LEMON BALM POWDER (MELISSA OFFICINALIS)(STEM, LEAVES, FLOWER)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), a revered member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. Historically cherished for its soothing properties, this herb has been cultivated for over two millennia, with its Greek name "Melissa" signifying "honey bee," reflecting its allure to pollinators. Our Lemon Balm Powder is meticulously derived from the carefully dried and finely milled leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant, capturing the complete spectrum of its inherent beneficial compounds. This comprehensive approach ensures a rich profile of the plant's natural constituents, presenting a concentrated form ideal for diverse supplement applications. The ingredient's characteristic mild lemony aroma and flavor are a testament to its abundant volatile oil content, which is pivotal to its therapeutic actions, offering a time-honored, natural pathway to supporting overall well-being and nervous system health.

The primary health benefits of Lemon Balm are largely attributed to its intricate phytochemistry, notably its concentration of rosmarinic acid, a potent phenolic compound, alongside volatile terpenes such as citral, citronellal, and geranial. Rosmarinic acid is recognized for its significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities, and critically, its capacity to inhibit GABA transaminase. This enzymatic inhibition leads to increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain, which in turn contributes to its anxiolytic effects, fostering a sense of calm and mitigating nervous excitability. Clinical investigations, including a study published in *Psychosomatic Medicine*, have demonstrated that *Melissa officinalis* extracts can effectively enhance mood and improve cognitive performance, particularly in contexts of stress reduction, highlighting the synergistic actions of its bioactive compounds.

Lemon Balm powder serves as a highly versatile ingredient for modern supplement formulations, finding common application in capsules, tablets, functional beverages, and herbal tea blends designed for stress alleviation, mood elevation, and sleep support. When integrating this ingredient, ensuring the standardization of key active compounds, especially rosmarinic acid, is paramount to guarantee consistent efficacy and product quality. Premium-grade Lemon Balm powder is typically sourced from ethical growers employing sustainable practices and undergoes stringent testing for purity, potency, and the absence of contaminants. Further scientific validation, such as a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial detailed in *Phytotherapy Research*, has substantiated its effectiveness in enhancing sleep quality and alleviating insomnia symptoms, underscoring the importance of selecting a superior-quality powder to fully leverage the therapeutic potential of *Melissa officinalis* in diverse, evidence-based product offerings.