Lemon Balm

Here's an illustration I did of Lemon balm earlier this year:

And no, lemon balm does not grow lemons. I just put them in the picture to make whoever is looking at it think of the scent of lemon rather than just another green leafy herb. Lemon balm in great in hot or cold tea or you can even put a bit in salad. The SESE catalog tells me Lemon balm has anti-viral action (in lab tests) against herpes simplex, mumps, and other viruses and that its also a sedative, calmative, and carminative. Wikipedia tells me its native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Region and that its crushed leaves when rubbed on the skin can be used as a mosquito repellant. I will have to try that one!