Lemon Balm – Herbal Monograph

Lemon Balm, or Melissa Officinalis, was called “the elixir of life” by Paracelsus, a 16th century Swiss physician who is often called the Father of Toxicology (study of poisons). He believed that Lemon Balm would increase overall vitality and lengthen one’s life. It has also been used traditionally for improving gout, headaches, neuralgia and to promote relaxation.

Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family

Actions

  • Cold sores & Herpes
  • Antiviral
  • Shingles
  • Mildly sedative
  • Uplifting
  • Carminative (gas and bloating)
  • Diaphoretic (Fever)
  • Antispasmodic
  • Antioxidant
  • Antimicrobial
  • Radioprotective
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Dementia
  • ADHD
  • Hyperactivity
  • Focus
  • Impulsiveness
  • Stress
  • Asthma
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Shock
  • Vertigo
  • Nervous conditions
  • Gout
  • Insect bites
  • Hypertension
  • Skin infections
  • Wounds
  • Menstrual issues
  • Digestive
  • Neuralgia
  • Trophorestorative (Nervous System tonic)
  • Vasodilator (why it is often used for headache)
  • Memory
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Heart tonic, for calming over stimulation
  • Heart palpitations
  • AFIB
  • Hypertension
  • Colds
  • Stomach issues
  • Great for kids (soothing, calming)
  • Nightmares
  • Colic remedy

Parts Used

Leaves, aerial parts

Energetics

Cold, drying, slightly bitter, sour

Dosing

Can take as capsules, lip or skin balm, tincture (2-6 ml 3x day, 1:5 ratio in 40% alcohol), tea (6-12 g dried aerial parts/day in 1-3 doses)

Options for using Lemon Balm

ADHD & Dementia

“Lemon balm tincture taken daily and lemon balm cream applied topically long-term, improved quality of life and decreased dementia ratings in seniors in two separate studies (Akhondzadeh et al., 2003; Ballard et al., 2002). In ADHD in children, researchers paired lemon balm with valerian root. The combo reduced school children’s poor ability to focus from 75 to 14%, hyperactivity from 61 to 13%, and impulsiveness from 59 to 22% (Gromball et al., 2014). Another study found that the combination reduced hyperactivity, attention deficits, and impulsivity in children (Ross, 2015).”

The Herbal Academy, in article titled 3 Calming Herbs to Support ADHD and Cognition

Cold Sores and Herpes

“Lemon balm helps protect against herpes simplex virus. Researchers also found that treating a cold sore with lemon balm in its early stages was most effective. Lemon balm has been shown to reduce healing time and some symptoms of cold sores.“

Healthline article titled, Treating Cold Sores in the Early Stages: Everything You Need to Know

Safety

Generally considered safe. Can be used with babies, children, pregnancy, and nursing. Consult your health care practitioner to confirm any possible contraindications.

References

  1. https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/3-calming-herbs-to-support-adhd/
  2. https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/lemon-balm
  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-a-cold-sore-in-the-early-stages

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