Herb Of The Week - Lemon Balm (Melissa)

[Guest guest]

I had to trim my happily growing Lemon Balm this weekend, and I decided

to make it the herb of the week this week (July 19 - 25)

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-126.html

 

 

 

Lemon Balm

 

 

Revised 5/97 -- Author Reviewed 5/97 HIL-126

 

 

Jeanine M. Davis

Extension Horticultural Specialist

Department of HorticulturalScience

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

North Carolina State University

 

 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a lemon scented member of the

mint family. A native to southern Europe, it is a perennial which will

over-winter in hardiness zones 4 to 5. The plant develops many branches

and grows to a height of about two feet. The leaves are 2 to 3 inches

long, oval to almost heart shaped, shiny and wrinkled with scalloped

edges. Small light blue to white flowers appear in late spring through

midsummer.

 

 

Planting - Lemon balm is easy to grow from seed sown in the spring or

early fall. The seed is very small and should be covered with only a

fine layer of soil. Cuttings and root divisions, however, are faster and

easier ways to establish lemon balm. Stem cuttings can be made from the

vigorous summer growth or the roots can be divided in the spring or

fall. Root cuttings should contain three to four buds each. In the fall,

plant root cuttings early enough for the plants to become established

before the first frost and mulch for the winter. Suggested spacing is 12

to 24 inches apart in the row and 24 inches, or whatever distance is

practical for cultivation, between the rows. Close spacing of rows and

individual plants will result in the highest yields. When choosing a

site, keep in mind that lemon balm self-sows freely, spreads rapidly and

can quickly become a weed.

 

 

Lemon balm grows best in fertile, moist soil with a pH of 5 to 7.5. It

prefers a cool, partially shaded habitat but will grow in full sun.

Plants grown in shade, however, tend to be larger and more succulent

than those grown in direct sunlight. In regions where the ground

freezes, the crowns should be mulched for the winter.

 

 

Fertilization - Although specific recommendations are not available for

fertilization of lemon balm, for mint production 80 to 100 pounds of

nitrogen, 100 pounds of phosphorus and 400 pounds of potash per acre are

often recommended. Yield and oil content may be increased by

sidedressing with nitrogen several times during the growing season.

 

 

Irrigation - Provide a regular supply of water through drip or overhead

irrigation.

 

 

Weed Control - Currently, there are no herbicides cleared for use on

lemon balm in North Carolina. Weed control is important, however,

because the presence of weeds in the dried product will reduce quality

and, consequently, price. Shallow cultivation and the use of plastic or

organic mulches are recommended.

 

 

Disease and Insect Control - There are no pesticides registered for

lemon balm in North Carolina. Prevention of disease through good

cultural practices is the most effective means for healthy crop

production. To reduce the incidence of soil borne diseases, rotate

plantings of lemon balm to soils that have not been used for cultivation

of another member of the mint family for several years. To prevent

foliar diseases, keep foliage as dry as possible by watering early in

the day or by using drip irrigation. Insects are not usually a problem

on lemon balm. If populations become unacceptably high, however, various

organic controls such as beneficial insects, traps, mild soap solutions

and hand-picking, can be tried. Before spraying any homemade insecticide

solution on a crop, test for adverse effects to the foliage by spraying

a small area first and observing for a day or two.

 

 

Harvest and Handling - Lemon balm can be harvested for fresh sales once

or twice a week. Frequent trimming encourages branching and will result

in a bushy, compact plant. For a dried product, harvest at least twice a

season just as the plant comes into bloom. For large scale operations,

foliage can be cut with a side-bar cutter. An acre may produce 1000

pounds or more of dried herb. Be careful not to bruise the leaves during

the harvest and drying operations as quality will be reduced. Although

lemon balm dries quickly and easily it will not be as fragrant dried as

fresh. It can be dried outside in partial shade but will brown quickly

if there is any night moisture. Plants may also be hung in bunches and

air dried in a shed or barn or oven dried on screens. When dry, store in

tightly closed containers. If hung to dry in bunches, lemon balm can be

rapidly processed by rubbing each bundle across a half-inch mesh screen

to crumble the leaves.

 

 

Uses - Lemon balm, with its delicate lemon scent and flavor, is valued

as a culinary, cosmetic and medicinal herb. Fresh sprigs are used to top

drinks and as garnishes on salads and main dishes. Fresh or dried leaves

make a refreshing tea, either iced or hot. Dried leaves are used as an

ingredient in many pot-pourris and the oil is used in perfume. Used

throughout history as a medicinal herb, lemon balm has mild sedative

properties and has been used to relieve gas, reduce fever, and increase

perspiration. The volatile oil contains citral, citronellal, eugenol

acetate and geraniol. Both oil and hot water extracts of the leaves have

been shown to possess strong antibacterial and antiviral qualities.

 

 

References

 

 

* Foster, S. 1984. Herbal Bounty! The Gentle Art of Herb Culture.

Peregrine Smith Books, Salt Lake City.

 

* Foster, S. 1993. Herbal Renaissance. Peregrine Smith Books,

Layton, Utah.

 

* Green, R.J. 1985. Peppermint and spearmint production in the

midwest. The Herb, Spice and Medicinal Plant Digest 3(1):1-5.

 

* Miller, R.A. 1985. The Potential of Herbs as a Cash Crop. Acres

U.S.A., Kansas City, Missouri.

 

 

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Published by

 

 

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

 

 

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