Lemon Balm for horses and dogs

(Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is a traditional aromatic herb that has been used in Europe for centuries as part of herbal feeding. Its fresh, citrusy scent comes from the plant's natural essential oils. It is suitable as part of a varied and diverse herbal diet.

When is lemon balm used?

Lemon balm is used as part of a balanced diet, for example:

• as part of a varied herbal diet

• in the everyday life of active and sensitive animals

• during changes in the feeding season

• in situations where you want to add an aromatic plant component to the feed

The herb can be given as-is mixed into the feed or as an infusion.

Natural composition

Lemon balm naturally contains, among others:

• essential oils typically approx. 0,05–0,3 % of dry weight
  (main compounds: citral, citronellal and limonene)

• flavonoids approx. 0,5–1,5 %

• phenolic compounds, of which the most significant are rosmarinic acid and other polyphenols
  (total phenolics typically 2–6 %)

• tannins approx. 3–8 %

Content levels vary naturally depending on growing conditions and harvest.

The herb adds plant fibre as well as bioactive compounds naturally found in plants to the diet.

Use as an infusion

Dried lemon balm can be steeped in warm water (e.g. 1 dl of herb / 1 litre of water), cooled and mixed into the feed.

Composition

100 % lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Dosage:

Horse 500 kg:
½–1 dl / day

Dog:
0,1–0,3 g / kg body weight / day

For example:
10 kg dog → 1–3 g
20 kg dog → 2–6 g

1 dl ≈ 10 g

Start with a small dose and increase if needed.

Typical nutritional composition:

crude fibre approx. 20–30 %, crude protein approx. 12–18 %, crude fat approx. 3–5 %, crude ash approx. 8–12 %