Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is an important medicinal plant in herbal medicine. The main constituent of the essential oil of the plant is citral (geranial and neral), citronellal and geraniol. Lemon balm has been traditionally used for different medical purposes as tonic, antispasmodic, carmiative, diaphoretic, surgical dressing for wounds, sedative-hypnotic strengthening the memory and headache. Lemon balm is also used as flavouring in ice cream and herbal teas, often in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. It is also frequently paired with fruit dishes or candies. Lemon balm is also known as a hormonal herb due to its antithyroid activity. The present review is an effort to give the detailed survey of literature on its medicinal properties and cultivation practices of the plant under study.
