BALM, bilm (for derivation, see BALSAM). Melissa offieinalis. An erect, branching, per ennial• herbaceous plant one to two feet high, of the natural order Labiata, a native of the south of Europe, naturalized in England, and escaped from gardens in the United States. It has ovate, crenate leaves, and axillary one sided whorls of white or pale yellow flowers. The whole plant has an agreeable, lemon-like smell, on account of which it is frequently culti vated in gardens. It is a valuable honey-pro ducing plant and is sometimes grown for bee forage. Balm is employed for making an agree able and somewhat exhilarating beverage called Balm Wine. The leaves and tops are used in medicine under the name of Melissa, or Balm. For medicinal use, the herb should be cut before the appearance of the flowers, which begin to expand in July. It is nearly inodorous when dry. The taste is somewhat austere and slightly aromatic. Balm has scarcely any therapeutic value. The quantity of oil contained in it is not more than sufficient to communicate a pleas ant flavor to the infusion, which forms an excel lent drink in febrile complaints, and when taken warm tends to promote the operation of diapho retic medicines. A variety of the common cat
mint (Nepeta eataria), with a smell like that of Balm, is often mistaken for it. Moldavian Balm (Draeocephalum, Moblacienm) is a native of the country from which it derives its name, and of Siberia, etc.: an annual plant, having, when fresh, a smell like that of Balm. but less pleasant. It is much used in Germany for flavoring. Bastard Balm (.1/c/ittis nit lissophyl loin), a native of the south of England and of many parts of Europe, is a very beautiful plant. which, when dried, has a delightful fragrance and retains it long. In the United States Co/ linsonia Canadensis is called Horse-Balm: and Monarda didyna, Tea-Balm. All these are of the natural order LabiaUe.