Lemon balm
Lemon balm or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a species of plant from the genus Melissa within the labiates family (Lamiaceae). It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region. The foliage leaves (Melissae folium) are used as a pharmaceutical drug. It was named the medicinal plant of the year in 1988.
Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant that can live 25 to 30 years and reaches growth heights of 20 to 90, rarely 120 centimeters. It forms a rhizome from which short underground runners depart. It smells more or less strongly of lemons.
The pubescence is usually sparse, the plants can also be almost leafless. The independently erect to ascending stems are branched and covered with 0.5 millimeter long glandular hairs and 1 to 2 millimeters long, protruding glandless hairs. The opposite stem leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters long. The simple leaf blade is broad-ovate to rhombic or oblong with a truncate or wedge-shaped blade base and blunt or shortly pointed upper end, with a length of 2 to 6, rarely 9 centimeters and a width of 1.5 to 5, rarely 7 centimeters. The leaf margin is coarsely and fairly regularly notched.
Ingredients of lemon balm
Melissa leaves contain 4 to 7 % hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, mainly rosmarinic acid (the so-called labiate tannins), but also chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and essential oil is present from 0.05 to 0.3 %, in cultivated varieties up to 0.8 %. The main components are citral (with 40 to 70%, as a mixture of geranial and neral), citronellal (1 to 20%) and β-caryophyllene (5 to 15%). Other constituents include linalool, geraniol, caryophyllene epoxide, germacrene D, methylcitronellal, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, geranyl acetate, α-copaene, and nerol. The composition of the essential oil depends on the origin and climatic conditions, the time of harvest and the age of the plant. Furthermore, bitter substances, resin, mucilage, glycosides, saponins and thymol are contained. The vitamin C content of the fresh plant per 100 grams of fresh weight is 253.0 milligrams.
Use
Lemon balm is grown as a spice or medicinal plant and bee pasture. The leaves are used as a kitchen spice. Extracts from the leaves are processed into herbal liqueurs. Lemon balm is used to flavor cold drinks, salads and sauces, and compotes. Tea and wine can be made from it. Lemon balm tea is said to have a calming effect and aid digestion. Lemon balm is most aromatic before flowering.
The leaves (Melissae folium) are used as the drug. The traditional use is to support stomach function and for nervous stress. Preparations such as tea infusions, liquid or dry extracts of lemon balm have a calming and antispasmodic effect. They are used for sleep disorders and gastrointestinal complaints. They are often used in tea mixtures with other sedative drugs. Baths are used for inflammation of the skin and genital organs, and also as relaxing baths. Other uses include bilious disorders and hypertonic dyskinesia.[6]
Due to the content of phenolic carboxylic acid derivatives, especially rosmarinic acid, lemon balm leaves have antimicrobial and antiviral activity. This is used in ointments for the treatment of herpes simplex.[6] In folk medicine, lemon balm is also used against colds and circulatory problems.[6] In commerce, pure lemon balm oil is rarely available due to its high price (around 6000 euros per kg), mostly substitute oils such as citronella oil, lemongrass oil or adulterants (Indian lemon balm oil).[7]
Bluenesse®
Lemon balm is one of the oldest medicinal plants in Europe. Recent studies have shown that lemon balm has more health-promoting properties than traditionally known. This is where the story of Bluenesse® begins, a specialty lemon balm extract that has innovative, positive effects on maintaining and enhancing mental abilities, as well as reducing the long-term negative health effects caused by stress.
Bluenesse® uniquely combines calming traditional effects and innovative attention-enhancing effects, thereby promoting the ability to act in a focused and structured manner even in stressful situations.
The production combines traditional knowledge with innovative technologies and has resulted in a Melissa special extract, which is marketed under the brand name Bluenesse®. The positive properties of lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, on stress and mental performance enhancement have been scientifically studied and proven with human studies. Bluenesse® is used both as an ingredient for food and dietary supplements and as a traditional medicine.
In which product does Burgerstein use lemon balm extract?
Almost everyone knows that little low from which you can't really get out. When the motivation for everything is missing, you only function and would prefer to hole up.
In these times we would like to support you with Burgerstein Mood!
Burgerstein Mood contains:
- Saffron and lemon balm extract from controlled cultivation
- as well as selected micronutrients
for a positive attitude towards life and inner balance.
