Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is known as a traditional calming herb that can reduce anxiety and promote a positive mood. Studies have found that it can increase GABA concentration in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter which can reduce anxiety.¹

Its major constituents include phenolic acids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, alkaloids, and volatile compounds. The rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid in it are strongly antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory. In vitrostudies have found it can act against colon cancer,² brain cancer,³ and more.

Lemon balm has been shown in studies to be effective against HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores.⁴It penetrates the skin and inhibits the growth of the virus. Lemon balm is highly antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory and can reduce swelling. Lemon balm inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.⁵

Suggested dosing: 3-5 ml, 3x day

Side effects: Gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, reduced alertness.

Contraindications: Thyroid disease, glaucoma.

¹Awad R, Muhammad A, Durst T, Trudeau VL, Arnason JT. 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. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2712. PMID: 19165747.

²Weidner C, Rousseau M, Plauth A, Wowro SJ, Fischer C, Abdel-Aziz H, Sauer S. Melissa officinalis extract induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in colon cancer cells through formation of reactive oxygen species. Phytomedicine. 2015 Feb 15;22(2):262-70. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.12.008. Epub 2014 Dec 30. PMID: 25765831.

³de Sousa AC, Alviano DS, Blank AF, Alves PB, Alviano CS, Gattass CR. Melissa officinalis L. essential oil: antitumoral and antioxidant activities. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 May;56(5):677-81. doi: 10.1211/0022357023321. PMID: 15142347.

⁴Schnitzler P, Schuhmacher A, Astani A, Reichling J. Melissa officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpesviruses. Phytomedicine. 2008 Sep;15(9):734-40. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2008.04.018. PMID: 18693101.

⁵Berechet, Mariana & Simion, Demetra & Stanca, Maria & Alexe, Cosmin-Andrei & Constantinescu, Rodica & Râpă, Maria & Șăulean, Anca Andreea. (2020). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil. 121-126. 10.24264/icams-2020.II.2.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.