Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

Latin Name: Melissa officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: Leaves and flowers.
Energetics: Bitter, astringent, sour, cold dry.
Iris: All types.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongisde Herb
  • Aciclovir
  • Diazepam
Unsure alongside Herb
  • Carbimazole
  • Diazepam

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Low thyroid activity (speculative) due to antithyrotropic effects in vitro. It blocks the conversion of thyroxin to T3 by the liver cells (also in vitro)
  • Glaucoma, due to the main essential oil raising occular pressure in very low doses (in monkeys)
  • Prostatic hyperplasia due to the volatile oils stimulating influence on oestrogen receptors.

ACTIONS

Carminative and Antispasmodic

  • Antidepressant
  • Aromatic
  • Bitter
  • Carminative
  • Stomachic
  • Dermatological agent
  • Diaphoretic
  • Febrifuge
  • Vulnerary
  • Analgesic
  • Mild sedative
  • Antihistamine
  • Anti-thyroid
  • STD’s
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-protozoal
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Hypotensive
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Parturient
  • Mild febrifuge
  • Antispasmodic

Main Constituents

  • Essential oil
  • Monoterpenes up to 40%
  • Citronellal (relaxant / sedative to CNS)
  • Cinnamic acid
  • Rosmarinic acid
  • Tannin
  • Choline
  • Melatonin

Main Uses

Lifts mood and Relieves Tension
Digestive System: Nervous stomach, Stomach cramps, Dental analgesic, Colic, IBS, Intestinal spasm
Circulatory: Nervous heart, Palpitations, Tachycardia
Mental/Emotional: Little energy, Feverishness in children, Anxiety, Depression
Nervous system: Dizziness, Migraines, Nervous excitability
Endocrine: Hyperthyroidism, Insomnia, Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhea, PMS, Menopausal flushes
Immune System: Reactions to vaccines, Influenza
Respiratory System: Catarrh, Asthma
Reproductive System: Sexual dysfunction, Nausea of pregnancy
Urinary System: Urinary infections
Essential oil: In a massage oil for period pain or in a lotion for cold sores, insect stings or bites.

Infections:
Bacteria: H. pylori, Mycobacterium, Streptococcus haemolytica.
Viruses: Herpes simplex 1 and 2, Herpes labialis, HIV, Newcastle disease, Epstein-Barr virus, Influenza, Mumps.
Protozoa: Trypanosoma brucei.
Fungi: Tinea infections (Athlete's foot, Jock itch, Scalp and Body Ringworm, Beard / Hands/ Nails).

More About Lemon Balm

The lovely fragrant lemon- scented Balm was once called ‘Melissa’ by the Greeks- the same name given to the Honey Bee. It is an amazing healing plant that is a major restorative.
It has an antispasmodic and sedative effect and acts upon the nerves, heart, blood - restoring and relaxing the two.
It is a remedy for intense emotional states of both the depressive and manic kinds, by working via the limbic system. It reduces tension and can be used to relieve headaches and migraine and relieve anxiety brought on by exam nerves. It can lift the irritability of PMS and menopausal depression. It can be useful in cases of insomnia as a mild sedative, yet it can also improve memory retention and alertness.
It is a gastrointestinal relaxant, similar to Chamomile, and can help to dispel gas, intestinal spasm, IBS, nausea and relieve pain. The mild bitterness can gently stimulate the liver, gallbladder and digestive enzymes.
The relaxant effect is helpful in cases of painful periods, and can ease the cramps of childbirth.
It is highly fragrant and the volatile oils affect the limbic system and therefore the whole person. Melissa leaf is a cardiovascular relaxant and it helps to dilate the blood vessels and therefore lowers blood pressure and assists in reducing palpitations.
It brings down fevers and aids the release of mucous in cases of coughs and colds. Antiviral against Herpes simplex, EBV, Mumps, shingles. Antibacterial against Helicobacter.
In pregnancy, Lemon balm can alleviate morning sickness and postpartum depression.

Recipes:


Lemon Balm Herbal Iced Tea:

Ingredients:

  • Lemon balm leaves
  • 1 teaball green tea, or a couple tea bags
  • 1.5 L of water

Instructions:

  • Roughly chop up your leaves and give them a quick rinse to get all the bugs off.
  • Bring about 1.5 litres of water to a boil, then turn off the heat and add the lemon balm
  • leaves and a tea ball (or a couple of tea bags) of green tea.
  • Let the green tea steep for 5-6 minutes, then remove.
  • Continue to let the lemon balm steep for up to 30 minutes.
  • Add a drizzle or two of honey if desired.
  • Strain the tea into a ½ gallon glass jar and top off with ice.
Lemon balm bug spray:

Ingredients:

  • A handful of fresh lemon balm leaves
  • A generous pinch of basil, catnip and mint

Method:

  • Stuff a glass jar full of the herb leaves, then pour witch hazel extract over them, almost to the top.
  • Cap the jar and set it in a cool, dark cupboard for a week or two. Strain and store out of heat and light.When you’re ready to mix up a fresh batch of spray, fill a small glass spray bottle half way with the infused witch hazel. Fill the rest of the bottle with water, but not quite to the top.

References


Antioxidant

Melissa officinalis L: A Review Study With an Antioxidant Prospective.
Various studies have shown that Melissa officinalis L possesses high amount of antioxidant activity through its chemical compounds including high amount of flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, gallic acid, phenolic contents. Many studies confirmed the antioxidative effects of Melissa officinalis; thus, its effect in preventing and treating oxidative stress-related diseases might be reliable.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27620926/

Depression/Anxiety/Stress

The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable angina.
At the end of the study, the intervention group receiving MO capsules had a significant reduction in scores of depression, anxiety, stress, and total sleep disturbance, compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). The results showed that 8-week supplementation with 3 g MO can decrease depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with CSA.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29908682/

Anxiety/Sleep disorders

Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances.
Our study demonstrates, for the first time that chronic administration of Melissa officinalis L. relieves stress-related effects.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22207903/

Salivary Antioxidants

Does Melissa officinalis consumption improve the salivary antioxidant status of smokers?
The mean values of total antioxidant capacity of saliva were significantly higher in days 15 and 30 from the baseline. (p<0.0001, P=0.006). In day 30, the mean value of antioxidant was not significantly different from day 15. (P=0.271). Melissa officinalis tea consumption increases salivary antioxidants level in smokers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33680387/

Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension

Effect of Melissa officinalis on systolic and diastolic blood pressures in essential hypertension: A double-blind crossover clinical trial.
According to the results, M. officinalis can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the patients with essential hypertension.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34766389/

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