Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis L.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial mint-family herb 30–90 cm tall; its toothed oval leaves smell of lemon and its small white or pale pink flowers grow in whorls, making it a valued culinary and calming medicinal herb.
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Lemon balm — seedlingsLemon balm — flowers
Lemon balm — inflorescence
Lemon balm — leaves, flowers and fruits
Lemon balm — flowers
Lemon balm — seedlingLemon balm — seedlingsLemon balm — flowersOverview
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a **perennial** herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), genus Melissa, 30–90 cm tall with square stems growing in clumps. Its **leaves are opposite**, oval to heart-shaped with **toothed margins**, softly hairy, and release a **pleasant lemon scent** when crushed; the leaves are the most used part. The **small flowers**, ivory-white or pale pink, grow in **whorls in the upper leaf axils**, bloom from summer to early autumn and are highly attractive to honeybees — the genus name *Melissa* means 'bee'. The **fruit** is a small brown nutlet. The species is native to the **Mediterranean region and western Asia** and is now cultivated worldwide.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
In Vietnam, lemon balm is grown as a **culinary and medicinal herb** in home gardens; it prefers **light sun to partial shade** and moist, well-drained soil. Fresh leaves are brewed into a **relaxing tea that aids digestion and eases anxiety and insomnia**; the essential oil is also used in fragrances and cosmetics. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productSeed & seedling
Small **seeds** germinate on moist soil; **seedlings** grow in clumps with toothed young oval leaves.
Growth & leaves
The plant forms a clump of many **opposite toothed leaves** that release a **lemon aroma** when crushed.
Flowering
From summer to early autumn, **small creamy white or pale pink flowers** form whorls in the leaf axils, attracting many honeybees.
Mass flowering & seed
Flowers open in white-and-pink whorls; small brown **nutlets** then form, seeds drop and the plant can regrow from the base.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- Mediterranean & S. Europe (native)30%
- W. Asia & Middle East (native)20%
- Central & N. Europe (cultivated)20%
- North America (introduced)15%
- Elsewhere (cultivated)15%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Essential oil (citral, citronellal)Lemon aroma and calming effect30%
- Rosmarinic acidAntioxidant and anti-inflammatory20%
- Flavonoids (luteolin)Mild sedation, cell protection15%
- Caffeic acidAntioxidant activity15%
- TanninsAstringent, aids digestion10%
- MineralsPotassium, calcium, magnesium10%
Uses
- Relaxing tea: fresh or dried leaves are brewed into **lemon balm tea** to **calm the mind, ease anxiety and aid sleep**.
- Digestive support: lemon balm tea helps relieve bloating, indigestion and stomach cramps.
- Culinary herb: fresh leaves add a **natural lemon scent** to salads, desserts and drinks.
- Essential oil & cosmetics: the oil is used in perfumes, soaps and skincare products.
- Garden: grown in herb borders, it **attracts honeybees** and mildly repels mosquitoes.
Properties
- Morphology
- Square stem; **opposite toothed leaves**; **small flowers in whorls**
- Aroma & taste
- Fresh lemon aroma, mild slightly bitter taste
- Ecology
- Fairly cold-hardy, easy to grow, strong bee attractant
- Medicinal
- Calming, eases anxiety and supports digestion
Habitat & conservation
Lemon balm prefers **light sun to partial shade**, a temperate climate and loose, moist but well-drained soil; it is fairly cold-tolerant and is usually grown in gardens or pots. Native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, it is now cultivated widely across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.
Conservation
Lemon balm is not threatened but a common medicinal and culinary herb, widely cultivated. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).
References
- 1POWO — Melissa officinalis L. — Plants of the World Online (Kew), 2026
- 2GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Melissa officinalis L. (key 5341501) — GBIF, 2026
- 3Wikipedia EN — Lemon balm — Wikipedia EN, 2026
- 4Wikipedia VI — Tía tô đất — Wikipedia VI, 2026
- 5Wikipedia ZH — 香蜂草 — Wikipedia ZH, 2026
- 6Ảnh: Melissa officinalis (flowers, inflorescence) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026
- 7Ảnh: Melissa officinalis (leaves, flowers, fruits; seedlings) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026