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© Steven Foster

Lemon Balm

Botanical name: Melissa officinalis

Common name: Melissa

Parts used and where grown

The lemon balm plant originated in southern Europe and is now found throughout the world. The lemony smell and pretty white flowers of the plant have led to its widespread cultivation in gardens. The leaves, stems, and flowers of lemon balm are used medicinally.



Lemon balm has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating Health Concerns
3Stars

Cold sores (topical)
2Stars

Alzheimer's disease

Colic (in combination with vervain, licorice, and fennel)

Genital herpes (topical)
1Star

Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism)

Indigestion and heartburn

Infection (antiviral)

Insomnia

Nerve pain
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)

Charlemagne once ordered lemon balm planted in every monastery garden because of its beauty.1 It has been used traditionally by herbalists to treat gas, sleeping difficulties, and heart problems. In addition, topical applications to the temples were sometimes used by herbalists for insomnia or nerve pain.

Active constituents

The terpenes, part of the pleasant smelling volatile oil from lemon balm, are thought to produce this herb’s relaxing and gas-relieving (carminative) effects. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other compounds appear to be responsible for lemon balm’s anti-herpes and thyroid-regulating actions. Test tube studies have found that lemon balm blocks attachment of antibodies to the thyroid cells that cause Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism).2 The brain’s signal to the thyroid (thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH) is also blocked from further stimulating the excessively active thyroid gland in this disease. However, clinical trials proving lemon balm’s effectiveness in treating Grave’s disease are lacking.

One small preliminary trial studying sleep quality compared the effect of a combination product containing an extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and an extract of valerian root with that of the sleeping drug triazolam (Halcion®). The effectiveness of the herbal combination was similar to that of Halcion, as determined by the ability to fall asleep and the quality of sleep.3 Another trial also found that the same combination of valerian and lemon balm, taken over a two-week period, is effective in improving quality of sleep.4

According to double-blind research, topical use of a concentrated lemon balm extract speeds healing time of herpes simplex virus sores (cold sores) on the mouth.5 6

How much is usually taken?

The German Commission E monograph suggests 1.5–4.5 grams of lemon balm in a tea several times daily.7 The herb can be steeped for ten to fifteen minutes in 150 ml of boiling water to make the tea. Tincture can also be used at 2–3 ml three times per day. Concentrated extracts, 160–200 mg 30 minutes to one hour before bed, are sometimes recommended for insomnia. Highly concentrated topical extract ointments for herpes can be applied three to four times per day to lesions.

Lemon balm is frequently combined with other medicinal plants. For example, peppermint and lemon balm together are effective for calming upset stomach. Valerian is often combined with lemon balm for insomnia. Bugleweed(Lycopus virginicus) and lemon balm have been used together for Graves’ disease.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

There is one published report of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occurring in a person who took a supplement that contained willow bark.8 The possibility of allergy to willow bark should be considered by anyone who is allergic to aspirin or other salicylates. As with aspirin, some people may experience stomach upset from taking willow. Although such symptoms are less likely from willow than from aspirin, people with ulcers and gastritis should, nevertheless, avoid this herb.9 Again, as with aspirin, willow should not be used to treat fevers in children since it may cause Reye’s syndrome.

Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with lemon balm. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

References

1. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988, 31, 286.

2. Auf’mkolk M, Ingbar JC, Kubota K, et al. Extracts and auto-oxidized constituents of certain plants inhibit the receptor-binding and the biological activity of Graves’ immunoglobulins. Endocrinol 1985;116:1687–93.

3. Dressing H, Riemann D, Löw H, et al. Insomnia: Are valerian/balm combination of equal value to benzodiazepine? Therapiewoche 1992;42:726–36.

4. Dressing H, Köhler S, Müller WE. Improvement of sleep quality with a high-dose valerian/lemon balm preparation: A placebo-controlled double-blind study. Psychopharmakotherapie 1996;6:32–40.

5. Wöhlbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract of Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:25–31.

6. Koytchev R, Allen RG, Dundarov S. Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring Herpes labialis. Phytomed 1999;6:225–30.

7. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 160–1.

8. Boullata JI, McDonnell PJ, Oliva CD. Anaphylactic reaction to a dietary supplement containing willow bark. Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:832–5.

9. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 230.