Lemon Balm Leaf

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented herb in the mint family traditionally used in culinary and herbal practices for centuries. The dried leaf powder is finely milled for easy use in teas, beverages, and recipes. Lemon balm is commonly enjoyed for its mild, pleasant flavor and aromatic qualities. This herb has a long history of use in traditional wellness systems and is suitable for both internal preparations and external applications when used as directed.

UPC: 084783011033.

Origin(s): Bulgaria, Ecuador, United States.

Latin Name(s): Melissa officinalis.

Also known as: Melissa, Sweet Balm, Balm mint, bee balm, blue balm.

Plant Part(s) Used: Leaf.

Herbs exhibit natural variations in their size, color, smell, and taste, with each batch and harvest showing differences influenced by environmental conditions and genetics.

Appearance: Pale green.

Aroma: Leafy, citrus.

Taste: Leafy, citrus.

GMO Status: Non-GMO.

Allergen: None.

Additives: Free of any additives or preservatives.

Applications / Preparations: Can be put into capsules, teas, soups, stews, rice, vegetables, salads, chicken, fish essential oil or infused as an herbal extract. For cosmetic use can be infused in oil for soaps, creams, lotions & ointments. For aromatic use can be put in potpourri mixtures, sachets & herbal pillows. For household use can be infused to make natural household cleaners.

Internal use: Adults may take 1 teaspoon (2 g) up to three times daily.

Capsules: For encapsulation, follow capsule machine manufacturer instructions; 1 teaspoon ≈ 2 g (adjust by herb density).

Beverages/Foods: Mix 1 teaspoon (2 g) into juice, water, smoothies or food up tp three times daily. Stir well before consuming.

Tea/Decoction: Add 1 teaspoon (approx. 2 g) of Powder to 8–12 fl oz (240–300 ml) of water. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 5–11 minutes. Strain before drinking.

External use: Powder may be used in poultices, salves, infused oils, baths, and personal care formulations. Because external uses vary widely, customers should research reliable sources for preparation and usage methods.

Storage: Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.

Shelf Life: It is very difficult to pin down an exact expiration date for most single herbs as they do not really expire, they lose potency or strength over time but will still have value. Unlike synthetic material or drugs, herbs can contain many constituents that contribute to their medicinal effects. Even if when we know what the active constituents are, there are often many of them in a single herb, each with different rates of degradation. Some herbs lose their effect more easily. Other herbs that possess more stable compounds such as alkaloids or steroids will last much longer.

A huge part of the degradation rate of herbs depends also on the storage conditions of the herb, & even on the quality of the herb before storage – how it was grown, harvested, dried & processed. If the product is left in hot places or open to sunlight then it will degrade much quicker than if it was stored in cool, dry place & sealed tightly.

A good rule of thumb is that herbs should be stored no longer than 2-3 years, but many herbs will have great strength much longer than that. To determine if an herb is still good you can check the appearance & aroma. Herbs that are no longer acceptable will have lost much of its vibrant color & will instead appear dull & faded. The bigger key though is to smell the raw materials to see if the potent aroma is still present. 

Warning: No known precautions. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.