Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm Materia Medica 

The following Materia Medica was taken from the Mint-tastic Mint Family Class we taught in 2023.  If you’d like to view the class video, you can find it in your toolkit Herbalista Toolkit.

Melissa officinalis 
LAMIACEAE FAMILY

If there was any entry I wish was a scratch and sniff, this would be it! When you rub a leaf, it releases an uplifting lemony fragrance that puts a smile on your face.  Lucky for us, lemon balm is a vigorous, easy to grow plant and once you’ve planted it in your garden, it’s there to stay.  And what a great plant to have too much of!  Like most mints, It is used both for emotional support as well as for physical ailments. It is a powerful remedy, traditionally used for hyperthyroidism and herpes, but also gentle enough for young children.

DESCRIPTION

Perennial herb spreading via rhizomes.  Square Stem, Opposite pairs of simple, vibrant green leaves with a serrated edge.  Pale, whitish-pinkish flowers with the classic mint family arrangement. Native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean, Persia and Central Asia.  Naturalized in many places around the world including the Americas and Ireland.

PART USED

Leaves, aerial parts

HARVEST

When leaves are looking their best, before or during flowering.  Dry by hanging on a line or in a dehydrator.  Can be used fresh for medicine and foods, but most easily worked with as a dry herb.  Since the aromatics can be easily destroyed, it is a good idea to dry quickly and efficiently and then bag and store properly. 

ENERGETICS + TASTES

cool, sour, spicy

ACTIONS

carminative, aromatic, diaphoretic, nervine, febrifuge, clears heat, anti-depressant, antiviral, exhilarant

SYSTEMS

nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, skin + mucosal

INDICATIONS  

  • Emotional: SAD (seasonal affective disorder), anxiety, depression
  • Cold + Flu: fever, ‘ickiness’
  • Excess Conditions: palpitations, nervous indigestion, herpes, shingles, mania,  hyperthyroidism

PREPARATION + DOSAGE (INTERNAL)

  • Tea: 1 tablespoon per cup of water. 2-3 cups per day. Steep covered to preserve aromatics.
  • Tincture: Fresh Herb [1:2, 95%] Alcohol; Dry Herb [1:5, 40%] Brandy Preferred.  Take up to 5mL, up to 3xs per day.
  • Glycerite: Dry Herb [1:5, 60%] Glycerine.  Consider the hydrosol for the water portion.  Take up to 5mL, up to 3xs per day.
  • Food: pesto, sorbet, chop finely and add to salad and salsa.
  • Klosterfrau Melissengeist (also known as Carmelite Water): this remedy composed of lemon balm and several other aromatic herbs (i.e. ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, elecampane, pepper) was the first traditional remedy approved by the European Union. It is prepared as a hydrosol distillate, by infusing into wine or alcohol, or through the combination of essential oils.   Klosterfrau Melissengeist (meaning Woman of the Monastery Spirit of Melissa) is still sold today. 

PAIRINGS (INTERNAL)

PREPARATION + DOSAGE (EXTERNAL)

  • Classic Herpes Salve/ Ointment Preparations: either use the essential oil (which is quite expensive) or oil infusion.
  • Klosterfrau Melissengeist (also known as Carmelite Water): this remedy composed of lemon balm and several other aromatic herbs was the first traditional remedy approved by the European Union. It is prepared as a hydrosol distillate, by infusing into wine or alcohol, or through the combination of essential oils.   Klosterfrau Melissengeist (meaning Woman of the Monastery Spirit of Melissa) is still sold today. 
  • Hydrosol: it takes soooo much plant to get off any essential oil when distilling, but easily produces the hydrosol.  Use freely to calm and cool inflammation of the skin. 

PAIRINGS (EXTERNAL)

  • With other wound care herbs for herpes zosters, such as Licorice and Calendula. 

SAFETY/ CAUTIONS

  • General considered safe.  
  • Avoid large quantities in HYPOthyroidism as this is utilized specifically for HYPERthyroidism.  I would especially be cautious in combining it with other synergistic, hyperthyroid specifics like Lycopus and Motherwort.

Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen