Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Lemon balm

(Botanical name: Melissa officinalis)

Classification

• Kingdom : Plantae
• Unranked : Angiosperms
• Unranked : Eudicots
• Unranked : Asterids
• Order : Lamiales
• Family : Lamiaceae
• Genus : Mellisa
• Species : M.officinalis

Lemon herb is a perennial herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae.

History

Lemon balm is also called bee balm, sweet balm and is popular to Mediterranean and English gardens.

Lemon balm leaves gives a strong pungent lemony smell when it is rubbed off and usually used in medicines to treat various ailments.

It is widely used in kitchens for culinary purpose as well. Its leaves are added to various cuisines in many countries to flavor the savory which enriches the taste.

It is a popular herb which is valued for its healing and restorative power.

Plant Description

It is native to Mediterranean region and southern Europe, but as if now widely found in all parts of the world.

It gives off lemony smell and bears white flowers which have led its wide cultivation.

The plant grows to a height of upto 2 feet and can grow more if maintained properly. The white yellow flowers bloom in spring and summer and leaves meet the stem.

The leaves are deep wrinkled and dark green in color which gives off a lemony smell.

The lemon balm leaves are similar to mint leaves, as both being from the family of Lamiaceae.

Cultivation

It is easy to cultivate lemon balm plant, as it needed ordinary type of well drained soil and prefers full sunlight with 70 degrees F temperature to germinate.

It is best plant to be potted outside the home. In dry climates it grows best in partial shade.

It grows easily in clumps and spreads vegetatively as well as by seed.

It is cultivated in most of the parts of world, but extensively lemon balm is grown in southern Europe.

Parts Used

Fresh or dried leaves are used.

Constituents

Tannins, Polyphenols and Eugenol.

Culinary uses

• Lemon balm is used as flavoring agent in ice creams and herbal tea.
• It is also added to candies and gums to give a mint flavor.
• The chopped leaves are added to fruit dishes and for garnishing purpose in other different cuisines.

Medicinal Uses

Lemon balm leaves are known to have powers of longevity. It is taken to treat.

• Cold and cough.
• Viral and flu.
• Low blood pressure.
• Insomnia.
• Relieves dyspepsia.
• Relieves spasms in digestive tracts.

It is thought to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

Its crushes leaves work as mosquito repellent and also used as mild sedative.

Its extract also found to have high antioxidant activities.

Names

• Balm mint
• Sweet balm
• Bee herb
• Garden balm
• Honey plant
• Mellisa.