Melissa officinalis, Lemon balm
- Belongs to the family Lamiaceae (mint family).
- Native to Southern Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and Iran. Today the herb has been naturalized around the world.
- Type: Herbaceous perennial.
- Sun: Full sun to part shade.
- Bloom Time: June to August.
Physical Description:
Lemon balm is a small leafy green herb that typically grows between 1.5-2.0 feet tall. Its leaves are serrated and opposite. Its blossoms are small and white with bilateral symmetry. If you rub the leaves they will give off a tart and sweet smell similar to lemons, hence its name.
Brief History:
Unlike many famous medicinal plants, this herb does not have the same rich ancient history. Lemon balm traces its medicinal roots sometime in the middle ages, possibly earlier when it was steeped in wine and used to treat venomous bites and stings and heal wounds. Cultivation began around the 16th century. Although this plant is native to southern Europe it is now commonly grown all around the world and used to treat a variety of conditions.
Traditional Uses:
The most common uses today are treatment of cold sores or herpes sores topically or, combined with other soothing herbs like chamomile and valerian to promote relaxation and sleep as well as decrease anxiety. It is also believed that lemon balm can improve appetite and help with bloating and indigestion. However, little research has been done to support these findings.
Lemon balm can be purchased in various cosmetic products as well as in furniture polish and essential oils for use as the consumer sees fit. Some people even grow this herb in their gardens as a way of attracting bees.
Important Chemical Components:
Essential oils and herbal supplements made from lemon balm come from the leaves of the plant. The leaves of the Lemon balm plant contain a variety of secondary metabolites that are responsible for the various effects and uses of the herbal remedy. Some of these chemical constituents include terpenes that give the plant its anti-viral and relaxing qualities. Eugenol, known to reduce muscle spasms. And tannins which also provide an anti-viral effect.
Availability:
The plant can be grown in in gardens, dried and used to your own discretion. The already dried leaves can also be purchased in bulk or as tea, tincture, essential oils, and capsules. It can be difficult to find topical creams in the US but tea can be made and applied using cotton balls to afflicted areas with similar effects. Dosages vary between children and adults as well as by the condition you wish to treat. Talk to a health care provider for more information on this.
Current Research:
Anti-cancer & Antioxidant activities
M. officionales essential oil may be used as an antitumoral agent with antioxidant activities. An in-vitro cytotoxicity assay indicates that this oil is effective against a series of animal and human cancer cell lines. Antioxidant activity was also tested by reduction of DPPH. Results point towards us of the oil as an antitumoral agent.
Aromatherapy as Treatment for Severe Dementia
M. officionales may serve to reduce or manage agitation in patients with severe Dementia. A study was done on 72 patients using lemon balm essential oil (experimental) and sunflower oil (placebo) aromatherapy to manage agitation. Of the 72 subjects, 71 completed the trial with 60% of the experimental group showing a 30% reduction in agitation and only 14% of subjects showing the same reduction in the placebo group. Experiments were done using a double-blind, placebo controlled set-up. Aromatherapy with essential lemon balm oil was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for agitation in severe dementia patients. Researchers indicate the need for further trials.
References:
Ballard, Clive G., John T. O’brien, Katharina Reichelt, and Elaine K. Perry. “Aromatherapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for the Management of Agitation in Severe Dementia.” The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 63.7 (2002): 553-58.
Sousa, Allyne Carvalho De, Cerli Rocha Gattass, Daniela Sales Alviano, Celuta Sales Alviano, Arie Fitzgerald Blank, and Péricles Barreto Alves. “Melissa officinalisL. essential oil: antitumoral and antioxidant activities.” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 56.5 (2004): 677-81.
http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lemon-balm
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c857
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_balm
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