Lemon Balm

Ø Lemon Balm:

Lemon Balm; A Honey of a Healer – Bacteria fighter (streptococci and mycobacteria); pain relief for wounds; helps fight mumps, herpes, and other viruses; a natural tranquilizer; digestive aid; menstrual cramps.

§ Warning: Two recent studies show that balm interferes with the thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin. There are no reports of this herb causing thyroid problems, but anyone with a thyroid condition should discuss balm’s thyrotropin-inhibiting effect with a physician before using it.

∞ Botanical name: Melissa officinalis

∞ Chinese Botanical name:

∞ This information clearly states that balm does have benefit.

---Description--- Wound treatment, Herpes and other viral infections, A Natural tranquilizer, Digestive and Women’s health.

---Family--- Labiatae; other members include mint.

--- Synonyms--- Lemon balm, bee balm, melissa, sweet balm and cure-all.

---Parts Used--- Leaves.

---Constituents--- Polyphenols, eugenol,

---Medicinal Action and Uses--- Contemporary herbalists tout balm’s traditional uses: It’s stilled used to induce sweat and menstruation and is recommended to treat headache, flatulence, hypertension, stress, bronchitis, indigestion asthma, and infant colic. Modern science has not supported all of balm’s traditional uses – it has been abandoned the 19^th century notion that balm is a stimulant, and Culpeper was off base by saying it “opens obstructions in the brain.” But studies show this herb may have even greater healing potential.

· WOUND TREATMENT – Score one for Dioscorides. Balm contains chemicals (polyphenols) that may help fight several infection-causing bacteria, among them Streptococci and mycobacteria. Balm also contains eugenol, an anesthetic that may help relieve wound pain.

· HERPES AND OTHER VIRAL INFECTIONS – Balm helps fight mumps, herpes, and other viruses. American pharmaceutical companies have ignored balm’s possible antiviral action, but Europeans have not. In Germany, where herbal medicine is more mainstream than it is in the United States, balm extract is an active ingredient in Lomaherpan Crème, an ointment used to treat cold sores and genital herpes. Unfortunately, this product is not available in the United States.

· A NATURAL TRANQUILIZER – Researchers have discovered that balm oil – the source of the plant’s pleasant fragrance – may have tranquilizing properties, supporting the herb’s traditional use as a relaxant. In Germany, balm is widely used as a tranquilizer and sedative.

· DIGESTIVE AIDE – German researchers have discovered that balm relaxes the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, thus supporting its age old use as a digestive aid.

· WOMEN’S HEALTH – Herbs that relax the digestive tract may also cal another smooth muscle, the uterus. This potential effect could help support balm’s traditional use in treating menstrual cramps. However, balm has also been historically recommended as a uterine stimulant to promote menstruation. No contemporary research clarifies this confusing situation. For this reason, pregnant women should not use it. Other women might try it to begin menstruation.

---Nutrient Source---

---Side Effects or Negative Effects---

· Two recent studies show that balm interferes with the thyroid stimulating hormone, thyrotropin. There are no reports of this herb causing thyroid problems but anyone with a thyroid condition should discuss balm’s thyroid-inhibiting effect with a physician before using it.

· Balm is on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe. The medical literature contains no reports of toxicity. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who do not have thyroid conditions, balm is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.

· Balm should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If balm causes minor discomfort, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, take less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

---Deterrent---