7,617
edits
Changes
From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to searchno edit summary
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Lemon Balm
| image = Koeh-094.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Lemon Balm
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Melissa (plant)|Melissa]]''
| species = '''''M. officinalis'''''
| binomial = ''Melissa officinalis''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]]
}}
'''Lemon balm''' (''Melissa officinalis''), not to be confused with [[bee balm]], ''[[Monarda]]'' species, is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]] in the mint family [[Lamiaceae]], native to southern [[Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean region]].
It grows to 70-150 cm tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] have a gentle [[lemon]] scent, related to [[mint]]. At the end of the summer, little white [[flower]]s full of nectar appear. These attract [[bee]]s, hence the genus name ''[[Melissa]]'' ([[Greek Language|Greek]] for 'honey bee'). Its [[flavour]] comes from the [[terpene]]s [[citronellal]], [[citronellol]], [[citral]], and [[geraniol]].
==Cultivation and use==
===Cultivation===
This herb can be easy to cultivate in [[United States Department of Agriculture]] [[hardiness zone|Plant Hardiness Zones]] 4 to 9. In zone 4, it needs winter mulch and a well-drained sandy soil to survive. In zone 7, it can be harvested at least until the end of November. It is moderately shade-tolerant, much more so than most herbs. In dry climates, it grows best in partial shade.
Lemon Balm grows in clumps and spreads vegetatively as well as by seed. In mild [[temperate zone]]s, the stems of the plant die off at the start of the [[winter]], but shoot up again in [[spring (season)|spring]]. It can be easily grown from stem cuttings rooted in water, or from seeds. Under ideal conditions, it will seed itself prolifically and can become a nuisance in gardens.
===Food and drink===
Lemon balm is often used as a flavouring in [[ice cream]] and [[tisane|herbal teas]], both hot and [[iced tea|iced]], often in combination with other [[herb]]s such as [[spearmint]]. It is also frequently paired with fruit dishes or [[candy|candies]].
===Medicinal uses===
The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for [[mosquito]]s.
Lemon Balm is also used medicinally as a herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have antibacterial, antiviral properties, and it is also used as a mild sedative or calming agent. At least one study has found it to be effective at reducing stress, although the study's authors call for further research<ref>{{cite journal | last = Kennedy | first = D.O. | coauthors = W. Little, A.B. Scholey. | year = 2004 | title = Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) | journal = Psychosom Med | volume = 66 | issue = 4 | pages = 607-613}}</ref>. Its antibacterial properties have also been demonstrated scientifically, although they are markedly weaker than those from a number of other plants studied<ref>{{cite journal | last = Nascimento | first = G.G.F. | coauthors = J. Locatelli, P.C. Freitas, G.L. Silva | year = 2002 | title = Antibacterial activity of plant extracts and phytochemicals on Antibiotic-resistant bacteria | journal = Brazilian Journal of Microbiology | volume = 31 | issue = 4}} </ref>.
Lemon balm [[essential oil]] is very popular in [[aromatherapy]]. The essential oil is commonly co-distilled with lemon oil, [[citronella]] oil, or other oils.
Warning: Lemon balm should be avoided by those on thyroid medication (such as thyroxine) as it is believed that the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Melissa1.jpg
Image:Melissa officinalis01.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis1.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis2.JPG|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis3.JPG|Plant
</gallery>
{{Commons|Melissa officinalis}}
{{wikiversity-bc|Melissa officinalis}}
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/balm--02.html Mrs M. Grieve, ''A Modern Herbal'':] Lemon Balm
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Flavors]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Lemon Balm
| image = Koeh-094.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Lemon Balm
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Melissa (plant)|Melissa]]''
| species = '''''M. officinalis'''''
| binomial = ''Melissa officinalis''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]]
}}
'''Lemon balm''' (''Melissa officinalis''), not to be confused with [[bee balm]], ''[[Monarda]]'' species, is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]] in the mint family [[Lamiaceae]], native to southern [[Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean region]].
It grows to 70-150 cm tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] have a gentle [[lemon]] scent, related to [[mint]]. At the end of the summer, little white [[flower]]s full of nectar appear. These attract [[bee]]s, hence the genus name ''[[Melissa]]'' ([[Greek Language|Greek]] for 'honey bee'). Its [[flavour]] comes from the [[terpene]]s [[citronellal]], [[citronellol]], [[citral]], and [[geraniol]].
==Cultivation and use==
===Cultivation===
This herb can be easy to cultivate in [[United States Department of Agriculture]] [[hardiness zone|Plant Hardiness Zones]] 4 to 9. In zone 4, it needs winter mulch and a well-drained sandy soil to survive. In zone 7, it can be harvested at least until the end of November. It is moderately shade-tolerant, much more so than most herbs. In dry climates, it grows best in partial shade.
Lemon Balm grows in clumps and spreads vegetatively as well as by seed. In mild [[temperate zone]]s, the stems of the plant die off at the start of the [[winter]], but shoot up again in [[spring (season)|spring]]. It can be easily grown from stem cuttings rooted in water, or from seeds. Under ideal conditions, it will seed itself prolifically and can become a nuisance in gardens.
===Food and drink===
Lemon balm is often used as a flavouring in [[ice cream]] and [[tisane|herbal teas]], both hot and [[iced tea|iced]], often in combination with other [[herb]]s such as [[spearmint]]. It is also frequently paired with fruit dishes or [[candy|candies]].
===Medicinal uses===
The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for [[mosquito]]s.
Lemon Balm is also used medicinally as a herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have antibacterial, antiviral properties, and it is also used as a mild sedative or calming agent. At least one study has found it to be effective at reducing stress, although the study's authors call for further research<ref>{{cite journal | last = Kennedy | first = D.O. | coauthors = W. Little, A.B. Scholey. | year = 2004 | title = Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) | journal = Psychosom Med | volume = 66 | issue = 4 | pages = 607-613}}</ref>. Its antibacterial properties have also been demonstrated scientifically, although they are markedly weaker than those from a number of other plants studied<ref>{{cite journal | last = Nascimento | first = G.G.F. | coauthors = J. Locatelli, P.C. Freitas, G.L. Silva | year = 2002 | title = Antibacterial activity of plant extracts and phytochemicals on Antibiotic-resistant bacteria | journal = Brazilian Journal of Microbiology | volume = 31 | issue = 4}} </ref>.
Lemon balm [[essential oil]] is very popular in [[aromatherapy]]. The essential oil is commonly co-distilled with lemon oil, [[citronella]] oil, or other oils.
Warning: Lemon balm should be avoided by those on thyroid medication (such as thyroxine) as it is believed that the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Melissa1.jpg
Image:Melissa officinalis01.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis1.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis2.JPG|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis3.JPG|Plant
</gallery>
{{Commons|Melissa officinalis}}
{{wikiversity-bc|Melissa officinalis}}
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/balm--02.html Mrs M. Grieve, ''A Modern Herbal'':] Lemon Balm
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Flavors]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
