citrus packing machine

 (5).  citrus packing machine

For desserts, Susan Belsinger recommends mixing lemon balm with sweet woodruff, and for scones she

likes the combination of lemon balm and ginger (5). For dessert recipes, leaves can be steeped in hot

cream or milk (26). Susan Belsinger also likes to infuse leaves in milk for 5 minutes, strain out leaves

and add 1 tsp maple syrup. This is a delicious, relaxing bedtime drink (5). As a main course, Deni Bown

Lemon Balm: An Herb Society of America Guide

© The Herb Society of America - 9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH, 44094 - (440) 256-0514 - http://www.herbsociety.org

cooks leaves inside whole trout for "the perfect combination" (12). A quick and easy recipe that Susan

likes is lemon balm oatmeal. Simply add a handful of leaves to the boiling water that will be used to citrus packing machine

make oatmeal, and strain out leaves after steeping (5).

For culinary purposes, fresh leaves are most flavorful (67). Chopped, fresh leaves can be added to

baked goods but whole leaves can be used in many other types of dishes (5). Madalene Hill and Gwen

Barclay prefer to use lemon balm leaves in cold foods because they have found that heat will reduce

lemon balm's flavor (45). If you will be adding to cooked foods, Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay, along

with Susan Belsinger, recommend adding leaves near the end of cooking (6).

One of the most popular ways to use lemon balm is in tea. Leaves can be combined with Earl Grey,

green or black tea (58) and a handful can be added to a pitcher of iced tea (6). Fresh leaves are best for

tea, but dried leaves can also be used. Lemon balm leaves can also be mixed with rose petals and citrus packing machine

orange blossoms (13) or raspberry leaves, strawberry leaves, rose hips, alfalfa, red clover or scented

basils for tea (63). Rex Talbert prefers cold lemon balm tea to hot because he's observed that the hot

tea can have a bitter taste. For cold tea he likes to mix lemon balm with China tea and spearmint (94).

Lemon balm is also wonderful in other summer drinks (88). Leaves can be combined with cold fruit juice

(63), carbonated soda, fruit punch and wine (84). A few tablespoons of lemon balm distillate can add

refreshing flavor to ice water or iced tea (51). Susan Belsinger describes lemon balm as "a wonderful

summertime herb...the essence of summer..." (5).  citrus packing machine

Susan Belsinger makes lemon balm syrups which she stores in the freezer in Mason jars; the syrup

retains a true lemon balm flavor and can be used to make soda, tea, muffins, scones and a variety of

other treats (5). Lemon balm leaves can also be used to flavor sugar by mixing chopped leaves with

sugar and storing for at least 6 weeks. Lemon balm sugar can be added to baked goods or tea (13).

Lemon balm flowers also have culinary use. They can be candied (92) or used to garnish fruit salad,

beverages or rice (5). Also try adding them to whipping cream with sugar and fresh peaches or

strawberries (5).

In the commercial food industry, lemon balm oil and extract are used to flavor alcoholic and nonalcoholic citrus packing machine

beverages, candy, baked goods, gelatin, pudding and frozen dairy desserts (66, 92). Lemon

balm is an ingredient in liqueurs like Benedictine and Chartreuse (11, 87, 92).

SUMMER HERB GARDEN PUNCH

This punch was inspired by a great cook and herb friend, Lucinda Hutson, who wrote The Herb Garden

Cookbook. Make sure all of the liquid ingredients are well chilled. Serve this in a punch bowl or Mexican

water jar surrounded with herbs and flowers or an herb wreath. If you are using a punchbowl, it is a good

idea to make an ice mold to keep it cold, if it will be sitting out for a while. To do this, use a ring-shaped

mold or pan (sometimes I use five smaller star-shaped molds). Use water or lemonade. Pour this into citrus packing machine

the mold and add some thin slices of lemon. Place a few edible flowers or herb leaves on top and freeze

the mold until it is solid. If you are keeping it for more than a day or so, cover it tightly with plastic wrap; it

can be kept frozen for a month.

This is enough punch to make for a party; it makes about 20 to 24 servings.

16

17

17 citrus packing machine

Lemon Balm: An Herb Society of America Guide

© The Herb Society of America - 9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH, 44094 - (440) 256-0514 - http://www.herbsociety.org

. gallon lemonade or limeade, homemade or frozen

1 large can pineapple juice (46 ounces)

About 3 large handfuls of pineapple sage, lemon balm, lemon verbena, or mint leaves citrus packing machine

2 bottles of champagne or ginger ale

2 lemons, sliced thin, seeds removed

1 lime, sliced thin, seeds removed

Fresh pineapple chunks, optional

Ice or ice mold

Pineapple sage, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon grass, or mint leaves for garnish

Mix the lemonade or limeade and pineapple juice together and stir in the herbs. Refrigerate for at least 1

hour or up to 24.

Depending upon the size of your punch bowl, you can mix up just half the batch, or use all of the

ingredients. When ready to serve, squeeze the essence out of the infused herbs and remove them.  citrus packing machine Pour

the juices into a punch bowl and add the lemon and lime slices, and pineapple chunks, if desired. Add

the ice or ice mold and garnish with the fresh herb leaves. Pour the champagne or ginger ale in just

before serving.

Recipe c Susan Belsinger

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Wet leaves, warm temperatures and high humidity can predispose plants to this disease, but it

can be combated with proper spacing (for good air circulation), disinfecting pots, crop rotation and

watering earlier in the day if overhead watering is necessary (8).

Pests can be combated with beneficial insects, insecticidal soaps, traps and manual removal (24).  citrus packing machine Mark

Langan suggests planting in well-drained, fertile soil to prevent disease. Using this method, Mark doesn’t citrus packing machine

have a problem with pests and diseases in the landscape (62). Soil-borne diseases can be prevented

with crop rotation. Drip irrigating or “watering early in the day” can help prevent diseases that affect

damp leaves (24).

Pruning & Harvesting

14

There are many options when it comes to pruning and harvesting lemon balm. Leaves can be harvested

as needed. Susan Belsinger suggests thinning plants in the summer to improve air circulation. This is

particularly important during hot and humid weather. To thin plants, simply snap a stem off from the citrus packing machine

base. If plant has 30 stems, about 10 should be removed. The thinned stems can then be hung to dry

(5).

In addition to thinning, Susan cuts her plants nearly to ground level for the three major harvests in

spring, summer and fall. Susan has found that she can get new growth even in cool weather after the

plant has bloomed and leaves are turning yellowish-green (5). In Southern California, Theresa Loe  citrus packing machine cuts

her lemon balm plants to the ground in late fall or early winter but they never become dormant and she

can harvest year-round (67).

Plants may brown around the edges due to excess heat, cold, dryness or high winds (45). Madalene Hill

and Gwen Barclay trim 1 or 2 inches all around the plant to remove browning and finds that in just a few

days new growth will appear. For plants that are very large, try trimming one side one week and the

other side the following week. If the plant has been subjected to more extreme conditions like hurricane citrus packing machine

winds or drought, they would cut it back to 4 or 5 inches in late winter or early spring(45).

It’s nearly impossible to over-prune/over-harvest lemon balm (61). According to Lorraine Keifer, in midsummer,

a large patch can even be pruned with a trimmer/edger or a mower set on high. She suggests

watering and fertilizing following this aggressive pruning if soil is poor or plants look “sparse” (59). Mark

Langan has also noticed that lemon balm can be mowed to the ground and will rebound, but for Mark a

safe rule is to remove up to half of the plant’s total height (62).

Be sure to prune flowering stalks before the plant goes to seed to keep lemon balm from spreading citrus packing machine

(101). Andrew Van Hevelingen also suggests dividing three-year-old plants and replanting, since lemon

balm plants can “die in the middle and creep outwards like French tarragon” (101).

Essential oil content is reportedly highest in the top one-third of the plant (76), and one study that took

place in the Ebro-Delta of Spain found that harvesting in the morning during August and September

produced the best essential oil content (1).

Many herb enthusiasts believe flavor is best prior to flowering (12, 45, 81, 87, 88) but for essential oil citrus packing machine

production, plants are harvested at flowering (92). If harvesting for essential oil production, Mark Langan

suggests cutting plants to the ground in spring as the first 5-25% of flowers open. Mark points out that

seed production, not flowering, affects oil production and leaf flavor (62). According to Susan Belsinger,

if the plant is cut back after flowering, new leaves that appear will have the flavor of spring growth (5).

Drying citrus packing machine

The flavor of fresh lemon balm is superior to dried (5, 45, 62, 87, 88), but depending on the season and

your location, drying lemon balm leaves can provide access to the herb year round.

Lemon balm can be dried by hanging in bunches, then stripping off leaves (12, 59, 67). It can also be

dried on trays (45, 104) and should be dried in a dark place (101, 104) with good air circulation (58,

101). Dry within 2 days or leaves may turn black (87, 104).

Dried leaves can be stored for 1 year in glass containers in a dark, dry place (43, 67). They can also  citrus packing machine be

stored in the refrigerator for a few days or in double bagged food storage plastic bags in the freezer for

the short term (45).

Freezing

For fresh flavor, even in winter, Susan Belsinger prefers freezing chopped lemon balm leaves in

vegetable oil. The lemon balm and oil combination can be added to baked goods (5). Another option is

to freeze whole or chopped leaves and water in ice cube trays (62).

Culinary Uses citrus packing machine

Lemon balm is a surprisingly versatile culinary herb which can be used to flavor many different types of

dishes, from beverages, to appetizers, main courses and desserts. It can be added to salads,

sandwiches, soups, stews, butters, cheeses, fish, stuffings for poultry, pork and veal, egg dishes,

vegetables, fruit cups, jams, jellies, sauces, marinades, dressings, herb vinegar, wine, punch, cakes,

custards, tarts, sorbets, ice cream, cookies, crepes, pies and cheesecakes (5, 67, 92).

Lemon balm complements many fruits, including honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple, apples and pears

(5). For fruit salads, try mixing fresh lemon balm with pineapple sage (81). For vinaigrettes or salad

mixes, lemon balm combines well with parsley or basil. It can also be included in fines herbes mixtures citrus packing machine

with dill, tarragon, parsley, chervil and chives. In springtime, combine lemon balm with fennel and thyme

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 CITRUS PACKING MACHINE

Propagation

There are many ways to propagate lemon balm, but many of HSA's gardening experts find that the

species' easy self-seeding makes planned propagation unnecessary (59, 67, 88, 101). If starting new

plants from seed, however, remember that lemon balm germinates best uncovered (67) or covered citrus packing machine

lightly with vermiculite (62) and will germinate in 5-9 days if temperature is 65-70o F (62). The species,

Melissa officinalis 'Quedlinburger Niederliegende,' and M. o. 'All Gold' (Golden) will come true to type if

isolated (62). For M. o. 'Aurea', the variegated cultivar, however, Andy Van Hevelingen suggests

propagating by division or softwood cuttings since it will not retain variegation when grown from seed

(101).

If propagating from cuttings, Andy takes 3-4 inch softwood tip cuttings in spring. He removes 2/3 of the

leaves and pinches out the growing tip to prevent wilting. Andy recommends dipping in rooting hormone

powder and placing in sterile medium amended with coarse sterile sand to provide support and   citrus packing machine moisture

retention. The cuttings should be watered immediately and kept out of direct sun, and will root in 3-4

weeks (101).

Mark Langan takes 1. to 1.-inch tip cuttings and roots them in sterile potting soil over a heat table set

at 70-75oF. Using this method, Mark has found that cuttings will root in about a week (62). Note that

bottom heat can decrease rooting time (101) but heat is not required to induce rooting (12).

Cuttings can be taken in spring or fall. Although spring cuttings can be taken from flowering stems, fall

cuttings should come from tips at the base of the crown which don't have flowers (62). Mark uses a razor  citrus packing machine

blade for all of his cuttings, rather than scissors. A razor blade makes a clean cut, allows water to absorb

quickly and prevents wilting (62).

Deni Bown suggests treating lemon balm “like any hardy perennial, digging up a clump when dormant

and dividing into small pieces, either for replanting in the ground or in pots” (12). Her favorite

propagation method, however, is “to take stem cuttings in the spring... choosing basal stems that have

the odd root already or vestigial roots” (12). Water & Drainage

New plants should be watered immediately after transplanting (5). Madalene Hill has found that in her

Round Top, Texas, garden, established plants in-ground or in large containers can be watered once a  citrus packing machine week (45). Mark Langan, on the other hand, waters his potted plants daily in summer, but his general

rule for lemon balm (especially in-ground plants) is to water only if the plant is wilted in a drought

situation (62). Frequent watering may be necessary, however, if plants are grown in full sun and high

temperatures (101).

Although lemon balm likes moist soils (97), good drainage is also important (45, 97). Mulching will aid

drainage and protect from hot weather (especially important if you garden in the South) (45). Planting  citrus packing machineon

a hillside can also promote good drainage (45).

Fertilizer

Lemon balm is such a prolific and vigorous grower it rarely needs fertilizer (5). Preparing soil with leaf

humus or compost is usually sufficient (5, 62). Adding calcium in the form of lime or gypsum every 3-4

years can also be beneficial (62). Container plants, however, may benefit from organic liquid fertilizer

four times per year (67).

Advice for Beginners

Lemon balm is such an easy plant to grow, Rex Talbert advises beginners to “stand back” after  sowing

seeds (94). Dr. Art Tucker cautions that the plant can be invasive (96). Mark Langan suggests

preventing lemon balm from going to seed if you want to avoid spreading (62). Another option is to

choose the sterile variety, Melissa officinalis 'Compacta' (61). Susan Belsinger says beginning

gardeners should remember that a plant that starts out in a 4-inch pot will be 1. to 2-feet tall and wide

by the end of the season. Put the plant where it will have ample room and cut it back as needed (5).

(See Pruning & Harvesting section for additional information). Maintaining good air circulation can be

challenging since lemon balm can spread so rapidly (5). Susan Belsinger started with two lemon balm

plants near the foundation of her house and now has about 30 plants. If plants become too crowded,

simply thin to the desired spacing (5). Lorraine Kiefer suggests growing lemon balm under trees; “the  citrus packing machine

natural leaf cover in winter acts as a mulch and becomes compost” (59).

Indoor Cultivation

If grown as a potted indoor plant, lemon balm will need 5 hours of direct sunlight or 14-16 hours of

artificial light per day (92). Most of HSA's experts don't recommend growing lemon balm indoors,

however. According to Madalene Hill, although lemon balm will grow indoors in a sunny window, the

flavor won't be as intense. It's best to think of lemon balm as a seasonal, summer plant (45).

Pests &  Diseases

13

Lemon balm does not often fall prey to pests and diseases, but there are a few to watch out for.

Indoors and in the greenhouse, aphids and spider mites can infest lemon balm, but hard washing with a

hose (or in the sink) can help remedy the problem (62). Mark Langan also suggests dusting undersides

of leaves with wettable sulfur, waiting 24 hours, and then washing off. This can be especially helpful in

the Southwest where sulfur can help acidify the soil (62).

European red mite and two-spotted mite can cause leaf bronzing and stunted growth (70). Whitefly can

be a problem in the greenhouse, especially with poor ventilation and inadequate sunlight (94). Rex  citrus packing machine

Talbert has a creative solution to combat whitefly, spraying a board with a yellow color that attracts

whiteflies, covering it with a sticky substance and placing the board near the plants (94). One disease associated with lemon balm is not necessarily a concern, but may actually be related to a

desirable ornamental characteristic of one lemon balm variety. A 2005 article in Plant Pathology

reported an association between variegation in lemon balm and the presence of Tulip Virus X (TVX) 

(98).

Less benevolent diseases of lemon balm include powdery mildew and Septoria leaf spot. Powdery

mildew is a fungal disease that gives leaves a whitish powdery appearance and can be a problem in

areas with hot, humid days and cool nights (12, 31). This disease can be controlled by providing good

air circulation and regular harvesting/pruning (88, 104). To avoid mildew, try growing the cultivar M.

officinalis ‘Citronella,’ which is mildew-resistant (12).

Septoria leaf spot, a fungus that can infect lemon balm, causes dark brown or black 1-2mm angular leaf

spots.

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The primary ingredient in Carmelite water was lemon balm, but it

also contained lemon peel, nutmeg and angelica root (42). A version known as Klostergau Melissengeist

has been sold in Germany in recent times (87).

In Europe, lemon balm was used as a strewing herb (26, 73, 80), and was tossed on floors to freshen

rooms. It was strewn amongst church pews up to the nineteenth century (41). Oil from the herb was also

used historically to polish furniture (20).

In the Victorian language of flowers, lemon balm could be added to a tussie mussie or floral bouquet  citrus packing machine to

signify “social intercourse,” ”pleasant company of friends,” “memories,” “a cure,” and “don’t misuse

me” (39).

Lemon balm arrived in North America with the early colonists, who used it to make potpourri and tea

(26), to attract honeybees for honey production, and as a substitute for lemons in jams and jellies (20).

Lemon balm was also one of the plants grown at Thomas Jefferson’s garden and farm (50).  citrus packing machine

Lemon balm has been associated with the feminine, the moon and water (23, 64), and was considered a

sacred herb in the temple of the Ancient Roman goddess Diana (92). According to magical folklore, the

herb has powers of healing, success and love, and can be made into healing incense and sachets or

carried to help the bearer find love (23).

Culpeper associated lemon balm with the planet Jupiter and the astrological constellation Cancer (22).

Some herbalists believe lemon balm is also beneficial for the astrological signs Sagittarius (82) and

Aquarius (2). Literature

Deciphering exactly which references in classic and ancient texts refer to lemon balm can be difficult.

The word balm and its variations (baume, bawme, balme, bawme, and baulm) were used to describe citrus packing machine

aromatic and medicinal resins from various trees (bearing the common name balsam), anointing and

embalming oils and preparations, healing ointments, and pleasant fragrances (91). Although balm is

mentioned in the Bible, the plant in question is not lemon balm, but is believed to be Commiphora

opobalsamum (75, 105), Commiphora gileadensis (110) or Balanites aegyptiaca (105). According to the

Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest usage of “bawme” in reference to lemon balm was in citrus packing machine

Promptorium parvulorum sive clericorum, lexicon Anglo-Latin circa 1440: “Bawme, herbe…

melissa” (91).

Nevertheless, scholars believe that the “baum” mentioned in

the Roman poet Virgil's Georgics, written around 30 B.C.E, is

actually lemon balm (103): “Bruis'd baum, and vulgar cerinth

spread around,/ And ring the tinkling brass, and sacred

cymbals sound:/ They'll settle on the medicated seats,/ and

hide them in the chambers' last retreats.”  citrus packing machine

- Volume 1, Book IV (103)

It is also widely accepted that lemon balm is the “balm” of

Homer's Odyssey (91):

...A vine did all the hollow cave embrace,

Still green, yet still ripe bunches gave it grace.

Four fountains, one against another, pour'd

Their silver streams; and meadows all enflower'd

With sweet balm-gentle, and blue violets hid,

That deck'd the soft breasts of each fragrant mead.  citrus packing machine

- The Odyssey, Book V (47)

Many believe that Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor

also refers to lemon balm in descriptions of “balm” as a

strewing herb (16 in 104) or furniture polish (20, 85, 87):

Anne Page (as the Fairy Queen) proclaims:

About, about!

Search Windsor castle, elves, within and out:

Strew good luck, ouphs, on every sacred room,

That it may stand till the perpetual doom,

In state as wholesome as in state ’tis fit,  citrus packing machine

Worthy the owner, and the owner it.

The several chairs of order look you scour

With juice of balm and every precious flower:

Each fair instalment, coat, and several crest,

With loyal blazon, ever more be blest!

- (Merry Wives of Windsor, Act V, Scene V (21) Lemon balm was also mentioned briefly in Henry David Thoreau's Journals: "In the garden of the

Wellfleet Oysterman was yellow dock, lemon balm, hyssop, gill-go-over-the-ground, mouse-ear,

chickweed, etc." (3)

Art

Although lemon balm does not appear in any well-known art works, it is depicted in various botanical

illustrations and herbals, including Gerard's Herbal, Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal, and Basil citrus packing machine

Besler's Hortus Eystettensis (1613). In addition, the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation lists two

lemon balm watercolors in their online catalogue: “Melissa officinalis (lemon balm)” by Marie Felicity

Angel and “Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Balm (Melissa): Balm, Variegated Basil, Lettuce-leaved Basil,

Basil with Oregano-shaped leaves” by Marilena Pistoia (48) . Lemon balm is probably one of the easiest herbs to grow and is ideal for beginners. This perennial

grows and spreads so readily, in fact, that some gardeners consider it a weed. According to Mark

Langan, a common misconception about lemon balm is that it spreads like mint, but mint spreads by

underground runners while lemon balm spreads via seed (62). For Madalene Hill, even though citrus packing machine

reseeding in the garden can be a problem, lemon balm is an essential herb garden plant that “no herb

grower should be without” (45).

citrus packing machine

Lemon balm had historic use as an attractor of honeybees. (See History & Folklore section.) Research has shown that the plant contains several compounds found in the worker honeybee’s Nasonov gland,

which helps bees communicate about food sources and hive location (17). Both contain citral and

geraniol, and honeybee pheromone contains nerolic acid, which is similar to the nerol found in Melissa citrus packing machine

officinalis (17).

Lemon balm essential oil is extracted from the leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation (65). Oil

yield is typically less than 0.5 ml oil/kg herb (70). The essential oil available commercially may be

adulterated (65, 66) with lemon, lemongrass or citronella (11, 65).

Although the essential oil content of plants of the same species can vary due to environmental

conditions, harvest time and stage of growth (1), for Melissa officinalis, oil content is reportedly highest

in the upper third of the plant (14).

Lemon balm essential oil, oleoresin and natural extractives are considered GRAS (Generally citrus packing machine

Recognized as Safe) (99, 100). The essential oil is GRAS at concentrations of 1-60 ppm (97). The leaf

extract is GRAS at 2000-5000 ppm (97), and up to 0.5% can be included as a flavoring in baked goods

according to U.S. GRAS regulations (14).

Melissa officinalis contains both Vitamin C and Thiamin (a B vitamin). One study detected an average of

254 mg vitamin C per 100 ml of solution (37). According to the same study, drying and storing lemon

balm for over 12 weeks resulted in a 50% reduction in vitamin C content, and deep freezing for this

same time period resulted in a 25% reduction in vitamin C. The Thiamin content was significantly  citrus packing machine lower,

on average only 76.4 mcg per 100 ml of solution (37).

Although lemon balm is generally considered non-toxic, be aware that the plant/leaves may cause

contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals (65, 84).

Lemon balm’s herbal use dates back over 2000 years (54, 72). The ancient Greeks and Romans used it

medicinally, and information about the herb was recorded as far back as 300 B.C. in Theophrastus’s

Historia Plantarum (60 in 54).

The plant likely originated in Southern Europe and was brought to Spain by the Moors in the 7th  citrus packing machine century;

by the Middle Ages it was cultivated and used throughout Europe (60 in 54).

The genus name, Melissa, means “bee” in Greek, and the plant was likely named for its reputed ability

to attract bees (92, 97). First century Roman naturalist, Pliny the Elder, wrote that lemon balm planted

near bee hives would encourage bees to return (38), and Gerard later claimed that rubbing the leaves

on a hive would “causeth the Bees to keep together and causeth others to come unto them” (38).  citrus packing machine

The specific epithet, officinalis, means “used in medicine” (93) indicating that the species had historic

medicinal uses (87). The common name is derived from the Greek word balsamon, which means

balsam, or “an oily, sweet-smelling resin” (27). Lemon balm appears in historic works under various

spellings including bawme, baume, balme and baulm (91).

Early herbalists and writers praised lemon balm for its medicinal and uplifting qualities. Eleventh century

Persian physician and philosopher Avicenna was an early advocate for the use of lemon balm in treating

depression/melancholy (27). According to an old Arabian proverb, “Balm makes the heart merry and

joyful.” (80)

First century Greek physician Dioscorides wrote that lemon balm would promote menstruation, improve gout, remedy toothaches and if mixed with wine, could be used to treat scorpion stings and dog bites citrus packing machine

(44). Later English herbalists John Gerard (1545-1612) and Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) shared

Dioscorides' beliefs on many of lemon balm’s uses. Gerard wrote that, “Bawme drunken in wine is good

against the bitings of venomous beasts, comforts the heart, and driveth away all melancholy and

sadness.” (38). He advised that the juice of lemon balm would “glueth together green wounds.”

Culpepper believed the herb would treat boils, cure melancholy and was good for the heart, mind, liver,

spleen, digestion and fainting (22). According to the London Dispensary (1696) lemon balm in wine

could even prevent baldness (42). Some sources claim that lemon balm was once believed to staunch

blood flow from a sword wound (23, 64) but according to Pliny and Gerard, the plant in question was not

actually common lemon balm (Melissa sp.), but a type of balm known as Smiths Bawme, Iron-wort or

Iewes All-heale, which Gerard classified as Herba indiaca (or Herba indaica) (38).  citrus packing machine

Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus (1493-1541) believed that lemon balm was an “elixir of life”

and would increase strength and lengthen life (11, 92, 97). There are a few legends surrounding lemon

balm, health and longevity, and royalty. Both King Charles V of France and Holy Roman Emperor

Charles V are said to have consumed lemon balm beverages to promote health (42, 87).

Members of the Carmelite religious order created a concoction known as Carmelite water or Eau de

Melisse de Carmes, which was believed to promote longevity and improve headaches and neuralgia

(20, 42, 87). (Some sources date the creation of Carmelite water to the seventeenth century (6, 87)  citrus packing machine and

others to the fourteenth century (58).