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Writer's pictureLaura Van Horn

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Exploring the Aromatic Wonders of Lemon Balm


Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a delightfully calming aromatic herb. Native to southern Europe, this member of the mint family has been cherished for centuries for its vast medicinal and delicious culinary uses. The leaves, which have a mild lemony aroma and a slightly sweet, minty flavor, are the main part used and best harvested before flowering.


Lemon balm is well-known for its ability to soothe stress and anxiety and promote overall relaxation. It is an easy-to-grow herb (you may want to grow it in pots to avoid it doing the mint thing and taking over the whole garden) that not only attracts bees and other pollinators to the garden but also serves as a natural bug repellent. Its soothing and relaxing effects make it an excellent remedy for anyone with frayed nerves or even for hyperactive children. A fresh leaf can be chewed to freshen breath or crushed and placed on a bug bite to ease itching. The essential oil is also a great option for calming and comforting agitated emotions. Both the herb and its essential oil offer a wide range of benefits, making lemon balm a valuable addition to any garden and natural wellness apothecary.


Herbal Actions of Lemon Balm

Lemon balm offers a variety of herbal actions that contribute to its therapeutic benefits, below is a brief highlight of some of its actions:

  • Relaxing Nervine: Acts on the nerves to promote relaxation and sleep, reduce tension and anxiety Mild Antispasmodic: Reduces both voluntary and involuntary muscle spasms

  • Carminative: Gently calms the digestive system, alleviating indigestion and gas

  • Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration to help cool the body, particularly useful for fevers and heat-related conditions. Lemon balm is a relaxing diaphoretic, as opposed to a stimulating one

  • Antiviral: Supports the immune system by destroying or suppressing the growth of viruses

  • Analgesic: Relieves pain

Medicinal Applications of Lemon Balm

Stress and Anxiety Relief

Lemon balm can promote a sense of calm and relaxation, making it useful for soothing irritability, anxiety, stress, agitation, mood swings, and even dementia-related confusion. It has been shown to be supportive in conditions like panic attacks, heart palpitations, and nightmares. Lemon balm can support restful sleep by calming racing thoughts.


Calming and Sedative Effects

Lemon balm's gentle sedative activity is beneficial for those suffering from restlessness, insomnia, or ADD/ ADHD. Its ability to soothe the nervous system makes it an excellent choice for promoting relaxation and improving sleep quality. Combining it with other calming herbs like chamomile and passionflower can enhance its effectiveness.


Digestive Support

Lemon balm provides comprehensive digestive support through its carminative, antispasmodic, and nervine actions, and is noted for its role in the gut-brain connection, enhancing communication between the nervous and digestive systems. It effectively alleviates digestive issues like nausea, indigestion, gas, and bloating, promoting overall digestive health. Enjoyed as a calming tea after meals, it aids digestion and can alleviate nervous irritability that affects digestion, such as in cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while also helping to ease stomach cramps.


Relaxing Diaphoretic

Lemon balm acts as a relaxing diaphoretic, aiding the fever process by promoting perspiration and soothing irritation, tension, and agitation often accompanying fever. It is particularly beneficial when someone feels hot during a fever but is unable to sweat adequately. A strong lemon balm tea can be used during episodes of headache, tension, and fever without sweating.


Antiviral Properties

Lemon balm is well-recognized for its antiviral properties, particularly effective against herpes simplex virus (HSV). This herb can reduce the duration and severity of cold sores and herpes outbreaks, providing direct relief while also supporting the nervous system. For active herpes viral outbreaks of cold sores, chickenpox, or shingles, applying lemon balm topically yields the best results; shortening symptom duration and promoting skin healing. While consuming lemon balm internally may not directly combat an active virus outbreak as effectively, its nervine properties can indirectly help reduce the associated stress. Regular use of lemon balm tincture may also help decrease the frequency of outbreaks.


Pain Relief

Lemon balm offers relief from pain, and discomfort related to cold sores, menstrual cramps, and muscle tension due to its analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, lemon balm's nervine action makes it useful for easing tension headaches and migraines associated with stress or anxiety. It can help ease discomfort and promote a sense of physical relaxation. It can be applied topically as an infused oil or salve, or consumed as a tea, glycerite, or syrup to alleviate pain.


Children

Lemon balm is cherished for its pleasant lemony taste, making it a palatable herb for children. It has traditionally been used to reduce colic, soothe teething discomfort, and calm hyperactive children. Often being combined with chamomile for added calming benefits. This herb is also noted for its ability to enhance focus and calm excitability in children with ADD/ADHD. Lemon balm glycerite is a safe and palatable option for younger children.


Cognitive Benefits

Research suggests that lemon balm possesses the potential to enhance mood, promote calmness, and improve alertness. In studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease, lemon balm alcohol extract (tincture) has demonstrated promising outcomes in boosting brain function, including mood enhancement and decreased agitation. Both historical use and recent research indicate lemon balm's beneficial effects on cognitive health and memory for both older adults and younger individuals. In aromatherapy, lemon balm essential oil is recognized for its ability to uplift the mind, support mental clarity, and reduce brain fog. Whether consumed as an herbal tea, or tincture, or used in aromatherapy methods such as incense burning or essential oil diffusion, lemon balm provides versatile support for overall mental and emotional well-being.


Herbal Pairings

Lemon balm pairs well with linden, calendula, tulsi, elderflower, chamomile, lavender, passionflower, California poppy, and catnip


herbal waters

Herbal Preparations

Tea - use 1-2 Tbsp of fresh or dried leaves brewed in 1 cup of hot water, steeping for 15 minutes

Water - infuse a quart of water with 10-12 fresh leaves (1-2 sprigs) for several hours. Make fresh daily

Tincture - fill a mason jar half full with dried, crushed leaves and cover with 80 proof alcohol (vodka), cover, macerate for 4-6 weeks, strain off herbs, bottle, and label

Glycerite - fill a mason jar about 3/4 full with fresh leaves, finely chopped, cover with vegetable glycerin, cover, macerate for 4-6 weeks, strain off herbs, bottle, and label

Vinegar - fill a mason jar about 3/4 full with fresh leaves, finely chopped, cover with apple cider vinegar, cover with a plastic lid, macerate for 2 weeks, strain, bottle, label, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months

Honey - add dried, finely powdered plant material to a jar half filled with honey, stir, top off with additional honey, stir again until it is a thick paste, and store in the refrigerator for extended shelf-life

Bath - using a muslin tea bag, blend dried lemon balm leaves with other fragrant herbs, such as lavender and rose petals, and add the tea bag to the bath water to create a soothing bath tea to soak in

Massage Oil - fill a mason jar about 1/2 full with dried, crushed leaves and cover with your favorite carrier oil (jojoba, apricot kernel, sunflower seed, or sweet almond are good options), macerate for 1-2 months, strain off herbs, bottle, and label

Salve - using the infused oil, blend with beeswax to create a soothing salve


Special Considerations

Lemon balm is generally safe and gentle, making it suitable for children and elders. However, there is some controversy regarding its potential to inhibit thyroid function. If you have an underactive thyroid, it's advisable to avoid excessive consumption without consulting your medical provider or an herbal practitioner. Additionally, if you are pregnant, it is recommended to avoid medicinal doses of lemon balm unless supervised by a qualified healthcare practitioner.


lemon balm plant

Lemon Balm Essential Oil

The essential oil of lemon balm, more commonly known in the aromatherapy world as Melissa, is extracted from the leaves and flowering tops through steam distillation. It has a sweet, lemon-like aroma with a hint of floral undertone. The oil is known for its calming yet uplifting effects and is used in aromatherapy to alleviate stress and support emotional well-being.


Therapeutic Properties

  • Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory: Reduces pain and inflammation thanks to it being citral-rich

  • Antimicrobial: Fights against bacteria (S. typhimorium, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus), viruses (HSV), and Candida fungi

  • Mood Supportive: Lifts mood, reduces agitation and restlessness, reduces stress and stress-induced depression, and promotes relaxation

  • CNS Sedative: Calms the central nervous system, making it beneficial in dementia by promoting calmness, reducing agitation, and enhancing cognition.

  • Immune Support: It is believed to have immunostimulant properties related to its anti-inflammatory effects, largely due to its citral content. It is commonly blended with frankincense to enhance this purpose.


Aromatherapy Pairings

There are many essential oils that Melissa blends well with, but here is a short list to consider: Frankincense, geranium, ginger, lavender, neroli, sweet orange, Roman chamomile, rose, rosemary, and vanilla


Usage and Safety

Melissa essential oil should be used with caution. When using topically, use only in low dilutions (maximum 0.9%). It should not be ingested. The oil is prone to oxidation, so it should be stored properly to maintain its efficacy. It is not recommended for use on children under 10 years old or on damaged skin.


Conclusion

Lemon balm, with its delightful lemony aroma and extensive therapeutic benefits, is a versatile and enjoyable herb. Its ability to soothe stress and anxiety, aid digestion, boost cognitive function, and provide antiviral relief makes it a valuable addition to any herbal apothecary. Whether used as a tea, tincture, glycerite, or salve, lemon balm's gentle nature makes it suitable for all ages, from children to elders. However, those with thyroid issues or who are pregnant should consult a healthcare practitioner before use. While the essential oil of lemon balm is highly beneficial, it should be used with more caution than the herb itself. I encourage you to grow a pot of lemon balm and experiment with its lemony leaves.


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