Also known as Sweet Balm and Sweet Melissa, this member of the mint family is found in abundance in mountainous regions of Europe and is now naturalized elsewhere. The common name for this herb stems from the word “balsam” in reference to its sweet aroma. Its genus name (Melissa), which means “bee,” alludes to the fact that bees flock to its flowers. Because the leaf of the plant has a very strong lemony odor and flavor, it is harvested as a salad herb and vegetable. Dried lemon balm herb is used in herbal tea blends and to flavor wines, vinegars, breads, sauces and other foods.
