Lemon Balm ~ Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm

Latin name: Melissa officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: flowering herb

Habitat: common in Britain, Europe, W. Asia, and N. Africa

Main constituents: volatile oil, flavonoids, polyphenolics (caffeic acid), triterpene acids

Energetics: slightly warming

Main herbal actions: nervine, sedative, mild antidepressant, carminative, febrifuge, diaphoretic

Minor herbal actions: antispasmodic, vasodilating hypotensive

Main medicinal uses: psychiatric disorders including vegetative dystonia; hyperthyroidism, digestive problems, colds, migraines, insomnia

Minor medicinal uses: depression, hypertension, herpes simplex

Preparations: infusion: 1 tsp/cup water; 1:0.8 tincture: 10-60 gtt qd-qid, lotion or wash for herpes

Contraindications: pregnancy, hypothyroidism

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations