This perennial in the mint family is native to mountainous areas of southern Europe and northern Africa but has naturalized in almost in every warm or temperate area around the globe. The bright green, crinkled leaves have a fragrant lemon-like odor.
Does lemon balm have a scent?
Lemon balm has a distinctive lemon aroma and contains flavonoids such as rosemarinic acid, ferulic acid, apigenin, and isoquercitrin. Lemon balm can be taken internally as a tea, tincture or extract. It can be juiced, and the uplifting fragrance easily expressed from the fresh leaf.
What does lemon balm smell like?
The green leaves of lemon balm have the scent of lemon with a hint of mint, with leaves that look like oversized mint — no surprise, since lemon balm is part of the mint family.
Is lemon balm aromatic?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) belongs to the family Labiatae (Mint family) is an aromatic and fairly hardy perennial sub-shrub. It is a cross-pollinating species and has complete perfect flowers with very short-stalked epidermal glands.
Does lemon balm plant smell like lemon?
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
One of the most popular lemon-scented herbs, the lemon balm plant smells like lemon and mint and is a lemony herb in the mint family.
Who should not use lemon balm?
Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.
What does lemon balm attract?
When lemon balm flowers, it brings in bees and butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. (Check out other plants I recommend to attract pollinators here.)
Is lemon balm the same as citronella?
Lemon Balm is a herb that is praised by many for its mosquito and other insect repelling abilities! Some refer to this plant as Citronella Balm.
Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?
Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.
Does lemon balm smell like citronella?
Lemon balm is an edible herb in the mint family. It smells like citronella. Lemon Balm: The leaves have the scent of lemon with a hint of mint. The aroma repels mosquitoes.
What does lemon balm oil smell like?
As for the scent, the oil has a lovely lemony smell, sometimes described as grassy. It is enjoyed for its sweet and calming aroma. It is in the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
What can I use lemon balm for?
10 Benefits of Lemon Balm and How to Use It
- Stress.
- Anxiety.
- Cognitive function.
- Insomnia.
- Cold sores.
- Indigestion.
- Nausea.
- Menstrual cramps.
Is lemon balm invasive?
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and spreads just like mint and become very invasive.
Does lemon balm attract pests?
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Among the insects attracted to lemon balm are tachinid flies, hoverflies and parasitic wasps. It is also said to repel mosquitos if you rub it on your skin. Lemon balm can work as a pest repellant.
What tree smells like VapoRub?
Did you know that the stuff in Vicks VapoRub comes from a cinnamon tree? The roots actually smell like Vicks!
What plants give off lemon scent?
Lemon-scented Plants
- Lemon verbena is a tender deciduous woody shrub.
- Lemongrass grown as an annual herb in a Wisconsin vegetable garden.
- Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family.
- Lemon basil has small leaves.
- Foliage of Pelargonium citronellum (L) and flower of P.
- Lemon thyme.
What does lemon balm do to the brain?
Lemon balm significantly reduces excitatory transmission in the brain by inhibiting an enzyme called GABA-T that breaks down GABA, thus increasing the amount of GABA available in the brain.
Is lemon balm hard on the liver?
Lemon Balm and Its Constituent, Rosmarinic Acid, Alleviate Liver Damage in an Animal Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Nutrients.
What does lemon balm deter?
Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats. Commonly grown as ornamental border plants, marigolds are hardy annual plants which have a distinctive smell which mosquitoes, and some other insects, find particularly offensive. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, a compound used in many insect repellents.
Do spiders like lemon balm?
Lemon Balm
It has a strong smell, one you’ll enjoy, but two particular pests don’t like it: spiders and fruit flies. This can create an absence of not only spiders but one of their prey, removing an incentive for them being indoors anyways. It’s easy to grow.
Does lemon balm attract ants?
Lemon Balm
This member of the mint family emits a clean lemon scent. Mosquitoes don’t like it. Neither do flies and ants.