LEMONBALM MELISSA OFFICINALIS

LEMONBALM (Melissa officinalis L.) +++

Activities (Lemonbalm)
Analgesic (1; JAR10:7); Antibacterial (1; APA; BGB; PH2; WAM); Anticholinesterase (1; JAD); Antiherpetic (1; APA; PNC); Antihistaminic (1; FAD); Antihormonal (1; PH2); Antiinflammatory (1; JAR10:7); Antimutagenic (1; TAD); Antioxidant (1; FAD; PH2); Antipyretic (f; PNC); Antiseptic (f; APA); Antispasmodic (1; APA; BGB; FEL; PHR; PH2; WAM); Antithyroid (1; AKT; PNC); Antiviral (1; APA; PHR; PH2; SHT; WAM); Aperitif (1; BGB); Calmative (f; APA); Cardiotonic (f; MAD); Carminative (2; KOM; PH2; PNC; WAM); Cerebrotonic (f; MAD); Cholinergic (1; BGB); CNS Depressant (f; APA); Diaphoretic (f; BGB; FEL; PNC; WAM); Fungicide (1; JBU); Gastrotonic (f; MAD); Hypnotic (f; BGB); Memorigenic (1; BGB); Myorelaxant (1; APA); Nervine (1; WAM); Sedative (2; HHB; KOM; PNC); Stimulant (f; FEL); Stomachic (f; BGB); Tranquilizer (1; APA); Uterotonic (f; MAD).

Indications (Lemonbalm)
Allergy (1; JAR10:7); Alopecia (f; MAD); Alzheimers (1; FNF; JAD; MAD); Angina (f; MAD); Anorexia (1; BGB); Anxiety (1; APA; BGB; WAM); Asthma (f; MAD); Atherosclerosis (f; MAD); Bacteria (1; APA; BGB; PH2; WAM); Bite (f; MAD); Bronchosis (f; PHR; PH2); Bruise (f; MAD); Bug Bite (f; FAD; MAD); Cancer (1; JLH; MAD; TAD); Cancer, gum (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Cancer, stomach (f; JLH); Cancer, throat (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; APA); Catarrh (f; PHR; PH2); CFS (f; WAF); Chlorosis (f; MAD); Cold (1; FAD); Cold Sore (2; APA; WAF); Colic (f; MAD); Cramp (1; APA; BGB; FEL; MAD; PHR; PH2; WAM); Cystosis (f; JAR10:7); Debility (f; PH2); Depression (f; BGB; MAD); Dermatosis (1; JAR10:7); Dysmenorrhea (f; APA; FAD; FEL; PH2); Dyspepsia (2; APA; BGB; SKY); Dystonia (1; PNC); Earache (f; MAD); Eczema (1; JAR10:7); Enterosis (2; KOM; MAD; PH2); Fever (1; BGB; FEL; PNC; WAM); Flu (1; WAF); Fungus (1; JBU); Gas (2; APA; KOM; MAD; PHR; PH2; WAM); Gastrosis (2; KOM; MAD; PH2); Gastrospasm (2; SHT); Gingivosis (f; MAD); Graves Disease (1; PNC; SKY); Gray Hair (f; MAD); Headache (1; APA; MAD; PH2; PNC); Hepatosis (f; MAD); Herpes (1; APA; BGB; PNC; WAM); High Blood Pressure (f; PHR; PH2); Hyperthyroid (1; FNF; PNC); Hyperventilation (f; JAR10:7); Hypochondria (f; MAD); Hysteria (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Infection (1; JBU); Inflammation (1; JAR10:7); Insomnia (2; APA; HHB; KOM; PH2; PNC; SHT); Melancholy (f; PHR; PH2); Migraine (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Mumps (1; FAD); Mycosis (1; JBU); Nausea (f; PHR; WAF); Nervousness (2; APA; HHB; KOM; PHR; PH2; PNC; WAM); Neuralgia (1; PH2; SKY); Neurasthenia (f; MAD); Ophthalmia (f; MAD); Otosis (1; WAF); Pain (1; JAR10:7; MAD; PH2); Palpitation (1; APA; PHR; PH2; PNC); Respirosis (1; JAR10:7; WAM); Restlessness (1; PNC); Rheumatism (f; MAD; PH2); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Shingles (1; WAF); Shock (1; JAR10:7); Snakebite (f; MAD); Sore (1; WAM); Sore Throat (1; WAF); Splenosis (f; MAD); Sting (f; BGB; MAD); Stress (1; WAF); Swelling (f; MAD); Syncope (f; MAD); Toothache (f; MAD); Tumor (1; PNC); Vertigo (f; PH2); Virus (1; APA; JAR10:7 PHR; PH2; SHT; WAM); Vomiting (f; PH2); Wound (f; APA; BGB).

Dosages (Lemonbalm)
1 - 3 tsp herb/cup water (APA); 1.5 - 2 g/cup tea (HHB); 1.5 - 4.5 g/cup water (KOM); 2 - 3 tsp (3.2 - 4.8 g) hot tea/day (MAD); 8 - 10 g herb (PHR); 2 - 6 ml liquid herb extract (PNC); 0.5 - 1.5 tsp tincture 3 ×/day (APA); 2 - 3 ml tincture 3 ×/day (PNC).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Lemonbalm)
Class 1 (AHP). None known (KOM; PHR; WAM). Safer than coffee in my book and in AHPs book as well. People with glaucoma should avoid the EO, citral may raise ocular eye pressure (JAR10:7; SKY). At high doses (185 mg/kg/day/3 months, citral may produce benign prostatic hyperplasia (JAR10:7). APA advises patients with Graves disease to avoid the herb, while PHR indicates some potential for utility. Most of my readings suggest its use in Graves disease.

Extracts (Lemonbalm)
Hot water extracts have antiviral properties. Creams containing extracts proven effective for cutaneous lesions of the Herpes simplex virus (antiviral activity confirmed in vitro and via clinical trials). Aqueous extracts inhibit cell division of tumor cells; tannin-free extracts inhibit protein synthesis in cell-free systems of rat liver (PNC). Spirits of Melissa demonstrated effective in psychiatric disorders (dystonia, headache, hyperexcitability, palpitation, restlessness) (PNC). Recent British studies indicate that extracts inhibit breakdown of acetylcholine in human brain cell cultures (Perry et al.). Constituents block attachment to thyroid cells of the antibodies that cause Graves disease; the brains signal to the thyroid (TSH) is blocked from further overstimulating the thyroid (SKY). Whole EO is more spasmolytic than isolated ingredients; neral and geranial is more spasmolytic than beta-caryophyllene or citronellal. EO is sedative in mice at 1 mg/kg, more so than at 3 mg/kg. Sedative effects kick in after 30 - 60 minutes and endure about an hour (JAR10:7). Citronellol, beta-caryophyllene, and citronellal are active against Candida, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus (JAR10:7).