Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.)

Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.), belonging to the nursery family, grows wild in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, Western Asia, North Africa and also in our country. Melissa, also cultivated in many parts of the world, is one of the important medicinal aromatic plants. In Turkey it is also known as Lemon Grass.

Melissa refers to honey or honey bee in Latin because the plant is very attractive to bees, and officinalis means the plant officially used in medicine. The plant, known for its medicinal properties since ancient Greece, is said to have been considered sacred to the goddess Artemis. In ancient times of humanity, preparations were prepared as a sacrifice to life, while in Arabic and Western civilizations they were used in the manufacture of traditional medicine.

Phytochemical research has shown that the plant contains volatile compounds, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Clinical trials with raw extracts and pure compounds isolated from M. officinalis have shown that the plant has anxiolytic, antiviral and antispasmodic activity, as well as a number of pharmacological effects on mood, cognition and memory.AChE inhibitory activity, stimulation of acetylcholine and GABA A receptors, and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 are the main mechanisms recommended for neurological effects in extensive studies of this plant.