Authors: Martha A. Maguire,
Pharm.D. Candidate, Lana Dvorkin, Pharm.D,
Julia Whelan, MS
Overview
Lemon balm is a lemon-scented
perennial. Leaves are light green, quilted,
slightly hairy, jagged-edged, egg-shaped;
and (typical of herbaceous mints), arranged
in opposing pairs on square stems. Plant
part used is leaf and leaf oil. Tibetan
medicine has used it for more than 3,000
years as an incense; burnt to ease psychological
problems.1 Charlemagne once ordered
Lemon Balm planted in every monastery
garden. Generic name Melissa is Greek
for bee; crushed fresh leaves were rubbed
on beehives to encourage bees to return
to hives. The dainty, white, summer
flowers also attract bees. The extract
of Lemon balm and oil are used for flavoring.
They are often found in foods and beverages.
Inhalation-- aroma therapy for Alzheimer's
disease
Topically- on cold sores (herpes labialis),
wounds/surgical dressings (balsamic
oils of aromatic plants make excellent
surgical dressings: give off ozone and
thus exercise anti-putrescent effects.
Being chemical hydrocarbons, they contain
so little oxygen that the atomic germs
of disease are starved out; resinous
parts of these balsamic oils, as they
dry upon the sore/wound, seal it up
and effectually exclude all noxious
air).2
Distribution
From (Eastern Mediterranean)
southern Europe and northern Africa;
spread to England, northern Europe and
North America.3
Active Ingredients
Plant part used -- leaf
and leaf oil. Flavors from: the terpenes
citronellal, citronellol, citral, and
geraniol.
Chemical Composition: caffeic acid (a
tannin), several flavonoids (luteolin-7-O-glucoside,
isoquercitrin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside,
and rhamnocitrin), rosmarinic acid,
ferulic acid, methyl carnosoate, hydroxycinnamic
acid, and 2-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3-benzodioxole-5-aldehyde.
The essential oil (0.19% v/w; obtained
by a water distillation method) from
the flowers contains various aldehydes:
geranial (major constituent in oil),
citronellal, beta-caryophyllene, neral,
and geranyl acetate.4
Steam distilled from tops and tender
green leaves produces small quantity
of oil up to 0.02%. Mainly Geraniol,
linalool, with citronellol and citronellal.
Proven Scientific Evidence
Alzheimer's Disease patients
who took a standardized extract of lemon
balm orally daily for four months appeared
to have reduced agitation and Alzheimer's
symptoms.
Lip balm containing 1% lemon balm appears
to decrease healing time, prevent infection
spread and decrease symptoms of recurrence
in cold sores, herpes labialis.
A multi-centered blinded placebo controlled
trial of dried extract of Melissa officinalis
shows efficacy in the treatment of Herpes
simplex infection is best achieved at
the onset of infection. .
Animal trials show neurotropic action
and sedative properties.
In vitro research has shown activity
of lemon balm against thyroid autoantibodies
present in Grave's disease patients
from stimulating thyroid activity.
Additional properties described in the
scientific literature include treatment
of insomnia, amoebicidal activity, antifungal
activity, reduction of symptoms in herpes
simplex infection, and anti-inflammatory
activity. The German Commission E approves
lemon balm use for nervous disorders,
as a soporific and in gastrointestinal
disorders.
Dosage Information
Tea /Capsule/Powder: 1.5-4.5
grams (dried) in a tea (steeped 10 to
15 minutes in 150 ml of boiling water)
several times daily.
Cream: 70:1 lypolized aqueous extract
is thickly applied 2 to 4 times per
day to lesions.
Tincture: 1-3 ml three times per day.
Concentrated extracts: 60 drops/day
(1:1 in 45% alcohol). 80 lemon balm
plus 120 mg valerian 3 times per day
for up to 30 days.
Essential Oil: inhale
Toxicities
Long-term use unknown /Safety
known-- up to 4 months
Adverse effects include gastrointestinal
symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal pain. Other symptoms can be
dizziness and wheezing. Two case studies
describe topical irritation and possible
exacerbation of herpes symptoms. People
with glaucoma should avoid Lemon Balm
volatile oil as animal studies have
shown that it may raise pressure in
the eye. Theoretical interactions: 5-HTP,
calamus, California poppy, catnip, hops,
Jamaican dogwood, kava, lavender, St.
John's wort, scullcap, valerian, yerba
mansa. Possible Additive effects - alcohol
(ethanol), drugs with sedative effects
(CNS depressants, Antihistamines, Phenobarbital,
Narcotics and other sedatives)
Where Sold
Health food stores, Organic
Markets, On-line, some pharmacies
Available as:3, 5
Herpalieve® cream
-Phytopharmica--Contains allantoin 1%
and M. officianalis extract 70:1, in
a base of white paraffin, contains benzyl
alcohol.
Herpilyn® cream
-Enzymatic Therapy--Contains allantoin
1% and M. officianalis extract 70:1,
in a base of white paraffin, contains
benzyl alcohol.
Melissa Leaves Capsules
-Nature's Way--A non-standardized oral
formula, contains roughly 490 mg of
dried lemon balm leaves per capsule.
Capsules may be opened and used as tea.
4. Lemon Balm Monograph. AltMedDex®
System. Thomson Micromedex, Greenwood
Village, CO. Available at: Accessed
August 10, 2005.
5. Abt L., Hammerly M. (. AltMedDex®
System. [Internet]. Greenwood Village,
Colorado: MICROMEDEX; 2004 vol. 119,
3/2004.
6. Wolbling, R.H., Leonhardt, K. Local
Therapy of Herpes Simplex with Dried
Extract from Melissa Officinalis.
Phytomedicine. 1994;1:25-31.
7. Allahverdiyev A, Duran N, Ozguven
M, Koltas S. Antiviral Activity of
the Volatile Oils of Melissa Officinalis
L. Against Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2.
Phytomedicine. 2004;11(7-8):657-61.
8. Basta A, Tzakou O, Couladis M.
Composition of the Leaves Essential
Oil of Melissa Officinalis s. l. from
Greece. Flavour & Fragrance Journal.
2005;20(6):642-4.
9. Holmes C, Ballard C. Aromatherapy
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