Scientific name: Melissa officinalis
Common name: Melissa
General description: Melissa officinalis is a plant native to southern Europe first described by Dioscorides (40 - 90 AD) for its medicinal properties, including the treatment of mental illnesses, nervous system, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Its whitish or pinkish flowers are attractive to bees as indicated by its botanical name (Melissa comes from the Greek word for bee).
Nutritional facts: Melissa is important for essential oils, which contain terpenes such as cymophenol, para-cymene, lemonal, and camphor.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Climate: Mild, with good sun exposure, but can be grown in partial shade.
Soil: Sandy loamy and loamy-sandy soils are ideal for cultivation and must be well drained.
Watering: It needs moist soil, but not too much.
Associations: Turnip, Radish, Cabbages, and should be planted next to tomato plants to improve their flavor.
Flowering Season: End of Summer.