SyneraBotanica
Materia Medica

Lamiaceae

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

A bright, lemon-scented mint that gladdens the heart, eases anxiety and settles a nervous stomach — gentle enough for children.

Also known as
Melissa, Balm
Parts used
Leaf, Aerial parts
Taste
Sour, Aromatic
Energetics
Cooling · Drying
Sourcing
Cultivated

Actions

Nervine relaxantCarminativeAntiviral (topical)Mild thyroid inhibitorSpasmolytic

Traditional use

Paracelsus called it the 'elixir of life', and the 17th-century Carmelite nuns made 'Eau de Mélisse' as a cordial for nervous complaints.

John Evelyn wrote that balm is 'sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away melancholy'.

Research

  • Reduces laboratory-induced stress and improves calmness

    Clinical

    Single doses of 600 mg extract improved self-rated calmness under a cognitive stressor in a placebo-controlled crossover trial.

    Kennedy DO et al. Psychosom Med. 2004;66(4):607–613.

  • GABA transaminase inhibition

    Preclinical

    Bioassay-guided fractionation identified rosmarinic acid as the main GABA-T inhibitor.

    Awad R et al. Phytother Res. 2009;23(8):1075–1081.

Key constituents

Rosmarinic acid
Inhibits GABA transaminase in vitro, potentially raising GABA levels.
Volatile oil (citral, citronellal)
Delicate and largely lost on drying; fresh-plant tincture preserves it.

Sourcing notes

Grows abundantly in gardens; harvest just before flowering for highest oil content.

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