Moldavian Dragonhead

Effects and Use:

The tips and leaves of dragonhead contain 0.2–0.7% essential oil; the entire herb about 0.1–0.2%. The essential oil includes 30% citral (gives the lemon scent), 45% geranyl acetate, 11% geraniol, 3% neryl acetate, and 0.4% neral. Bitter substances are absent. Seeds contain 20% fixed oil.

These components yield effects similar to lemon balm: mildly antispasmodic in the digestive tract, carminative, and bile-stimulating. Dragonhead is used in digestive tea blends (stomach, liver, gallbladder), the food industry (as a flavoring agent), and in preparations such as liqueurs, vermouths, and soft drinks. Due to its intense perfume-like flavor, it is best used in tea blends, not alone.