Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint
family and shares its ability to be invasive. When choosing a location, do not
plant any member of the mint family where it can overrun other plantings.
This plant has multiple uses and has been grown
for centuries for its scent, its attraction for bees and its medicinal
properties. There are still patent medicines available that utilize lemon balm
as a primary ingredient.
As a culinary herb, Lemon Balm is used to
flavor poultry and fish; it can be added to sauces of all kinds for light
lemony flavor. The leaves can be added to green and fruit salads to give a
bright pickup. It makes a delicate addition to tea breads and sugar cookie
recipes. Use it in place of lemon peel for salad dressings.
Bees love the small yellow blossoms; they have
traditionally been planted near bee hives. The botanical name: Melissa
Officinalis is taken from the Greek or possibly Minoan name of the
nymph who taught the population about bees and honey. The Greek words mélissa (bee) and meli (honey)
have the same derivation.
Medicinally,
Lemon Balm has been used to treat stomach disorders, colic in infants, insomnia
and cold sores. Recent research has found it may be effective in treating
dementia and anxiety. Treatment usually involves teas or tisanes of lemon balm
and other herbs or topical application of oils. Products utilizing Lemon Balm
are available from most herb product suppliers (see my Sources Page).
