Melissa 'Lemon Balm' is a perennial herbaceous plant growing 40 to 100 cm tall, possessing a bright lemon aroma that intensifies when rubbing the leaves. The leaves are oval, light green, and the flowers are small and pale yellow or white. The plant prefers clay and loam soils with sufficient moisture, reaching a height of up to 30 cm and a width of up to 45 cm.
Lemon Balm is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It helps with colds, improves digestion, and acts as a mild antidepressant, reducing anxiety and promoting better sleep. Leaves are harvested before the flowers bloom, dried at 40 °C, and can then be used fresh or dried.
To make tea, take 1–2 teaspoons of herb, pour one cup of boiling water, and steep for 10 minutes. Drink the tea moderately warm, 1–2 cups per day. Food supplements based on melissa often contain lemon-scented essential oil, ascorbic acid, tannins, vitamins, and trace elements, making the product beneficial for high anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and respiratory inflammation.
