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Melissa officinalis

Melissa officinalis

Other names: Meduňka citronová, Citronová melisa, Melisa, Včelanka, Matečník

Lemon-scented leaves; a beloved tea herb.

A hardy perennial with opposite leaves.

Family
Lamiaceae
Plant type
Perennial herb
Safety level (indicative)
Generally recognised as safe
What the safety levels mean (expand legend)
  • Generally recognised as safe. Often a common herb with reasonable harvest and use; still read the specific warnings on the card.
  • Information. Primarily informational — details in the text and warnings below matter most.
  • Caution. Needs extra care (dose, duration, sensitive groups, interactions).
  • Risky. Significant risks — verify sources, contraindications and professional guidance.
  • Not for home experimentation. Not suitable to experiment with at home without knowledge and certainty.
  • High risk for internal use. Particular risk with internal use (e.g. alkaloids); avoid prolonged or irresponsible dosing.
  • Not specified. Level not filled in yet — rely on individual warnings and links below.
Meduňka lékařská — habitus (botanická ilustrace).

Ilustrace z díla Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (1897), veřejná doména.

Plant habit

Quick overview

A practical summary; details are in the sections below.

Safety grade
Generally recognised as safe·details
Scientific sources on the card
Yes — sources are listed with claims·Science section
When and what to harvest
  • Leaf — May–September
Full harvest section
Processing methods

Herbal infusion (tea), Honey macerate, Syrup, Glycerite and more

All methods and recipes on the card
Topics and symptoms

Anxiety & inner restlessness, Bloating & gas, Body cleansing (folk framing)…

Topics section · Symptoms overview

Identification and mix-ups

Opposite leaves with tiny glandular hairs.

Possible mix-ups and risks

May be mistaken for related dead-nettles when gathering carelessly.

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Topics and symptoms

More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.

Geographic occurrence

  • Czechia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Austria

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Germany

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Hungary

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Poland

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Slovakia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • France

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Japan

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Morocco

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Canada

    Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)

  • Australia

    Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)

  • South Africa

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

Harvest

  • LeafMay–September

    léto

    Region: Czechia

    Notes: Aerial parts / leaf before full flowering.

Storage

  • Drying(Leaf)

    Sušený rostlinný materiál uchovávej v uzavřené nádobě.

    Light:
    Mimo přímé UV.
    Moisture:
    Nízká relativní vlhkost.

Processing methods on this herb card

  • Herbal infusion (tea)(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Infusion or brief extraction in hot water; usually without long boiling.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    In the narrow sense, “tea” often means an infusion: you pour water just off the boil over the dried plant matter and let it steep for a few minutes. Temperature, steep time, and the herb-to-water ratio change both flavour and what dissolves into the liquid.

    Compared with a decoction, heat exposure is shorter and gentler; tender leaves and flowers are often better as an infusion than with prolonged simmering. For each herb, always follow the plant card for suitable plant part, preparation, and safety notes — general rules never replace species-level judgement.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Lemon balm leaf tea

    About 12 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    Extraction parameters (rough guide): 250 ml water · 80–95 °C · 8–12 min steep

    1. Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm or a handful of chopped fresh leaves to a cup.
    2. Pour about 250 ml of water just off the boil, then cover.
    3. Steep 8–12 minutes and strain. Drink lukewarm to cool — often in the evening for relaxation.

    Not a substitute for professional care for anxiety or for treatment with prescribed medicines.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    EMA HMPC monographs on lemon balm leaf describe traditional use and safety in herbal preparations; a home infusion does not have a standardized concentration or the same indications as approved extracts. Shorter steeping and water just below boiling often preserve more of the lemon-scented volatile oils than a long boil.

    What is typically released
    Silice a flavonoidy v horké vodě; delší louhování zvyšuje hořkost.
    Solvent / water
    Měkká pitná voda.
    After preparation
    Vychladlý nálev spotřebuj do 12 hodin v lednici.

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Honey macerate(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Macerating plant material in honey (a honey conserve).

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    Honey as a maceration medium creates a viscous mixture with its own biochemistry: water activity, acidity, and enzymes influence shelf life and flavour. Traditionally it is used with delicate flowers or herbs when you want aroma bound into honey.

    Infant botulism guidance for honey and honey safety in general sit outside a single herb page; maceration time, ratios, and storage must follow a vetted recipe and source, not this general overview alone.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Lemon balm honey

    About 30 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Layer dried or finely chopped fresh lemon balm with runny honey in a clean jar (about 1 : 2 herb to honey by mass).
    2. Press gently so honey surrounds the leaves, then close the lid.
    3. Macerate 2–3 weeks in a warm shady spot, strain through cloth, and store sealed.

    Maceration takes weeks; if you have diabetes, dilute honey or omit.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Syrup(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Decoction or infusion with sweetener and reduction; shelf life depends on sugar and storage.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    Syrups combine a herbal base with sugar or honey and often a short boil to concentrate and improve hygiene. Preservation depends strongly on water content, sugar level, and bottling practice.

    Home syrups may fall under food rules; store in the fridge after opening per recipe.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Lemon balm syrup

    About 40 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Steep 3 tsp dried leaf in 400 ml boiling water under a lid for 15 minutes, then strain.
    2. Stir in honey or dissolve sugar with gentle warming.
    3. Store refrigerated and dilute in water — often an evening drink.

    Sweet syrup — use caution with diabetes.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Glycerite(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Extraction in vegetable glycerol (often with some water); alcohol-free.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    A glycerite uses viscous glycerol as part of the solvent. The extracted profile differs from an ethanol tincture and from plain water; home preparation needs accurate ratios, cleanliness, and some sense of mixture stability.

    Legality and safety depend on country and intended use; this overview is not a recipe or a product assessment for a specific herb.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: yes

    Procedure (recipe)

    Lemon balm glycerite

    About 45 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Fill a jar about one third with dried leaf and cover with a mix of vegetable glycerine and boiled water (about 3 : 1).
    2. Macerate 3–4 weeks with occasional shaking, strain into a dropper bottle; store cool.

    Alcohol-free alternative to tincture — different extract profile.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Tincture(Leaf)Suitability: High suitability

    Alcoholic or alcohol–water maceration extract.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    A tincture is usually a long maceration of plant material in ethanol (sometimes with water). Alcohol and time release different compound groups than hot water alone; concentration and stability depend on the herb-to-solvent ratio and procedure.

    Home production involves legal and safety limits that vary by country; this site gives a general overview, not a recipe. For each herb, read the card for interactions and warnings before preparing anything yourself.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Lemon balm tincture

    About 35 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Fill a jar about one third with dried leaf and 40–50 % alcohol — plant must stay submerged.
    2. Macerate 3–4 weeks in the dark, shake occasionally, strain into a dropper bottle.

    Alcohol and medicines — check interactions; not before driving if you are sensitive.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

Traditional / spiritual use

Kept separate from science — entries are cultural or symbolic, not medical advice.

Related guides in the library

  • Evening tea and garden freshness

    General

    Traditional useFolk useHerbal lore

    Lemon balm was associated in households with an evening cup and with the scent of lemon-scented foliage in the garden. Calm and freshness here belong to atmosphere rather than to a specific medicinal claim.

    Form:
    čaj, čerstvá nať
    Claim strength:
    Tradition
    Source note:
    Folk custom and garden tradition — not a clinical indication.

Scientific notes

Each claim lists a study type and a source (URL or DOI) where available. Dose notes from the literature are informational only.

How to read evidence strength and study type labels

Labels summarise how the catalogue entry is tagged — they are not a medical verdict on efficacy. For every row, read the summary, limitations and source link.

Evidence strength

Evidence level not specified
The author did not grade the record; judge from the summary, limitations and source link.
Narrative / orientational literature
Descriptive or expert literature without controlled group comparison — context rather than proof of effect.
Weak evidence
Study or conclusion with major methodological limits; treat only as a pointer for further reading.
Preliminary findings
First or smaller studies — interesting direction, not the final word on efficacy or safety.
Moderate strength of evidence
Moderate strength by study design; sample and context limits still apply.
Stronger evidence
Stronger design or consistency of results within the study’s stated limits.
Review article
A review summarises multiple sources; quality depends on review method and field.

Study type

Narrative / expert text
Expert text or overview without a classical study design.
In vitro study
Cell culture or test-tube experiment — does not show an effect in the body.
Animal study
Animal model — transfer to humans is not automatic.
Observational study
Observing groups without random treatment assignment; confounding is possible.
Clinical trial
Human clinical trial; sample size and control group matter.
Randomised controlled trial
Randomised controlled trials are among the stronger designs when well conducted.
Review study
A review aggregates multiple papers — quality depends on selection rules.
Systematic review
Systematic review with explicit search and selection methodology.
Meta-analysis
Statistical pooling of studies; outcome depends on input data and heterogeneity.
Regulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)
Regulatory body summary for a herbal product — different context from a single RCT; often about products, not home tea.
Expert monograph (herbal preparations)
Structured literature summary for a plant or drug — quality depends on author and edition year.

  • For lemon balm, the literature often discusses aromatic terpenes in leaves and traditional use of infusions; evidence quality for specific health claims varies in reviews and needs critical reading.

    Evidence level not specifiedNarrative / expert text

    Limitations: This is a catalog overview — add targeted systematic reviews or studies for this taxon (e.g. PubMed, Cochrane).

    Vstup do odborné literatury (orientační)

  • The EMA HMPC summarizes traditional use and safety of lemon balm leaf in herbal preparations; the summary applies to regulated products, not to an ad hoc home tea.

    Review articleRegulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)Year: 2015

    Preparation form in the study: infusion (aqueous)

    Active compound / focus: kyselina rosmarinová, flavonoidy, silice (citronel, geraniol aj.)

    Limitations: This is a European regulatory overview; translating it to a specific cup depends on material, ratio, and steeping time.

    Dose note (from literature): Dosing in the document describes approved preparations; do not read a home infusion as identical.

    EMA Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — European Medicines Agency

    EMA: Assessment report on Melissa officinalis L., folium

Images

The main photo is in the card header. More images will appear here when available.

Safety

What the warning types mean

The type on each warning helps group themes — it does not replace the separate severity badge.

Internal use
Risks from swallowing, extracts, duration of use or concentration for internal use.
Interactions / medicines
Possible effect on medicines or concurrent treatment — check sources and a professional.
Raw plant parts
Raw, unripe or poorly prepared plant parts can be dangerous.
Toxins and regulation
Toxic constituents or regulated compounds (e.g. in distillates).
Contact with the plant
Skin or mucosa irritation from contact with fresh plant or sap.
Allergy
Allergic reactions, often linked to family sensitisation.
Harvesting and contamination
Contamination, species mix-ups or harvesting from unsuitable places.

No structured safety records yet.