Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Main active constituents
Citronellal, Triterpenens, Geranial, Neral, Rosmarinic acid, Geraniol, Flavonoids, Polyphenols.
Physiological Effects
Parts Used: Leaves
Traditional Use and Health Benefits
For more than 2,000 years Lemon Balm has been cultivated as a culinary and medicinal plant. Herbalists in the Renaissance period held this herb in high regard for its healing ability, with many attributing to it the potential for a long life when taken every day in elixir form. The Lemon Balm herb has typically been used to make tea, tinctures and the oil extracted to make a wonderfully fresh, lemony essential oil that is known as Melissa Essential Oil.
People throughout Europe have been using Lemon Balm for centuries as a digestive aid and to calm frazzled nerves. It was traditionally used to treat headaches, migraines, stomach cramps and urinary infections amongst other things.
Lemon Balm Benefits
Digestive Health Lemon Balm is what's known as a "carminative herb", meaning it can relieve stagnant digestion, ease abdominal cramping, and promote the overall digestive process. The volatile oils in Lemon Balm contain chemicals known as “terpenes” that relax muscles and relieve symptoms such as excess gas.
Lemon Balm contains both “choleretics” and “colagogues”, which may also help with liver and gall bladder problems. Bile is produced in the liver, stored in the gall bladder and then released into the small intestine to digest fats. A choleretic stimulates production of bile whilst a colagogue enhances the expulsion of bile from the gall bladder. The primary Lemon Balm constituents in these categories are; caffeic acid, eugenol, chlorogenic acid and P-coumaric acid, which enhance the content of digestive juices thus improving the digestion of food.
For digestive relief, Lemon Balm is best consumed as a tea taken immediately after meals. Alternatively, Melissa essential oil can be massaged into the abdomen to stimulate the digestive process. If the oil is "food grade", it can be taken internally where it can help to maintain the proper flow of gastric juices and bile into the stomach.
Anxiety/Insomnia Lemon Balm contains the active compound "rosmarinic acid" - an enzyme which effectively increases GABA (gamma amino-butyric acid) in the brain. GABA is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters, used by the brain to prevent over-excitement and attain balance. It is responsible for ensuring that we are not overly stressed and plays a role in sleep cycles. Increasing stimulation of GABA receptors will produce a sedative or calming effect and explains why Lemon Balm works well as an anti-anxiety herb.
The difference between Lemon Balm being an effective anti-anxiety herb and a sleep aid is dosage. It combines extremely well with the herb Valerian, with several studies showing that these two herbs combined can induce a deep and restful night’s sleep.
Melissa essential oil can be diffused in an aromatherapy oil burner to uplift the mood, promote emotional balance and a restful night's sleep. A couple of dabs of diluted oil on the back of the ears or neck can also help to overcome nervousness and anxiety.
Neuroprotective The aforementioned “rosmarinic acid” has also been found to exert neuroprotective effects, helping to protect the cells of the brain thereby potentially slowing down the aging of this all important organ. Researchers in India found that rosmarinic acid reduces free radicals, as well as protecting the nerve cells in the brain from deterioration. Lemon Balm also contains powerful antioxidants such as “eugenol” which intercept free radicals before they can attack brain cells.
Thyroid Research suggests that the flavonoids, phenolic acids and other compounds found in this versatile herb appear to be responsible for Lemon Balm's thyroid-regulating actions. Test tube studies have found that Lemon Balm blocks the attachment of antibodies to the thyroid cells that cause Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism). 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.
Melissa (Lemon Balm) Essential Oil Melissa essential oil is a wonderful aromatherapy oil to promote emotional well-being, uplift and improve mood and help you drift off into a deep relaxing sleep. A couple of dabs of diluted Melissa essential oil to the back of the ears or neck can help to overcome vertigo, dizziness, nervousness, anxiety, nausea and vomiting.
Contraindications/Precautions
When taken by mouth, Lemon balm is likely safe when used in food amounts and when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts, short-term. It's been used safely in research for up to 4 months. Side effects are generally mild and may including increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and wheezing. Not enough is known about the safety of lemon balm when used long-term.
When applied to the skin, Lemon balm is likely safe for adults in medicinal amounts. It may cause skin irritation and increased cold sore symptoms.
Disclaimer
This information is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.