Lemon Balm: Materia Medica
Société Apothecary
This mint family relative has deep historical usage throughout European folk medicine, the Arabic tradition, and North American medical herbalism. Before working with lemon balm, it is worth understanding not only its considerable gifts but also its lemon balm contraindications — particularly for those with thyroid conditions or during pregnancy. "Lemon Balm causeth the mind and the Heart to be Merry" - Avicenna MATERIA MEDICA Latin Binomial: Melissa officinalis (In Greek, Melissa means honeybee) Common Name(s) : Lemon Balm, balm, bee balm, melissa, melissa balm TCM Name : Xiang feng cao, xiang feng hua Ayurvedic Name : Neembu balm sayantram Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family) Physical Description of the Plant: Lemon Balm is a lemon-scented, aromatic perennial with serrated heart-shaped leaves and whorls of small white flowers typical of many members of the Lamiaceae family. It spreads easily from seed and underground Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean and various regions in Northern Africa, Western Asia, and Southern Europe, it is widely cultivated and naturalized throughout the world in temperate areas. Harvest and Collection: The best time to harvest Lemon Balm is early summer before flowering, but many herbalists use both leaves and flowers Parts of the Plant Used: Aerial parts Qualities: Calming, relaxing Chemical Constituents: Citronellal citral a citral b other monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes Tannins unique to Lamiaceae: triterpenylic acid bitter principles Flavonoids: Quercitrin Rhamnocitrin 7-glucosides: Apigenin Kaempferol Quercetin Luteolin Actions: Nervine Sedative Anxiolytic Spasmolytic Emmenagogue Vasodilating hypotensive Carminative Diaphoretic Antiviral Antibacterial Antidepressant Antifungal Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Antiprotozoal Antithrombotic Anodyne Sedative stomachic Uterine tonic Indications: anxiety, restlessness, digestive problems due to nervousness, colds, migraines, menstrual cramps, insomnia, depression, hypertension, and irritability associated with stress or hyperthyroidism. Infused oil used externally, and tincture taken internally effective for treating herpes simplex types 1 and 2, including chicken pox and shingles. The diagnostic picture for Lemon balm is associated with hyperthyroidism: anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, headache and irritability. It interferes with the binding of TSH to thyroid cell membranes and inhibits iodothyronine deiodinase, thus prevents incorporation of iodine into T4 synthesis and peripheral conversion of T4 to T3; and blocks the thyroid binding of the stimulating auto-antibodies found in Graves' disease. Contraindications/Cautions: It is contraindicated with hypothyroidism and in pregnancy unless used under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner. Drug Interactions: Interaction Characteristics: CNS depression; increases thyroid hormone clearance levothyroxine liothyronine liotrix thyroid Dosage: Tincture : Fresh or dry liquid extract: 20-40 drops 2-3 times daily in a little water. Infusion: 1 tablespoon fresh or dried leaves per cup of hot water; 4-8oz 2-3 times daily. Combinations: It is often found as a tea in combination with other relaxing herbs such as valerian, hops and chamomile. Energetics: Slightly warm; in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is considered energetically cooling and drying. Folklore: Lemon balm steeped in wine was used orally and topically in ancient Greek and Roman medicines, as surgical dressing for wounds, and to treat venomous bites and stings, as mentioned in the writings of Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder. The same medicinal wine form is also used in the Indian Materia Medica (Nadkarni, 1976). The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia (AP) lists Melissa officinalis, along with the related Indian species M. parviflora, for dyspepsia associated with anxiety or depressive states, in a dried herb or alcoholic fluid extract form. The AP reports its actions as carminative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and sedative (Karnick, 1994). Nicholas Culpepper wrote that Lemon Balm was ruled by the planet Jupiter and associated with the zodiac sign of Cancer, therefore having an association with the water element and an effect on emotions. It was used in spells to heal broken hearts and to attract romantic love. Carmelite water, or 'eau des Carmes' as it is called in France, was a distilled alcoholic digestive tonic containing lemon balm, lemon peel, nutmeg, and angelica root, formulated by the Carmelite nuns from the Abbey of St. Just in the 14th century. It was used for centuries in Europe to support healthy digestion and is still available today. Flower Essence: Issues of the head, specifically the sixth chakra. Lemon Balm brings support to alleviate sinus pain, headaches, muddled thinking and any other electrical glitches in the third eye/ sixth chakra. It works gently but persistently to clear impediments and allow the smooth expansion of light in this chakra. Apply Lemon Balm to the third eye/center of the brow. Applications: Lemon Balm helps calm anxiety and a nervous stomach due to stress. It is a great nighttime herb for children, promoting restful sleep and helping to prevent nightmares. Magically Lemon Balm is used to protect and to attract love. Lemon Balm Contraindications, Side Effects, and Safety Considerations Lemon balm is widely regarded as one of the gentler nervine herbs in the Western tradition — well-tolerated by most adults and children when used in appropriate amounts. That said, there are several meaningful lemon balm contraindications and cautions to be aware of before making it a regular part of your wellness ritual. Hypothyroidism The most significant contraindication for lemon balm is hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Lemon balm constituents — particularly rosmarinic acid and certain flavonoids — have been shown to inhibit TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) binding to thyroid cell membranes and to reduce the conversion of T4 to the active thyroid hormone T3. While this activity makes lemon balm a supportive herb in cases of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease, it means it should be avoided or used only under professional supervision by those with hypothyroidism or who take thyroid hormone replacement medications such as levothyroxine, liothyronine, liotrix, or thyroid (desiccated thyroid). If you are managing a thyroid condition, please consult a qualified herbal practitioner or your primary healthcare provider before use. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Lemon balm has emmenagogue and uterine tonic actions, meaning it may stimulate uterine activity. For this reason, it is traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy — particularly in therapeutic doses — unless under the direct guidance of a qualified midwife or healthcare practitioner. Occasional culinary use (such as a leaf or two in a salad or a mild tea) is generally considered low-risk, but medicinal-strength preparations are best avoided. Evidence on lemon balm's safety during breastfeeding is limited; the precautionary principle applies here too. Sedative Medications and CNS Depressants Because lemon balm has documented sedative and anxiolytic properties, it may potentiate the effects of pharmaceutical CNS depressants — including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, sleep medications, and alcohol. Those taking any such medications should exercise caution and seek guidance before combining them with lemon balm preparations. Research in this area is still emerging, and individual responses vary. General Side Effects When used within standard dosage ranges, lemon balm is not known to cause