Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family and is considered a calming herb. The herb is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, but it’s grown around the world.

Lemon Balm has been used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote healthy sleep, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).

Today, Lemon balm is not only in herb gardens to attract bees, but it’s also available in homeopathic remedies and as aromatherapy in essential oils. Additionally, it can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including insomnia, cold sores, high cholesterol, heartburn, and indigestion.

Lemon balm leaves contain plant chemicals called terpenes, which play at least some role in the herb's relaxing and antiviral effects. Lemon balm contains substances called tannins, which may be responsible for many of the herb's antiviral effects. Lemon balm also contains eugenol, which calms muscle spasms, numbs tissues, and kills bacteria.

Thanks to rosmarinic acid, which is found in lemon balm, the brain can increase the availability of neurotransmitters known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Low levels of GABA in the brain is believed to be associated with anxiety and other mood disorders.

Lemon Balm aids in sleep by acting directly on GABA receptors in the brain, delivering a mild sedative effect while stimulating the production of the "feel-good" hormone serotonin. Rosmarinic acid found in Lemon Balm, has potent antiviral properties that may aid in the treatment of certain viral infections. Most of the current evidence is limited to test tube studies in which rosmarinic acid appears to inhibit a broad range of common viruses, such as coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, and hepatitis B.

There is evidence that Lemon Balm can also help treat symptoms of dyspepsia (upset stomach), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and acid reflux. In addition to rosmarinic acid, Lemon Balm contains citral, citronellal, linalool, geraniol, and beta-caryophyllene, each of which has spasmolytic (anti-spasm) and carminative (anti-gas) properties.

One third of all Ecuadorian plant species have been used by people and nowadays the use of medicinal plants is still an important feature of traditional medicine, which is practiced daily in many indigenous communities and urban populations of all social classes.

The Andean Blueberry or Mortiño plant is a wild, woody shrub native to the equatorial Andes, and grows between 2800 and 4000 meters above sea level. The growth region extends from the northern border with Colombia through all provinces of the central highlands of Ecuador including Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, and Bolívar.

Hand harvesting of the fruit usually occurs twice a year. The first harvest is in March and April and the second is between October and November. During the second harvest, Andean Blueberries are used to prepare colada morada, a traditional Ecuadorian drink made for the Day of the Dead Holidays.

Andean Blueberries have been shown to be exceptional superfoods since they provide significant health benefits for several chronic conditions, including obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. This is due to their high content in phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fiber and the interactive synergies among their phytochemical components. Andean Blueberry has high concentrations of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, antioxidants, anthocyanins, and flavonoids with potential beneficial effects on human health. Phytochemical studies have reported anti-inflammatory, tumor suppressing, and blood sugar regulation properties, and have been shown to inhibit lipidic accumulation in human cells. This fruit is also high in phosphorus, fiber, calcium, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin C.

Phosphorus is a mineral that helps to improve memory and also serves for formation and fixation of calcium in the bones. It is also a rich source of vitamin C, so it acts as an antioxidant that helps to prevent infections. Since it contains vitamin B, it is good to regulate the nervous system and helps to boost depression symptoms. Fiber stimulates digestion and prevents constipation.