Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

"Comforts the heart and driveth away melancholy and sadness,"

John Gerard (1545-1612)

"This herb is widely used to cure melancholy and diseases that are the result of finding ourselves in places and life situations we are not ready to accept."

Michael Tierra (from The Way of Herbs)

What wonderful herb is this that can solve many of our modem day problems and was equally well known by herbalists in the past? It is Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), one of the most common and easy to grow herbs.

Clinical Assessment of Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) in Herpes Treatment

Reference: Wöbling RH & Leonhardt K: Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine 1 (1): 25-31, 1994.

Summary: A multicenter clinical study of 115 patients, followed by a placebo-controlled double-blind study involving 116 patients confirmed in vitro antiviral activity of a dried extract of Melissa officinalis L (lemon balm) leaves in the treatment of herpes simplex infections. The studies showed that efficacy is best achieved at the onset of infections.

The article evaluates the Natural Stress Relief, a dietary supplement.

Reviewed: Muller SF, Klement S. A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children. Phytomed. 2006;13:383-387.

The article recommends herbal and nutritional supplements needed to quit smoking, and repairs the damage it caused . It includes a dosage of complete multiple vitamin and mineral formulation, hig...