Lemon balm extract 10% | Melissa officinalis

Properties: Lemon balm definitely can be considered “legendary”. There are probably few people that have never heard a phrase like: “Take it easy, I’ll get you a cup of lemon balm tea”. Indeed, melissa is usually perceived as a natural remedy to cool down emotions and return to inner balance. Moreover, it is also one of the main components in many herbal mixtures. But why exactly is it so popular? And does drinking a cup of lemon balm tea really calm you down? Turns out it can and we have scientific evidence for that.. Lemon balm contains substances that have a soothing effect on the nervous system. Rosemary acid found in its leaves increases the availability of neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. Thus, the stress level decreases and it becomes easier for us to handle tough situations. 

It is important to remember that an optimal amount of sleep is crucial to keep the mind healthy. If we want to get a proper night rest we need serenity. Therefore, supplements that contain melissa extracts should be taken in the evening after a long, stressful day.  Medical melissa not only helps us to calm down but it also stimulates the activity of acetylcholine – one of the key neurotransmitters of the brain. Hereby, it increases attention span and improves memory. Moreover, it supports the general condition of the nervous system by intensifying neurogenesis – the production of new neural cells.   

Lemon balm supplementation might prove to be beneficial, if we want to take extra care of our immune system. Scientific studies have demonstrated antiviral properties of melissa. Active compounds found in its leaves increase the production of leukocytes needed to produce any immune response. Moreover, this herb shows antibacterial properties against some of the microbes.

Keep in mind that lemon balm has become an important plant in aromatherapy as its essential oils are often used in order to relax. They have a pleasant smell and can soothe the senses. Perhaps those are the reasons why melissa extract was employed in ancient times to calm the nerves and ease the pain. This also might be an answer to why it has been so popular through ages. Now, it will be a good idea to enjoy all of nature’s gifts and appreciate their beneficial effects.

Occurrence: Lemon balm is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It grows naturally in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. There, it can be found near houses, yards or meadows, reaching up to 40 in. It has a distinctive citrus flavor, apparent especially when leaves are crushed. The leaves are round or heart-shaped with notched edges. In spring and summer time, its little, bright yellow flowers bloom somewhere between stems and leaves. 

In traditional European medicine melissa officinalis has been used for over 2000 years as a remedy for indigestion and as a painkiller. Fresh herbs were applied on wounds and rubbed into bite marks. In ancient Greece and Rome, this plan was also known as ‘ the joy for heart’ for its calming properties. It was also mentioned in the Historiae Plantarum, botanical treatise written by Theophrastus from Eresos around 300 BC. In the middle ages, lemon balm was also noticed by Paracelsus, who referred to it as a “life elixir”, as he considered it to be powerful enough to restore health.

Biochemistry: Undoubtedly, the compound that makes lemon balm’s properties so unique is rosmarinic acid. From a chemical perspective, it belongs to polyphenols. Essential oil, often used in aromatherapy, is one of the most fascinating substances found in lemon balm. Melissa plant also contains: organic acids (such as coffee acid and gallic acid), glycosides, triterpene compounds, tannins and bitter substances.

Fun fact: Melissa officinalis was often found in monastery gardens. Monks were skilled in producing wine and other alcohol drinks from this plant. In the 17th century there was a popular drink called “Carmelite soul” (Eau de Melisse des Carmes) – a spicy vodka based on fresh melissa leaves, secretly brewed by the members of the Discalced Carmelites order  from Paris.