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Lemon balm
CautionZitronenmelisse · (Melissa officinalis)
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Description
Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family. It has lemon-scented leaves, white or pale pink flowers, and contains essential oils and compounds like geranial and neral. It grows to a maximum height of 1 m.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Per EMA, not for children under 12 years.
- TeaLeafInternalTraditional use
Classic calming tea — relieves mild stress symptoms, inner restlessness, and aids sleep. Folk medicine rightly calls lemon balm the nerve herb.
Preparation & dosage
INFUSION: Pour 150 ml boiling water over 1.5–4.5 g dried lemon balm leaves, cover, steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink one cup 1–3 times a day; for inner restlessness or trouble falling asleep, drink the last cup about 30 minutes before bedtime. Covering while steeping is important so the essential oil does not evaporate.
- Dry amount
- 1.5–4.5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards.
- TeaLeafInternalTraditional use
Tea for mild gastrointestinal complaints with a nervous component.
Preparation & dosage
INFUSION: Pour 150 ml boiling water over 1.5–4.5 g dried lemon balm leaves, cover, steep for 10 minutes, strain. Drink one cup 1–3 times a day between or after meals. Helps with bloating, fullness, and nervously irritated stomach.
- Dry amount
- 1.5–4.5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only for adults and adolescents from 12 years onwards.
- TinctureLeafInternalTraditional use
Concentrated form for travel use — acts quickly to calm inner tension.
Preparation & dosage
TINCTURE (1:5 in 45 % ethanol per EMA): 2–6 ml single dose, up to 3 times daily. Drop into a little water or onto a teaspoon of honey. Due to alcohol, not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, people with liver disease.
- Liquid amount
- 2–6 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Alcohol-containing tinctures only for adults from 18 years.
- BathLeafExternalFolk medicine
Relaxing evening bath in folk medicine — no EMA-listed indication, but traditionally popular.
Preparation & dosage
LEMON BALM BATH ADDITIVE: Briefly bring 50–100 g of dried lemon balm leaves to a boil in 2 litres of water, cover and steep for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm full bath (around 37 °C). Bathe for 15–20 minutes, pat dry gently afterwards.
- Dry amount
- 50–100 g
- Doses per day
- 1×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- partial shade
- 💧 Water
- every few days
- 🌱 Soil
- Standard herb compost
- 🪴 Pot
- 20 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★☆☆ beginner
- 🐾 Pets
- pet-safe
Tips:
- Partial shade ideal — full sun yellows leaves.
- Aroma strongest before flowering.
- In pot only 2-3 years — then divide or re-sow.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as: