ABSTRACT
Melissa offi cinalis L., from the Lamiaceae family, is one of the vegetal species traditionally used in Europe for the treatment of nervousness, anxiety and sleep disorders, as well as for gastrointestinal complaints; it is usually known as melisa, toronjil or hierba limonera (Spanish), lemon balm (English), mélisse (French), melissa (Italian), melissenblätter or zitronenkraut (German), cidreira (Portuguese), citroenmelisse (Dutch) or φύλλο μελίσσης (Greek).
