Lemon Balm Plant Uses

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a perennial herb native to southern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, the herb still provides relief for numerous ailments and is also used for culinary, aromatic and cosmetic purposes. Gardeners consider the plant non-ornamental, as the common variety appears lank and weedy, but many still grow the herb to take advantage of its numerous benefits. The plant reaches about 2 feet in height and produces masses of wrinkled, aromatic leaves.

Medicinal

A calming, slightly sedative and mildly antibacterial herb, lemon balm has many medicinal uses. Though few studies have examined lemon balm alone, several clinical trials indicate the plant's medicinal benefits when combined with other herbs. One study, published in the February 2006 edition of "Phytotherapy Research," found that a combination of lemon balm and valerian root reduced anxiety when given to patients in small doses. In addition to treating stress and anxiety, lemon balm is also believed to inhibit viruses and bacteria in the human body. A study published in the December 2006 edition of "Planta Medica" found that an ointment containing a combination of lemon balm, sage, peppermint, prunella and rosemary may help heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus when used topically.
Herbal tea made from the lemon balm's fresh or dried leaves is consumed to treat insomnia, anxiety, agitation, herpes, fever, menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, colic, vomiting and poor digestion. Crushed leaves rubbed on the skin may help prevent insect bites or heal existing wounds, and a lemon balm infusion added to warm bath water may promote menstruation. Scientific research of the exact mechanism responsible for treating these conditions is lacking, though the herb has been used as a folk remedy for centuries.

Culinary

In the culinary world, chefs prize lemon balm for its light, refreshing aroma and taste, often described as lightly lemon with a hint of mint. The fresh leaves yield the best results in cooking, though the dried leaves and stems are often used for making tea. The leaves produce a mild, lemony tea, and they're often added to black or green teas for extra flavor. Whole or chopped fresh lemon balm leaves also add flavor to green salads, fruit salads, vegetable dishes, poultry stuffing and marinades for fish, and they provide a nice accompaniment to corn, beans, broccoli, asparagus, shell fish and lamb.

Aromatic

Only rarely used in perfume making, lemon balm's scent is easier and less expensive to synthesize. Some high-end products, however, do contain real lemon balm oil. Other aromatic uses of lemon balm include homemade potpourri and air freshener. The plant's essential oil, when mixed with water, produces a scented spray used to eliminate odor in the air. You can also harvest the plant's lower leaves in late summer when their essential oil content is highest, allow them to dry in a warm place for several days, and then use as potpourri or add to an herbal potpourri mixture.

Cosmetic

The lemon balm plant reportedly cleanses the skin, and herbal steams containing lemon balm leaves are recommended for sufferers of acne. Cleansing herbal baths including the plant's leaves may also benefit the complexion. Lemon balm essential oil is a common ingredient in homemade and commercial cosmetics formulated for oily or acne-prone skin. The essential oil has a slight drying effect and should not be used on dry skin.

Other Uses

In addition to its medicinal, culinary and cosmetic uses, lemon balm has enjoyed a variety of purposes over the years. In the early 1800s, wine was made using the plant's leaves. Beekeepers have used lemon balm for decades by rubbing the leaves inside bee hives to encourage new bees to stay. Gardeners wishing to attract bees to the garden for pollination purposes plant patches of lemon balm, as the herb is believed to be irresistible to the insects. Over 2000 years ago, Roman author and naturalist, Pliny wrote that bees like lemon balm more than any other herb. In Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor," the author mentions lemon balm as a furniture polish that women rubbed directly into wood. Today, many commercial furniture polish manufacturer's still use the herb in their products.