Why Is Real Lemon Balm Essential Oil So Valuable?

Lemon balm may grow happily in gardens, but obtaining its essential oil is another matter.

Melissa officinalis produces only a small amount of essential oil, making genuine lemon balm oil relatively valuable. The oil is characterized by its high content of citral – mainly geranial and neral – together with compounds such as citronellal.

These substances are also responsible for something anyone who has rubbed a fresh lemon balm leaf between their fingers will recognize immediately: its distinctive fresh lemon-like aroma.

The amount and composition of the oil can change according to growing conditions, geographical origin, harvest time and even the part of the plant used. This makes lemon balm a good example of why the value of an aromatic plant is not simply determined by how easily it grows: a plentiful plant does not necessarily produce plentiful essential oil.