Botanical Name
- Family Labiatae
- Melissa officinalis
Common Names
- Common balm, Sweet Balm, Balm, Sweet Mary, Honey Plant, Cure-all, Dropsy Plant, Melissa
Cautions
Because of its sedating effect, it should not be taken before operating machinery or by anyone who must remain alert.
The herb may also affect the actions of tranquilizers and sedatives.
Because of its possible effects on the uterus and the body’s hormone balance, it should not be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Description
Indigenous to southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, western Asia, and North Africa, lemon balm now grows worldwide. It is a perennial, growing to about five feet with tiny white flowers and deeply veined, toothed leaves that have a distinctive lemony scent. The aerial parts are harvested from early summer onward, but are best just before the flowers open when the concentration of volatile oil is at its highest. In order to grow lemon balm in a garden, it must be controlled as it can be an invasive plant, but one well worth having.
Key Actions
- antiviral
- antibacterial
- antidepressant
- antispasmodic
- antihistamine
- carminative
- digestive stimulant
- promotes sweating
- relaxes peripheral blood vessels
- restorative for nervous system
- sedative
- tonic
Key Components
- volatile oil (including citronellal, citral, caryophyllene oxide and linalool)
- polyphenols
- tannins
- bitter principle
- flavonoids (especially quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin)
- rosmarinic acid
Medicinal Parts
Aerial parts, essential oil
New research has proven the polyphenols in lemon balm to be antiviral and effective against the herpes simplex virus, Newcastle disease, mumps, and vaccinia.
Research has also shown that the volatile oil, particularly citral and citronellal, calm the central nervous system; but the oil is also strongly antispasmodic and, therefore, useful in treating emotional distresses.
Citronellal is a pleasant smelling oil that has become a popular mosquito repellent.
Rosmarinic acid has proven to reduce smooth muscle spasms and may be responsible for easing intestinal and menstrual cramps.
Remedies
Infusions of fresh leaves are used for depression, nervous exhaustion, indigestion, nausea, and the early stages of colds or flu.
Tinctures are best when made with fresh leaves. They are used for the same conditions as infusions, but small doses are usually more effective.
Compresses are soaked in infusions to relieve such painful swellings as gout.
Ointments are used on sores, insect bites, or to repel insects.
Essential oil can also be used on shingles (5 drops to 1 tsp. olive oil and gently massage into area). Note that the commercial lemon balm essential oil is difficult to find, and most are adulterated with lemon or lemongrass oils.
Infused oil is used warm to hot as a gentle massage oil for depression, tension, asthma, and bronchitis.
Juice can be applied to cuts and scrapes.
Lotions made from an infusion can be applied to cold sores.
Traditional Uses
There is some evidence that the herb inhibits the production of thyroid hormones and is the traditional treatment for hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease.
It is also used to relax the heart and relieve palpitations, heal wounds, and stop the pain of toothaches and shingles.
Lemon balm makes a good first-aid remedy for cuts and insect stings, as well as for fevers.
Applications of lemon balm cream to a cold sore or other herpes sores when the warning tingling is first felt, appears to reduce the size and hasten the healing.
It is sometimes combined with other herbs to treat digestive upsets or taken with valerian to relieve insomnia and tension.
In Venezuela, the plant is used to aid digestion and to help overweight people shed a few pounds. It is also applied to any skin problems, including wounds, sores, and skin ulcers.
South Americans use it to treat a variety of nervous complaints and symptoms of stress.
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