-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Melissa officinalis

synonyms: lemon balm, balm, honey plant, balm mint, bee balm, blue balm, garden balm, sweet balm, cure-all, dropsy plant, melisse

part(s) used: leaves, herb

qualities: sour, spicy, cool

affinities: digestive system

actions: diaphoretic, calmative, antispasmodic, sedative, carminative, stomachic, emmenagogue, antipyretic, hypotensive, nervine, antidepressant

dosage:

» infusion: 1 tbsp. herb to 1 cup water; 1 cup q 1-2 hrs.

» tincture: 3 - 6 ml.

» for acute cases, 1 - 5 ml. q 2 hrs.

therapy: indigestion, fevers, colds, influenza, tension/stress/depression, hypertension, functional heart disease

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1

toxicity: 0

» caution is advised during pregnancy due to emmenagogue effect as well as antithyrotropic and antigonadotropic activity (Brinker, 1995 & 1996; Lust, Farnsworth)

» contraindicated in low thyroid activity due to antithyrotropic effects (Brinker, 1995)

constituents: essential oil, bitter principle, acids, tannin, flavones, resin

drug interactions:

» increases hypnotic effect of pentobarbital (Soulimani et al) and hexobarbital due to the sedative activity of the volatile oil (Wagner and Sprinkmeyer)

footnotes

Brinker F. 1995. Botanical Medicine Research Summaries. (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, vol.11), Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.

Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, Misslin R, Derrieu G, Pelt JM. 1991. Neurotropic Action of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Melissa officinalis in the Mouse. Planta Med., 57:105-9.

Wagner H, Sprinkmeyer L. 1973. Pharmacological effect of balm spirit. Deut. Apoth.-Ztg., 113:1159-66.