The sour, spicy leaves of the lemon balm (melissa) plant are diaphoretic, calmative, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, and stomachic. These pharmacological actions make the herb useful for treating fevers, depression and melancholy, nervous te... *
"The Lemon Balm tea I have now bought from you in two separate orders is wonderful - and I will continue to buy it from you. (I wish it weren't so expensive - but it is an excellent product)." -- syed
* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
The sour, spicy leaves of the lemon balm (melissa) plant are diaphoretic, calmative, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, and stomachic. These pharmacological actions make the herb useful for treating fevers, depression and melancholy, nervous tension, and indigestion. Externally, the essential oil of lemon balm leaf is used to soothe the symptoms of herpes simplex. Lemon balm contains and essential oil, bitter principle, acids, and tannin.
The best application of lemon balm is as a calming diaphoretic for the treatment of fevers. Because of its gentle properties and pleasant flavor, it is most suitable for children and those who tend to be sensitive to the strong bitter flavors of most herbs. Since it removes surface tension from the body, it is effective as a treatment for nervous tension and depression. Lemon balm can also be used like other mints, for upset stomach and gas.
Most recently an external ointment made with lemon balm leaves has demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness in relieving the symptoms of herpes simplex.
Name
Melissa officinalis L., (Labiatae), commonly called as Lemon Balm, or balm, garden balm, bee balm, Milissae folium, melissa, or Scholar's herb. In French, it is Mélisse officinale, and in German, Melisse or Zitronekraut or Melissenblätter.
Source
Remedies are made from the dried leaves and flowering tops of lemon balm. Melissae originally was grown in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The leaves have the smell of lemons because like lemons, they contain citronella.
History
Lemon balm was used by the ancient Greeks (Hippocrates) and Romans (Dioscorides) and is mentioned in the Bible. The pleasant smelling essential oil was highly prized and used in various liniments and balms. In the 17th century, lemon balm was a key ingredient in Eau des Cannes, a remedy produced by the Carmelite nuns for inducing sleep (the other ingredients were lemon rind, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and coriander in a white wine).
Traditional Claims
Lemon balm is used as a sedative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative and stomachic (an antiquated term used by herbalists to describe agents that "stimulate" the stomach).
Commission E Recommendations
Lemon balm is used to treat dyspepsia (upset stomach), insomnia and functional gastrointestinal complaints.
Proven Effects
Extracts of Melissa have demonstrated antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumor activity at least in animals. Other experimental studies have shown that extracts of the whole plant, as opposed to just the oil, are reasonably potent sedatives, with an effect comparable to that of phenobarbital. Rosmarinic acid, which has been isolated from Melissa officinalis L. extracts, inhibits complement-dependent inflammatory processes (the systems involved in disorders such as lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis). Unfortunately, none of these actions has ever been validated in a real placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Dosage
Steep one ounce in a pint of boiling water, covered, and sweetened to taste if desired; take freely as needed.
Lemon balm is made into a tea by steeping 1.5 to 4.5 grams of dried leaves in a cup of hot water. It can be consumed several times per day, as needed.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Cautions
Do not use if you are currently on Thyroid Hormones medication.
No significant adverse effects from lemon balm have been reported. Unlike sedative drugs, lemon balm is safe even while driving or operating machinery. Lemon balm's sedating effects are not intensified by alcohol.
Concerns
None. There are no reports of toxic reactions or side effects.
Warnings
None known.
Drug Testing
No component of Melissae officinalis L. is known to interfere with any of the standard workplace urine screening tests.
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
The Lemon Balm tea I have now bought from you in two separate orders is wonderful - and I will continue to buy it from you. (I wish it weren't so expensive - but it is an excellent product).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
