Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

Botanische kenmerken

Perennial, 40–80 cm. Fresh, slightly oval leaves with a pronounced lemon scent. Small white flowers beloved by bees.

Herkomst

Eastern Mediterranean and Western Asia; now naturalised as far as Scandinavia.

Traditioneel gebruik

Named after the Greek melissa (bee) — the plant is one of the classical bee draws.

Interessante weetjes

Monasteries cultivated melissa for the famous 'Eau des Carmes' — a seventeenth-century aromatic water.

Ingrediëntprofiel

Voor de botanische referentie — familie, plantdeel, karakter en bronvermelding — zie .