Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis
Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm, is a perennial herb cherished for its refreshing citrus scent. Belonging to the mint family, this versatile plant has been used throughout history in traditional medicine to alleviate anxiety, improve sleep quality, and support digestive health through its calming properties.
- Scientific name: Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, this specific subspecies is categorized under the genus Melissa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Melissa | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis, is recognized by a variety of common names across different languages. In English, it is most widely referred to as lemon balm, while in German, it is called Zitronenmelisse. Its common names in other languages include melissa in French, melissa in Italian, melisa in Spanish, and melissa in Portuguese.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. Its presence also extends further north into the country of Sweden. Additionally, the species is documented within the borders of Middle Europe. Specifically, it is known to inhabit the landscape of Austria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as lemon balm, derives its primary medicinal properties and distinctive lemon-like aroma from its fragrant leaves. These leaves are characterized by their bright green color, ovate shape, and serrated edges, often featuring a slightly wrinkled texture. When crushed or steeped, the essential oils contained within the leaf tissue release therapeutic compounds that are widely utilized in herbal remedies to promote relaxation and digestive health.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Luteolin 3'-O-beta-D-glucuronide, Luteolin 3'-glucuronide, rosmarinic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Luteolin 3'-O-beta-D-glucuronide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Luteolin 3'-glucuronide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |