On the suburban areas and near the private estates are often found such fragrant plants as mint and lemon balm. Most people probably brewed them more than once as tea, but you cannot always be sure which plant is in front of you. They have a similar appearance and aroma, which is why confusion arises. How to distinguish mint from lemon balm and what are the characteristic features of each plant, this article will tell.
Are mint and lemon balm the same thing?
To better understand the differences between these two plants turn to botany. Peppermint is called the genus of plants of the family Laminae, all species of which have a strong aroma, and many of them also contain a large amount of menthol.
Did you know? The name of the genus comes from the name of the nymph Mint, the goddess of Mount Mente, who is in Elide. According to legend, she was the beloved of the god of the underworld of Hades, for which his wife turned the nymph into a plant.Melissa officinalis is a perennial aromatic herbaceous plant, which, like mint, belongs to the family of Laminae, only the genus from her is Melissa.
Melissa and mint have significant differences in other characteristics, so it is safe to say that these are different plants, although it is often believed that mint is lemon balm.
How to distinguish between mint and lemon balm in appearance
If you carefully consider both plants, you will surely notice that they have differences in appearance. In mint stem is straight, and purple flowers are collected in inflorescences, resembling ears. The plant does not grow above one meter, although in most cases it is even lower (up to 30 cm). The leaves are mostly oval, but may have a lanceolate form with a pointed end. The roots are thin, fibrous.
Mint fruiting is a rare occurrence, but if you are lucky and you see its fruit, it will be slightly rough and may have hairs in the upper part. Inside it contains four small nuts. 
In Melissa, the stem branches (hairs on the surface), and the flowers are collected in false rings (6-12 pieces each) and are painted in purple tones. The maximum height of the plant reaches 1.5 meters, although it is usually somewhat lower. Leaves, like the fruit, are characterized by an oval (ovoid) shape.
Did you know? If you believe the beliefs, the mint is able to extend human life, because of which, in ancient times, it could be found in almost every house.
Does the smell of lemon balm and mint
Perhaps the most characteristic difference between mint and melissa is the smell. Mint has pronounced aphrodisiac properties and is characterized by a refreshing menthol aroma. Melissa is also characterized by a pleasant smell, but not so saturated, with a predominance of light lemon notes. This plant is a large honey plant, therefore it is well suited for growing near apiaries.
The difference between mint and melissa in terms of aromatic properties is more noticeable than when visually inspecting plants, which is why many summer residents distinguish them only because of this nuance.
Significant difference in chemical composition and properties
It is no secret that mint has an excellent tonic effect, and lemon balm is soothing, which is largely due to their chemical composition. So, mint contains a large amount of essential oils, and also has a high content of saturated acids (0.246 g), fats (0.94 g) and dietary fiber (8 g). In addition, the plant is present and many vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, PP, and among the minerals emit copper, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium and sodium. Due to this composition, the difference between melissa and mint is also in the analgesic effect of the latter, as well as in its anti-inflammatory, diuretic and choleretic properties.
The chemical composition of lemon balm is very similar to the composition of mint. Of course, it does not contain fatty acids and dietary fiber, but consists of the same vitamins and minerals, only in a different concentration. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9 and vitamin C, as well as the already mentioned copper, zinc, phosphorus, sodium, manganese, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron are presented in the lemon balm.
What are plants like mint?
So, we have already figured out how melissa differs from mint in terms of appearance and chemical properties, but this does not mean that you will not confuse these plants with others similar to them. If we take into account only the resemblance and do not take into account the fragrant qualities, then the mint is very similar to deaf nettle (white ash tree) and some other members of the Yasnotkov family: creeping zyuznik, European common grader, Dubrovnik ordinary, common pachucha, black-headed ordinary, and cockberry.
Important! Most types of mint are unpretentious plants that multiply very well, so there is a high probability to see mint in those parts of the garden where you did not plant it.Moreover, mint itself also has many varieties, the most common among which are:
- pepper (most often diluted for use in cooking, medicine or for domestic purposes);
- curly (characterized by a delicate aroma and lack of a sharp cooling taste);
- Japanese (differs in rather large lilac flowers);
- long-leaf (grown on plantations to obtain essential oil);
- meadow (presented in the form of a wild plant, which often grows throughout the site);
- cat or catnip (the most attractive cat for cats, which, like Melissa, has a light lemon scent).
Some summer residents often confuse melissa and catnip, but in reality these two plants have significant differences. First of all, the chemical composition of the oils and their quantity cannot be called the same, although the aroma of this plant is very similar to melissa medicinal. Different and the area of growth of these plants. While catnip is more common in the forest-steppe zone, in the Crimea, in the Caucasus or the Far East, mint and lemon balm are preferred more by the southern regions. 
Important! Often, lemon mint is called lemongrass or melissa, but as for the latter name, it is not entirely correct, because mint is already considered to be a completely different plant, although it belongs to the same family.Whatever it was, but mint and lemon balm have very useful properties that have a wide range of applications not only in everyday life, but also in cosmetology and medicine. Herbal teas with the participation of these plants can both improve the tone of the whole body, and have a relaxing effect after a hard day's work.
