other European countries. The leaves are ideally harvested just before flowering, when the concentration of essential oils is at its peak. The main harvest period falls between May and August.

Historical roots: The use of lemon balm dates back to antiquity. The Greek physician Dioscorides already recommended the plant for insect stings and wound care. During the Middle Ages, it was considered an indispensable herb in monastery gardens and was cultivated extensively by Benedictine monks. Paracelsus once described melissa as the most important herb for the heart. The famous Carmelite water, a lemon balm extract, was produced from the 17th century onwards as a widely used remedy and remains well known to this day. In European folk medicine, lemon balm has traditionally been used to support relaxation and digestive well-being.

Key active constituents:

• Essential oil (citral, citronellal, linalool): Responsible for the characteristic lemon fragrance and a key contributor to the plant's calming properties.
• Rosmarinic acid: A polyphenol with antioxidant properties, considered one of the most significant active compounds in lemon balm.
• Caffeic acid derivatives: Plant compounds that contribute to the overall activity of melissa and have been used in traditional herbal medicine.
• Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin): Secondary plant substances with antioxidant properties that act in combination with other constituents.
• Tannins: Present in the leaves and contribute to the astringent characteristics of the plant.
• Triterpenic acids (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid): Further secondary plant compounds that are recognised in traditional natural medicine.

Herbathek Stands for the Highest Quality

All products available at Herbathek are exclusively selected and of the highest quality. Our lemon balm is also naturally pure and of the finest organic quality: free from preservatives, flavourings and other artificial additives - 100% natural!

Origin: Our dried lemon balm leaves come from certified organic farming. Agriculture offers ideal climatic conditions for cultivating high-quality medicinal herbs.

Careful cultivation & gentle processing: Throughout the entire growing and harvesting process, careful handling of the plant is ensured at every stage. This preserves its natural, plant-typical properties as completely as possible. The specifically cultivated plant variety differs significantly from wild-growing variants and has a notably higher density of plant constituents. A particularly gentle further processing method and a specially adapted drying procedure ensure the purity and high quality of this naturally pure raw material.

You can also purchase other similar products at Herbathek:

• Organic Lemon Balm Powder (from ground lemon balm leaves)
• Lemon Balm Herbal Drops with Melissa Extract