Lemon Balm
Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis
Origins: Europe
Lemon balm in a word: Uplifting. Lemon balm is one of my favorite herbs for lifting the spirit. Like all herbs, it has a variety of actions and affinities that defy narrow categorization, but its mood elevating effects steal the show. In this gardener’s opinion, one of the best ways to enjoy lemon balm is in your garden plucking the lemony-leaves one by one, being swept away by their enchanting scent and flavor. — Jean Willoughby, PS. Here’s an affordable source
Lemon balm is an herb used to uplift mood, relieve anxiety, calm a nervous stomach, and lessen feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed out. Its citrus-scented leaves teem with aromatic compounds that contribute to its anti-anxiety and anti-microbial effects.
David Winston, a respected herbalist who I’ve been very fortunate to study with, finds lemon balm combined with St. John’s wort to be an excellent remedy for treating mild depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the winter blues. While both herbs are helpful alone, he notes, they are far more effective together.
It’s no wonder that lemon balm and St. John’s wort are also a major herbs used for healing stress-induced cold sores. Not only are the leaves and flowers beneficial for treating active Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), but they may also reduce its recurrence. The two may also help ease discomfort related to menstruation.
Great for kids: Lemon balm is often recommended as an herb for children’s colds and upset stomachs because it’s gentle, safe, and pleasant tasting. In his book Adaptogens, David Winston also recommends its use (with chamomile and linden) for promoting better sleep quality, relieving stress headaches, and managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
How to find it + My recommendations
I recommend growing lemon balm in your garden, buying it as a tincture, and purchasing the dried herb for brewing tea.
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Notes from the Herbalists
How to use it
For feelings of mild depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), aka the winter blues, try combining lemon balm with St. John’s wort as tinctures in equal measure and taking it 3-4 times day in an ounce of water.
Note: It’s often important to take your herbal medicines at regular intervals throughout the day to keep their medicinal compounds circulating in your system for long enough to have a therapeutic effect. Herbs are not “one and done” medicines. They work best when taken regularly over time.
Notable constituents
Lemon balm contains volatile oils (citral, citronellal, eugenol acetate, geraniol and other components), polyphenols, tannin, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and triterpenoids.
Affinities for body systems
Lemon balm has an affinity for the nervous system. It also may help ease discomfort related to menstruation.
Actions
Lemon balm is anodyne, antidepressant, antispasmodic, antiviral, nervine, sedative, carminative, and stomachic.
Parts used
Aerial parts
Contraindications
None known
Herb-drug interactions
None known
