Melissa officinalis, Lemon Balm’s botanical name is derived from melissa the Greek word for honey bee (Apis Meliffera). As a member of the mint or Lamiaceae family it attracts many bees to its small but nectar laden flowers. The delicately lemon scented leaves are used to make a realxing tea, flavor wine and beer and are used in cooking. Its flavor comes from the terpenes citronellal, citronellol, citral and geraniol. Citral has been demonstrated in studies to be anti-viral and in Germany it is used in creams and ointments to treat herpes and other viral skin conditions.