Plant Family: Labiatae

Common Names: Balm, Balm Mint, , Bee Balm, Blue Balm, Cure-all, Honey Plant, Melissa, Melisse, Scholars Herb, Sweet Balm   

Origin: Native to the mountainous areas of Southern Europe

History: The name Melissa comes from the Greek word for 'bee', and Balm is an abbreviation of 'Balsam', a sweet smelling oil. The old herbalists knew it as Bawm.

It was used extensively by the Arabians and Greeks in ancient times, and was used in early herbalism for all 'complaints supposed to proceed from a disordered state of the nervous system'. It was been used in the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety.

Astrologically it was placed 'under the power of Jupiter as a strong blood and heart restorative'.

In early times it was used:

• to make the mind and heart merry
• to help people who sleep too much
• to drive out cares and melancholy

Tradition: Lemon Balm was used in spells

• for healing 
• to bring success
• to find love and friendship
  

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• Balsamic Oil
• bitters
• eugenol
• tannins

Essential Oil

• terpenes

Dosage:

Recommended dosage is as follows:

For difficulty sleeping, stomach complaints, flatulence or bloating:

• 1.5 to 4.5g/day dried herb as a tea 3/daily
• 2 to 3 mL/day 1:2 fluid extract
• Capsules as directed

For cold sores or herpes sores:

• Steep 2 to 4 tsp of crushed leaf in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, cool and apply with cotton balls to the sores

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Whole herb

Lemon Balm is used to treat children with:  

colds
colic
fever
influenza

In adults Lemon Balm is used for:

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• Alzheimer's disease
• attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• calms nervous people
• depression
• helps reduce anxiety
• helps tired brains
• hysteria
• insomnia
• lifts the spirits
• melancholia
• migraine headaches
• nervous tension
• sharpens memory and understanding
• stress related conditions

Cardiovascular System Conditions

• tones the circulatory system

Female Conditions

• cleanses the womb after a miscarriage or abortion, especially if combined with Basil
• expels afterbirth
• flatulence (gas/wind)
• headaches and dizziness during pregnancy
• induces menstruation
• menstrual cramps

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• abdominal crampscolic
• eases pain and discomfort associated with digestion
• flatulence and bloating
• improves appetite
• indigestion
• maintains the health of the digestive system
• nausea and vomiting
• nervous dyspepsia
• nervous stomachs
• relieves spasms of the digestive tract

Genitourinary Conditions

• gout

Glandular Conditions

• hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease)

Inflammatory Conditions

• catarrh

Muscular Conditions

• calms muscle spasms

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• certain forms of asthma
• chronic bronchial catarrh
• clears the head
• colds
• influenza

Viral and Bacterial Conditions

• cold sores
• fights infectious bacteria
• genital herpes
• herpes simplex
• HIV
• kills bacteria

Other Conditions

• fevers and feverish conditions
• headaches
• hyperthyroidism
• induces perspiration
• numbs tissues
• relieves pain caused by external force

It is used as a gargle or mouthwash for:

• aching teeth
• sore, inflamed throats

Externally to aid in healing the crushed leaves are applied to:

• boils
• insect bites
• sores
• stings
• tumors
• wounds

In aromatherapy the essential oil (Melissa), is used for:

• depression

Other Uses:

• Attracts bees to gardens
• Cosmetics
• Furniture polish
• Grown in gardens to benefit other plants and entice bees
• Herb Pillows
• Potpourri

Action:

• anesthetic [an agent that deadens sensation without loss of vital function]
• antibacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
• antioxidant [contributing to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia]
• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• antiviral [an agent that destroys viruses]
• calmative [an agent that has a mild sedative or tranquilizing effect]
• carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
• diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
• emmenagogue [an agent that promotes menstrual flow]
• febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]

Precautions

Caution:

No side effects or symptoms of toxicity have been reported with use of Lemon Balm

It should not be used by:

• pregnant or breastfeeding women

Drug Interactions

Do not use Lemon Balm without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you taking any of the following medications:

Lemon Balm may interfere with efficacy of:

• Sedatives (for sleep disorders or anxiety)
• Thyroid medications to regulate your thyroid