Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis

Location
Georgetown University’s medicinal herb garden. Recently, lemon balm “volunteers” have appeared in the Urban Herbs Shady plot.

Description
This bushy perennial herb is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, western Asia, and mountainous parts of southern Europe, but has been naturalized and now grows abundantly worldwide (Grieve 1931, Foster 2006). The heart-shaped leaves have a refreshing lemony flavor.

History
Traditionally used as a mild sedative to treat anxiety and insomnia and to generally “lift the spirits” by many cultures for over 2,000 years (Foster 2006). The name Melissa is taken from the Greek word for “bee” because the fragrant plants attract these helpful pollinators and the leaves were rubbed on bee hives to keep these swarming insects together (Grieve 1931).

Tea made from the leaves of Melissa officinalis has historically been used for nervous disorders, hyperthyroidism, migraines, and hypertension (Wichtl 1984). Lemon balm is one of the primary ingredients in Carmelite water, an alcoholic infusion that was created in the 16th century by Carmelite nuns that included orange blossom water, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and other fragrant herbs (Foster 2006). Carmelite water was recommended for headaches and neuralgia, and gentlewomen were urged to keep a syrup of lemon balm juice at hand to treat stomach ailments (Culpeper 1652, Grieve 1931). The ancient physician and philosopher Avicenna recommended lemon balm as an external treatment for wounds and ulcers and as an internal remedy for melancholy (Culpeper 1652).

Current medicinal uses
Clinical research indicates that topical application of Melissa officinalis may be an effective treatment for herpes lesions. One study of 115 patients with lip sores due to herpes simplex virus showed significant improvement in patients who used a topical cream containing lemon balm extract over patients who used a placebo cream (Wolbling 1994). A subsequent study of 66 patients with recurrent herpes labialis also found a cream containing standardized lemon balm extract to be more effective than placebo in treating herpes simplex (Koytchev 1999).

The traditional use of Melissa officinalis to improve digestion was given credence in another study that found an herbal preparation containing lemon balm extract more effective than placebo in treating dyspepsia (Madish 2004). The historical use of lemon balm in relieving nervous and depressive disorders has also been evaluated by studies that found that Melissa officinalis extract improved calmness and memory performance during timed cognitive tests, while reducing anxiety and negative emotions associated with the testing (Kennedy 2003, Kennedy 2004). A combination of lemon balm and valerian also had anxiolytic effects during induced stress (Kennedy 2006).

Melissa officinalis may improve memory and reduce anxiety in patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (Akhondzadeh 2003). An uncontrolled study investigating the sedative effects of Euvegal® forte – a combination of valerian and lemon balm – in 918 children suffering from sleep disorders found the preparation to be well-tolerated and effective in a subjective assessment by parents and investigators (Muller 2006). No control was used in this study, however, and the sedative properties of Euvegal® forte may be due more to valerian than lemon balm.

Adverse effects
None known.

Comments
This hardy plant grows and spreads quickly, even in shade. As bushy stands of lemon balm can grow two to three feet high, be sure to plant this herb in garden areas that can be taken over.

References
Akhondzadeh S et al. Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003; 74: 863-866.

Culpeper N. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal. W. Foulsham: London, 1994. (Originally published in London, 1652, under title: The English physitian.)

Foster S and Johnson R. Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. National Geographic: Washington, DC, 2006.

Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Tiger Books International, London, 1998 (first published in 1931 by Jonathan Cape Ltd).

Kennedy DO et al. Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytother Res. 2006; 20(2): 96-102.

Kennedy DO et al. Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Psychosom Med. 2004; 66(4): 607-13.

Kennedy DO et al. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of singe doses of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003; 1-11.

Koytchev R, Alken RG, Dundarov S. Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring Herpes labialis. Phytomedicine. 1999; 6: 225-230.

Madisch A et al. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a herbal preparation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Digestion. 2004; 69: 45-52.

Müller SF, Klement S. A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children. Phytomedicine. 2006; 13(6): 383-7.

Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A handbook for practice on a scientific basis. medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers: Stuttgart, 1994.

Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine. 1994; 1: 25-31.