Therapeutic Uses
- Wounds – Lemon balm contains chemicals called polyphenols that help fight several infection-causing bacteria, among them streptococcus and mycobacteria. Lemon balm also contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic that may help relieve wound pain.
- Herpes and Other Viral Infections – Research has shown that lemon balm has antiviral action. In one study, people with herpes lesions were given either a placebo cream or a cream containing 1% lemon balm extract. By the second day, those using the lemon balm showed greater healing, and by the fifth, their sores were 50% more likely to have cleared entirely. Thus, lemon balm was judged conclusively superior to the placebo by physician and patient alike.
- Anxiety – Lemon balm has been shown to relieve anxiety. Researchers gave volunteers metal challenges that produced stress. After treating them with 600 milligrams of lemon balm and 120 milligrams of valerian, the participants were subjected to similar challenges. The 600 milligram dose reduced their anxiety.
- Insomnia – Several compounds in fragrant lemon balm oil have tranquilizing properties. This supports lemon balm’s traditional role as a relaxant. In one study, a combination of lemon balm and valerian proved as effective as the pharmaceutical tranquilizer/sedative triazolam (Halcion), but unlike the drug, it caused no morning “hang over.”
- Digestive Problems – Lemon balm relaxes the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, thus supporting the herb’s age-old reputation as a digestive aid.
- Women’s Health Concerns – Herbs that relax the digestive tract may also calm the smooth muscle of the uterus. This potential effect could explain lemon balm’s traditional role in treating menstrual cramps. Curiously, lemon balm has also been recommended as a uterine stimulant to promote menstruation. No contemporary research clarifies this confusing situation.
Medicinal Uses: * Anxiety * Aromatherapy * Beauty * Cardiovascular * Colds * Depression * Dysmenorrhea * Herbal Teas * Herpes/Cold Sores * Hypertension * Insect/flea Bites * Nausea * Pregnancy/Childbirth * Sore Throat * Sunburns
Lemon Balm Side Effects: Because lemon balm interferes with thyroid-stimulating hormone, it may aggravate problems associated with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). At high doses, lemon balm may aggravate anxiety. Pregnant and nursing women should not use lemon balm. Do not give lemon balm to children under two years old.
Lemon Balm Drug Interactions: Taking lemon balm along with sedative medications (clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others) might cause too much sleepiness.
