394 Handbook of herbs and spices
in Europe and east Mediterranean countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Ireland,
England, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Egypt and Syria. According to the Essential
Oils Market Information Booklet published by IENICA (2004), the world production
of lemon balm oil is estimated at a value <£100,000. Reported prices range from $7.00
to $10.00 per pound for certified organic lemon balm (Sturdivant and Blakley, 1999).
23.4 Main uses........................................................................................
Lemon balm in food processing has a wide range of uses such as tea, herb, flavurant
or culinary. It has been used in hot tea blends, as a fresh and dry herb in Europe and
Mediterranean countries (Bozan, 1995; Zeybek, 1995). Today, its leaves are also
used in iced tea or other cold drinks. Fresh or dried lemon balm leaves can be often
used as a food ingredient to green salads, sandwiches, pasta, marinades, sauces,
staffings, soups, egg dishes, meat dishes, roast chicken, jams, vinegar, etc. It is
reported to be used in many other dishes, even in desserts (cheesecake), biscuits and
some alcoholic beverages such as liqueurs and wine (Rogers, 1998). For instance,
fish or chicken can be cooked over a bed of lemon balm leaves. Its chopped fresh
leaves also go well with plain yoghurt and sprinkle with any kind of fresh berries. If
one prefers using fresh herba the leaves can be frozen for later use, but avoid freezing
leaves while they are wet. Chopping with a knife causes bruises and discolours the
leaves, so tearing leaves into small pieces may be preferred. Moreover, adding essential
oil or extract of lemon balm into vegetable oils such as sunflower, rapeseed oil, etc.,
may contribute to oil quality components. For example, it was found that the ethanol
extract of lemon balm improves the oxidation stability of sunflower oil (Marinova
and Yanishlieva, 1997) and addition of 1.5% w/w to a salad portion increases the
antioxidant capacity 150% (Ninfali et al., 2005).
From the earliest of times in the Mediterranean region people have used lemon
balm to encourage a new swarm of bees to stay in a new hive by rubbing the inside
of the hive with the leaves (Lesley, 1994; Square, 1998). Although the flowers and its
smell attract honeybees, it is said that lemon balm has a repellent effect on some
insects as it contains citronella oil. Some investigations revealed that lemon balm
could also be used in animal feed for several purposes. For example, the herb mixture
containing lemon balm is also suggested for use in animal feed instead of fodder
antibiotics (Urbanczyk et al., 2002). Moreover, it was found that feeding calves with
a mixture of nettle, tutsan, lemon balm, camomile, marigold and small plantain
enhanced glucose and total protein content and lowered cholesterol content in the
blood serum of calves (Bombik et al., 2002). Some varieties are also suitable for
ornamental use, especially as border plants in gardens. Leaves and stems with flowers
can be dried and used in potpourri or as room fresheners. Its essential oil smells
pleasant and is used by the perfume or cosmetic industry. Fresh lemon balm shoots
and leaves can even be used in natural cosmetics. As result of its therapeutic effect,
lemon balm is used in hydrosols, which is considered the homeopathy of aromatherapy
(Rose, 2002).
23.5 Functional/health benefits..............................................................
Lemon balm has a wide range of uses for medicinal, antimicrobial, antioxidant