Melissa officinalis
Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm, is a perennial herb celebrated for its refreshing citrus aroma and calming properties. Belonging to the mint family, it has been used since ancient times to alleviate anxiety, improve sleep, and aid digestion, making it a staple in traditional herbal medicine today.
- Scientific name: Melissa officinalis
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified 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 |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in Denmark and Sweden. It is also frequently found throughout the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Central Europe, the species can be located within the borders of Austria. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse temperate environments.
| 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 |
Chemicals
Melissa officinalis has 103 reported phytochemicals identified across 174 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, flavonoids, Fe, citronellal.
- Total chemicals
- 103
- Scientific sources
- 174
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rosmarinic acid | 20 | ★★★★★ |
| caffeic acid | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Fe | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| citronellal | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| neral | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Rosmarinic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Melissa officinalis has 30 reported activities identified across 59 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Antispasmodic, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 30
- Scientific sources
- 59
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypnotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spasmolytic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Melissa officinalis has 98 reported medicinal uses identified across 130 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, depression, insomnia, type 2 diabetes.
- Total uses
- 98
- Scientific sources
- 130
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anxiety | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| depression | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| insomnia | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dementia | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| irritable bowel syndrome | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anxiety disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |