Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial shrub and widely used herb native to the Eastern Mediterranean region and Western Asia. It has traditionally been used for a variety of cognitive purposes, most of which are centered around improving cognition and reducing stress and anxiety. Lemon balm contains numerous chemical compounds, including polyphenolic compounds (rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid), essencial oils (citral), monotherpenoid aldehides, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids (luteolin) and tannins. Specific applications studied in poultry include:
Immune System: 120 broiler chickens involved in a research study with a purpose of investigating the effects of diet supplementation with 0.2% lemon balm extract supplied in the drinking water showed potential as a healthy supplement to aid in improvement of the chickens' antioxidant status.
