Balm (Melissa officinalis, Sp. Pl.: 592 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 592 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melissa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to C. Asia

Description

Balm, scientifically known as Melissa officinalis, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This aromatic plant, commonly referred to as lemon balm due to its lemon-like scent, has a rich history and wide array of uses, both culinary and medicinal.

Originating from the Mediterranean region extending to Central Asia, balm has been widely cultivated for centuries, prized for its fragrant foliage and therapeutic properties. The medicinal virtues of balm were well-documented by early herbalists and botanists, with its formal classification by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 noted in “Species Plantarum.”

Key characteristics of balm include its square stems, a trait typical of the mint family, heart-shaped leaves with a slightly serrated edge, and small, white or pale pink flowers that bloom during the summer months. The plant can reach a height of up to 70-150 cm, forming clumps that can spread over time, making it a common sight in herb gardens and wild meadows.

In contemporary times, balm is celebrated for its calming effects and has been incorporated into various wellness formulations. It is often used in teas, tinctures, and essential oils to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Additionally, balm’s mild antibacterial and antiviral properties contribute to its beneficial application in treating colds and digestive issues.

Moreover, balm’s delightful citrus flavor makes it a versatile ingredient in cooking and baking. It can be added fresh to salads, sauces, and desserts, or used to infuse drinks with a refreshing zest.

The enduring appeal of Melissa officinalis lies in its dual role as a soothing herbal remedy and a flavorful culinary herb, making it a treasured plant across multiple regions and cultures.

Common Names

Eng: balm, beebalm, common balm, lemonbalm, melissa, lemon balm, bee herb, garden balm, sweet balm, tea balm
Nld: citroenmelisse
Dan: citronmelisse, hjertensfryd
Deu: zitronen-melisse, zitronenmelisse
Por: chá-da-frança, chá-de-tabuleiro, cidreira, cidreira-verdadeira, cidrilha, erva-cidreira, erva-cidreira-verdadeira, erva-luísa, melissa, melissa-romana, melitéia
Spa: citraria, erva-cidreira, toronjil
Swe: citronmeliss, sitruunamelissa
Lav: citronmētra
Ces: medovka lekárska, meduňka lékařská
Fra: melisse, mélisse, mélisse officinale
Nob: sitronmelisse
Nno: sitronmelisse
Fin: sitruunamelissa
Cym: balm, bawm, gwenynddail, gwenynllys, gwenynllys cyffredin, gwenynlys, llysiau’r gwenyn
En: Balm, Beebalm, Melissa, Lemonbalm, Common balm, Lemon Balm, Bee herb, Garden balm, Sweet balm, Tea balm, Lemon-balm
Af: Sitroenkruid, Suurlemoenbalsem
Ar: ترنجان مخزني, تريجان, Hashisha al-namal, Hashisha an-namal, Rihan al-limun, Turijan, تُرِيجَان, حشيشة النمل, حَشِيشَة النَمَل, ريحان الليمون, رَيْحَان اللَيْمُون
Hy: Պատրինջ դեղատու
Az: Dərman limonotu
Ba: Мелисса
Eu: Garraiska
Be: Меліса лекавая, Мяліса лекавая
Bs: Matičnjak
Bg: Маточина
Ca: Cidrac, Tarongí, Tarongina, Melissa
Zh: Xiang feng hua, 香蜂草
Kw: Eli gwenen
Hr: Matičnjak
Cs: Meduňka lékařská, Medovka lekárska
Da: Citron-Melisse, Citronmelisse, Hjertensfryd
Nl: Citroenmelisse
Eo: Citronmeliso
Et: Sidrunmeliss
Fi: Sitruunamelissa
Fr: Mélisse officinale, Mélisse, Melisse, Citronelle, Baume, Grande Mélisse, Herbe citron
Gl: Melisa
Ka: Ბარამბო
De: Zitronenmelisse, Zitronen-Melisse, Melisse, Citronenmelisse, Herztrost
El: Μελισσόχορτο
He: מליסה רפואית
Hu: Citromfű
It: Cedronella, Citronella, Erba Limona, Melissa vera, Melissa
Kk: Därilik melïssa, Дәрілік мелисса, دارىلىك مەلىيسسا
Ko: 레몬밤
Lv: Ārstniecības melisa, Citronmētra
Lt: Vaistinė melisa
Lb: Meliss
Mk: Маточина
No: Sitronmelisse
Nb: Sitronmelisse
Nn: Sitronmelisse
Ps: ليمو ويلنی
Fa: بادرنجبویه
Pl: Miodownik, Pszczelnik, Rojownik, Melisa lekarska
Pt: Erva-cidreira, Chá-da-frança, Chá-de-tabuleiro, Cidreira, Cidreira-verdadeira, Cidrilha, Erva-cidreira-verdadeira, Erva-luísa, Melissa, Melissa-romana, Melitéia
Ro: Roiniță
Ru: Melissa lekarstvennaja, Мелисса лекарственная
Sr: Матичњак
Sk: Medovka lekárska
Es: Toronjil, Citraria, Navadna melisa, Erva-cidreira, Melisa, Balsamita maior
Sv: Citronmeliss, Sitruunamelissa
Tt: Милисә (үсемлек)
Th: สะระแหน่
Tr: Oğul otu
Uk: Меліса лікарська
Vi: Tía tô đất
Cy: Balm, Bawm, Gwenynddail, Gwenynllys, Gwenynllys Cyffredin, Gwenynlys, Llysiau’r Gwenyn

Synonyms

• Thymus melissa (E.H.L.Krause)
• Faucibarba officinalis ((L.) Dulac)
• Mutelia officinalis ((L.) Gren. ex Mutel)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Awkwald Harold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2018 by Xavier LAGURGUE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2018 by donpatrice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2019 by Anna Cenedese (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by annie pouchin (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jun 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2019 by bernard fabier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by Day Kat (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 4, 2021 by willi brun (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 1907 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2020 by kimleyson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 31, 2019 by eric delugin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Christian Michel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2019 by Emily Moore (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2019 by Karlheinz Roch (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Feya Sterling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2020 by Béatrice Escande (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2020 by Kerstin Kerstin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Pollame (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2021 by Kaushal Gunasekara (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341501)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:450084-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melissa officinalis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 5