Scientific Name - Melissa officinalis

Properties - Mild sedative, antibacterial, antiviral

Common Uses - Use fresh leaves in cooking, or dried in tea.

Parts Used - Leaves, stems

Locating & Handling - Lemon Balm leaves are available as tea in grocery or health food stores, often in combination with other herbs, such as mint. You can obtain small plants at a local nursery and grow them as potted plants, or outdoors. Add chopped fresh leaves to salads, meats, and vegetables for a mild lemony flavor.

Caution - None

Origin - Native to Europe and Africa.