Balm

At a glance

Origin / distribution: US, Turkey, Panama, Iraq, ", Europe, Hungary, Spain

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Ache(Head), Anodyne, Calmative, Carminative

Science studied: BETA-BOURBONENE, DELTA-CADINENE, GAMMA-CADINENE, CATECHINS

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Lamiaceae

Scientific name: Melissa officinalis

Common names: Balm, Lemonbalm, Melissa, Bee Balm, Abeyeira, Bawm, Beebalm, Citroenmelisse, Citronmelisse, Common Balm, Common balm, Garraiska, Gwenynddail, Gwenynllys, Gwenynllys Cyffredin, Gwenynlys

POWO: 450084-1 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in US, Turkey, Panama, Iraq, ", Europe, Elsewhere, Hungary and 1 additional place.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Ache(Head)
• Anodyne
• Calmative
• Carminative
• Cosmetic
• Digestive
• Lactogogue
• Nervine

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• US
• Turkey
• Panama
• Iraq
• "
• Europe
• Elsewhere
• Hungary
• Spain

Documented cultural uses

• Ache(Head)
• Anodyne
• Calmative
• Carminative
• Cosmetic
• Digestive
• Lactogogue
• Nervine
• Perfume
• Sclerosis(Liver)
• Sedative
• Spasm

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Ache(Head) · US · "
• Anodyne · Turkey · "
• Calmative · Panama · "
• Carminative · Panama · "
• Cosmetic · Iraq · "
• Digestive · Turkey · "
• Lactogogue · Turkey · "
• Nervine · Panama · "
• Nervine · Turkey · "
• Perfume · " · "
• Sclerosis(Liver) · Europe · "
• Sedative · Elsewhere · "
• Spasm · Panama · "
• Spasm · Turkey · "
• Sternutatory · Turkey · "
• Sudorific · Turkey · "
• Tonic · Turkey · "
• Ache(Tooth) · Europe · "
• Tumor · Hungary · "
• Viricide · Panama · "
• Digestive · Panama · "
• Antiseptic · Turkey · "
• Carminative · Turkey · "
• Cordial · Turkey · "

7 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Melissa officinalis extract selectively suppresses STAT1 signaling in oral epithelial cells. · 2026 source ↗
• Iron Nitrates Stimulate Phenolic Compound Production by <i>Melissa officinalis</i> L. · 2026 source ↗
• Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from <i>Melissa officinalis</i> Flower: Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Photocatalytic Activity. · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• BETA-BOURBONENE
• DELTA-CADINENE
• GAMMA-CADINENE
• CATECHINS
• CHLOROGENIC-ACID
• CITRONELLAL
• COPAENE
• EO
• EUGENYL-ACETATE
• GERANIOL
• CIS-3-HEXEN-1-OL
• ALPHA-HUMULENE
• ISOGERANIAL
• LUTEOLIN-7-GLUCOSIDE
• METHYL-HEPTENONE
• NERAL

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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