Lemon Balm Extract Powder

Lemon balm extract comes from the dried leaves of Melissa officinalis, the lemon-scented mint relative grown in kitchen gardens across Europe. Water extraction concentrates the soluble leaf fraction, and the liquor is dried to a light brown powder at a 10:1 ratio. Stems, flowers and distilled oil are left out.

The 10:1 ratio carries no rosmarinic acid percentage. The powder is light brown, ground to 80 mesh and water dispersible. A rosmarinic-acid-graded lemon balm extract and the plain leaf powder are separate products, and other lemon-scented herbs are different plants.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0071 Category: Botanical Extracts Tags: Gummies & Chews, Leaf & Herb, Lemon Balm, Plant Extracts, Water Dispersible, Water Extracted

Melissa officinalis Leaf Identity & Plant Part

The botanical entity is Melissa officinalis L., a perennial herb of the mint family, Lamiaceae. The part used is the dried leaf, which is oval, toothed and crinkled and carries the lemon scent when it is crushed. Stems, flowers and the steam-distilled oil are not part of this lemon balm extract.

Several other herbs smell of lemon, including lemon verbena, Aloysia citrodora, lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, and lemon thyme, so a specification that says only “lemon” does not identify lemon balm. The leaf carries hydroxycinnamic acids such as rosmarinic acid, flavonoids and a citral-type volatile oil, of which water extraction keeps mainly the polar part.

Lemon Balm Extract vs Powder & Standardized

Form	What It Is	Choose It When
10:1 Lemon Balm Leaf Extract	Water-extracted, concentrated and dried M. officinalis leaf	A dispersible leaf extract without a marker is wanted
Lemon Balm Extract 5–10% Rosmarinic acid-type markers	Extract with a defined marker range	The specification names a marker figure
Lemon Balm Leaf Powder	Dried, milled leaf	Leaf fiber and the natural scent are wanted

On a lemon balm extract, 10:1 is a concentration ratio of the starting leaf. It does not state a rosmarinic acid figure, and the volatile oil that gives the fresh herb its citrus note is mostly lost in water extraction and drying.

A label that must declare a marker needs the graded extract. The ratio extract suits tea-style mixes and capsule blends that want lemon balm identity in a dispersible, low-fiber form. The milled leaf keeps more of the fresh-herb character and fiber for formats where speckles and bulk are acceptable.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Melissa officinalis
Plant Part	Leaf & Herb
Processing	Water Extraction
Common Name	Lemon Balm, Melissa
Ingredient Type	Ratio Extract
Extract Ratio	10:1
Appearance	Light Brown powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Dispersible
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Application Areas

Herbal Tea Sticks

Instant sticks use lemon balm extract as a dissolvable alternative to steeped leaf. The infusion is pale amber with a mild herbal taste, and a citrus or honey flavor restores the lemon note that the water extract lacks. Hot water brings out the herbal taste more clearly than cold.

Caffeine-Free Drink Powders

Drink powders pair lemon balm extract with chamomile-style or mint flavors in caffeine-free mixes. The brown tint is easy to hide in tea or fruit bases, and sweetener softens the leaf’s slight bitterness. Because lemon balm extract lacks the citrus scent of the fresh herb, a small lemon flavor completes the profile.

Capsule and Tablet Blends

Capsule and tablet blends combine the extract with other herb extracts. Phenolic acids can darken a fill when moisture is present, so dry excipients are chosen and fill-line humidity is controlled. Tablets add a binder with good compressibility, as the extract is a soft, soluble solid.

Herbal Gummy Premixes

Gummy premixes accept lemon balm extract after cooking, once the mass has cooled. The brown shade suits lemon, apple or honey flavors, and added citric acid sharpens the taste while a gentle sweetener balances it. The brown tint is neutral in a golden gummy but muddy in a clear white one.

Formulation Notes

The powder is light brown with a faint herbal, tea-like aroma and a mildly bitter, astringent taste. In water it disperses to a pale amber liquid that darkens slowly. Phenolic acids in the leaf react with iron, so stainless equipment is preferred, and long hot holds deepen the color.

Premix the powder into part of the dry base before the main blend to prevent lumps. The soluble leaf solids attract moisture and cake in an open pack. After opening, press out the air, seal the liner tightly and store the drum in a cool, dry place away from heat.

Because the fresh lemon note is largely absent, a sensory trial at the planned dose shows whether an added flavor is needed. For tablets, hardness is checked after storage since soluble leaf solids soften slightly in humid warehouses.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.