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 ETYMOLOGY
The sweet smell of Lemon Balm’s flowers are known to attract bees, hence the genus name Melissa (Greek for 'honey bee').
BOTANICAL INFORMATION
Family: Lamiaceae
Description: Lemon Balm grows to a full height between 70-150 cm. The leaves have a gentle lemon scent, with an undertone of mint. At the end of the summer, the plant produces small white flowers.
Habitat: Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Cultivation: A plant that prefers well-drained, sandy soil. In a warm climate, it can be harvested through the end of November. While it prefers full sun, it is moderately shade-tolerant, unlike most herbs. In dry climates, it in fact grows best in partial shade. It can also be easily grown as an indoor potted herb. In mild temperate zones, the stems of the plant die off at the start of the winter, but shoot up again in spring. It can be easily grown from stem cuttings rooted in water, or from seeds. Under ideal conditions, it will seed itself prolifically.
Method of Harvest:
Lemon balm can be harvested once or twice a week. Frequent trimming in fact encourages branching and will yield a bushy, compact plant. For a dried product, harvest at least twice a season just as the plant comes into bloom. An acre may produce 1000 pounds or more of dried herb. Care must be taken to not bruise the leaves during harvesting and drying operations to retain medicinal potency. Although lemon balm dries quickly and easily, it is not as fragrant dried as it is fresh. It can be dried outside in partial shade but will brown quickly with moisture. Plants may also be hung in bunches and air dried or oven dried on screens. When dry, store in tightly closed containers.
Parts Utillized: Leaves.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Recently it has been demonstrated that the polyphenols in lemon balm (above all rosmarinic acid) are responsible for the antioxidant activity exhibited.
MODE OF ACTION
Actions: Strengthens the nervous system, enhances digestion, acts as an anti-spasmodic, and can help to ease emotional upset.
Precautions: None of significance; lemon balm is considered safe even for infants, the elderly, and the infirm. However, some people with low thyroid function may find that lemon balm may aggrevate their condition if taken for more than a few days at a time. Lemon balm should be avoided by those on thyroid medication (such as thyroxine) as it is believed that the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.
COMMON INDICATIONS
As a medicinal herb: Lemon Balm is approved by ESCOP and the Commission E of German BGA monographs for the support of a healthy nervous system and to promote restful sleep. Lemon Balm is also used medicinally as a herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties, and it is also used as a mild sedative or calming agent. The extract of Lemon balm also demonstrates high antioxidant activity. Lemon balm has been mentioned as exhibiting anti-thyrotropic activity, inhibiting TSH from attaching to TSH receptors, hence making it of possible use in the treatment of Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism.
Traditional uses:
Lemon Balm leaves have been traditionally used for nervous stomach and lower abdominal and functional gastrointestinal health, especially when associated with tension and irritability. In folk medicine, the herb is prepared as a decoction for agitated nerves.
PREPARATION AND USE
Internal Use: 2 grams of herb per day (powder, crushed, cut, or whole) Infusion: 2 grams in 150 ml of water.
External Use: The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, can be used as a repellant for mosquitos. Additionally, lemon balm essential oil is very popular in aromatherapy; it is commonly co-distilled with lemon oil, citronella oil, or other oils for topical use.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Dioscorides recommended the use of lemon balm either alone or soaked in wine to be applied to bites, scorpion stings, and wounds to prevent infection. Dioscorides also reccommended drinking lemon balm infused in wine while poulticing the external wound site with the lemon balm. Herbalist John Parkinson recommended lemon balm steeped in ale for “qualms or passions of the heart”. According to Culpepper, Dioscorides recommended…”the Decoction (of lemon balm) there of for Women to bath or set in to procure their courses…”. Culpepper also recommends feeding a woman in childbirth a caudle (custard) made with eggs, lemon balm juice, rose, and sugar to assist with the expulsion of the after birth. Additionally, Culpepper states that lemon balm “being made into and Electuary is good for them that cannot fetch their Breath.” Lemon Balm tea has been commonly used for digestive upset or food overindulgences.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
References
“Bioassay-guided fractionation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using an in vitro measure of GABA transaminase activity.” Phytother Res. 2009 Aug;23(8):1075-81.
“Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.” J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):71-114
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