- Botanical Name:
- Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).
- Some studies also reveal lemon balm's antiviral activity. The researchers found that lemon balm inhibited the in vitro growth of the viruses that cause herpes simplex, influenza, and myxoviruses.
