LEMON BALM

MELISSA OFFICINALIS

Perennial herbaceous plant native to Southern Europe and West Asia. Lemon plant is naturalized in every Italian region, in the plain up to 1000 metres in height. It has erect or ascending branching stems, up to 80 cm in height. Its leaves are opposite, ovate-elliptical and crenate at edge. Its flowers are united in axillary cymes (verticillasters), pale yellow and white pinkish coloured.
Lemon balm reproduces by apical cutting or by planting pieces of eradicated stolon (branch). You can plant it in vase or in soil.
Leaves are picked up before flowering; they can be used fresh or dried in a shady and ventilated place. Keep them away from light and dry areas. Lemon balm leaves with their characteristic lemon fragrance are employed to add flavour to frittata plates, salads, fish, jams, fruit salads. Lemon balm is often used to prepare liqueurs.
Health benefits: digestive, antispasmodic, sedative. For external use, it acts as a soothing agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.