Are Holy Basil and Lemon Balm in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Lamiaceae.

Can you substitute Holy Basil for Lemon Balm?

They share the Lamiaceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Holy Basil vs Lemon Balm

Ocimum tenuiflorum · Melissa officinalis

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

C Limited Evidence

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Ocimum
Primary use: culinary & medicinal

Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as tulasi, tulsi, or holy basil, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is widely cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific.…

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

C Limited Evidence

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Melissa
Primary use: culinary & medicinal

Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family. It has lemon-scented leaves, white or pale pink flowers, and contains essential oils and compounds like geranial and neral. It grows to a maximum height of 1 m. The species is native to south-central Europe, the Medit…

At a glance

· Both in Lamiaceae, but different genera (Ocimum vs Melissa).
· Both are primarily both.
· Evidence tiers — Holy Basil: C; Lemon Balm: C.