Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean regions and the Middle East. "Melissa" is Greek for "honeybee," and many ancient cultures used both the symbolism of the bee and the title Melissa to honor their goddesses, especially Artemis, Aphrodite, and Demeter, and attract pollinators. In the 9th century, the emperor Charlemagne ordered it planted in every monastery's apothecary garden because of its medicinal properties. A number of religious orders used lemon balm in special aromatic waters - the most famous is Carmelite water, first produced by French Carmelite nuns in the early 17th century. Packed with vitamins and minerals, it’s especially high in essential calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium; promotes longevity. Its shoots can be added to finishing salts, herbal vinegars, salsas, jams, liquors, ice cream, sorbet, cookies, herb-infused whipped cream, smoothies, and pestos. It is a healing antiviral remedy for herpes, venereal warts, shingles, and chickenpox. Both an acute and tonic nervine remedy, it deeply comforts and strengthens the heart, calms the mind, and lifts the spirit. It helps with tension headaches, stress-related insomnia, panic attacks accompanied by heart palpitations, neuralgia, ADHD, and overexcitement or restlessness in children. As a tonic, lemon balm nourishes, strengthens, and rehabilitates the nervous system