Scientific name
Melissa officinalis
Family
Labiatae
Origin
Mediterranean Basin, Western Asia
Parts Used
Drug consisting of lemon balm leaves (Official Pharmacopoeia)
Chemical constituents
- Flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin).
- Derivatives of caffeic and chlorogenic acid;
- Rosmarinic acid;
- Triterpenes;
- Essential oil (citral, citronellal and caryophyllene);
- Bitter substances;
- Polysaccharides;
- Mucilage;
- Glycosides.
Melissa in Herbalist: Properties of Melissa
Lemon balm is used effectively in visceral somatization of anxiety, having a dual role of antispasmodic and sedative at the same time.
In addition, carminative, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-hormonal properties are also attributed to lemon balm.
