Have you been bothered by recurrent cold sores? Are you looking for something to calm your nerves and gut? The world of herbs offers wonderful solutions to common health problems. Lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis, is one such herb that acts as an effective remedy for many health conditions. The historic use of this herb dates back several hundred years. It was used topically for wounds and cold sores, and taken orally for influenza, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and nervous gut. This is how lemon balm works in your body and how you can use it for your ailments.
Lemon balm is also commonly known as balm, common balm, or balm mint. It is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. Originally native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, it is now found all over the world. The leaves have a mild lemon scent that resembles mint. The plant is often grown in gardens to attract bees, therefore the genus Melissa (which means "honey bee" in Greek).
Lemon balm has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It also acts as a modulator of mood and cognitive function of the brain. Lemon balm is widely available and less expensive than many other anti-inflammatory aids such as manuka honey or hemp seed oil. It is one of many herbs that can help with stress and other conditions.
It can be used both topically and orally.
Topically it's commonly used for oral and genital herpes in the form of a cream or infusion.
Orally it's used in the form of a capsule or a tincture. It can also be inhaled as an essential oil (aromatherapy). It has been used for many conditions, including the following:
Like many herbs, there is not as much research done on lemon balm as there might be on a pharmaceutical medication. However, evidence has been found supporting its use for a variety of conditions including herpes infections, neurological issues, and gut conditions.
Topical lemon balm has gained popularity in the management of genital or oral herpes. It decreases the intensity and duration of the flare-up. However, it does not completely wipe them out. Researchers have shown that melissa extract shows high virucidal activity against the herpes virus, even at very low concentrations of 1.5 Ī¼g/ml. It also inhibits their attachment to host cells in a dose-dependent manner.
Researchers performed a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which they used standardized balm mint cream containing 1% dried extract from lemon balm in 66 individuals with the recent development of a cold sore. Significant benefits in terms of decreasing the intensity of discomfort, the number of blisters, and the size of the lesion were noticed.
Lemon balm also provides relief for stress, anxiety, and adrenal fatigue. Researchers assessed the different aspects of mood and cognitive effects of a standardized preparation. It was given to healthy young adults in a beverage and in yogurt. The assessment of self-rated aspects of mood was done before and after a multi-tasking framework (MTF) administered one hour and three hours following the preparation and placebo. Improvements in mood, particularly anxiety and cognitive performance, were noticed.
In addition, lemon balm has been found to be effective in mild to moderate Alzheimerās disease and has a positive outcome for agitation. Researchers found that the administration of extract in 42 patients with Alzheimerās disease for 4 months significantly reduced their likelihood of becoming agitated.
Similarly, researchers have demonstrated positive outcomes in patients with sleep disturbances and mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders.
Lemon balm works as a remedy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome as well. Researchers administered it in combination with herbs such as Mentha spicata and Coriandrum sativum in the form of Carmint. They randomly administered Carmint or placebo, (plus Loperamide or psyllium depending upon their predominant bowel function) to 32 patients with irritable bowel syndrome for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the severity and frequency of abdominal pain or discomfort were significantly decreased.
Likewise, lemon balm has a likely beneficial impact on other conditions of the gut. Researchers have shown it to have a role in relieving stomach discomfort and nausea.
Lemon balm acts by decreasing inflammation in your body. Inflammation is one of the ways your body responds to stress, which can be physical or psychological. Physical stress can occur in the form of external agents such as infections, injuries, or trauma. Psychological stress occurs as a reaction to an emotional event.
This is part of a larger response to stress that is regulated by your body's NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response. In conditions of acute stress, your body rapidly increases cortisol to overcome the temporary phase. However, prolonged, chronic stress results in a decrease in cortisol production. Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS) sets in when the adrenals are unable to cope up with stress. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates this process through chemical messengers that determine your cortisol production.
Adrenal fatigue shows different symptoms in different people. The symptoms include:
The NEM stress response of your body is composed of six circuits of organs and systems that work in collaboration against stress. The primary circuit that is associated with the action of lemon balm is the inflammation circuit. A dysfunctional inflammation circuit is strongly correlated with adrenal fatigue.
Cortisol has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressant action. Increased levels of stress lead to low levels of cortisol, which in turn make you more prone to increased inflammation in different areas of the body. This subtle kind of inflammation can linger on for years before presenting itself as symptoms.
The inflammatory response works in conjunction with other body systems and organs in stressful conditions to balance your bodily functions. The three components of the inflammation circuit include your immune system, gut, and microbiome, which consists of the billions of bacteria, both helpful and otherwise, that are needed to sustain your internal environment. As such, inflammation problems can have wide-ranging effects.
Lemon balm acts as an effective aid to correct the imbalances related to AFS. In the normal balanced state of your body, foreign microbes such as herpes virus can not cause an inflammatory response in the body. However, a weak immune system will turn on a response in the Inflammation circuit when exposed to an infectious agent.
Lemon balm acts against the inflammation caused by disruption in your normal microbiome as a result of stress. This helps modulate the activities of the weak immune system to fight the foreign microbes.
Lemon balm facilitates the growth of good gut bacteria essential for correct food digestion, nutrient assimilation, and a strong immune system. It also modulates the action of gut-brain axis by decreasing inflammation.
Chronic stress usually leads to inflammation in your gut in the initial stages. This results in increasing the permeability of the lining of your gut. The noxious substances pass through the gut lining and set off your bodyās immune system. Further, they may travel to different organs such as the skin, brain, or heart where they start inflammation.
When the digestion and absorption processes of your body are defective, it makes it harder for you to get the various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for normal function. This triggers conditions such as stomach ulcers, irritable and inflammatory bowel syndrome, or the gastric slowdown leading to irregular bowel movements. The inflammation in the brain results in mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sleeping problems. This occurs in advanced stages of adrenal fatigue, which can mean good beneficial bacteria are replaced by foreign non-beneficial bacteria.
Lemon balm works to suppress the inflammation circuit, regulating the NEM response and the underlying adrenal fatigue.
Lemon balm may cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, headache, or painful urination. You may reduce the side effects, such as stomach upset, by consuming lemon balm a with food. You may also decrease the risk of side effects by consuming less than 2 grams of lemon balm per day. It should not be taken for more than four months continuously.
It is important to consult your health care coach before starting to use lemon balm, especially if you have AFS or other medical conditions. Special attention must be paid if you are taking thyroid medications, glaucoma medications, barbiturates, sedatives, or medications containing serotonin. You should also seek consultation if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, having surgery, or want to administer to a child younger than 12 years of age.
You can use lemon balm locally as a lip balm for cold sores or as a cream for genital herpes. It may also be used in the form of a tincture and capsules.
You can prepare a DIY lip balm at home. The recipe for making a lip balm is as follows:
Things to consider: For carrier oils, almond, olive, grapeseed, or sunflower oil are good choices. Coconut oil is not recommended, as it will harden and soften with the temperature. This makes it hard to know the correct amount of beeswax required so that it remains as a balm and not a melted pool in the container.
You can also make lemon balm tea or tincture.
If you are suffering from recurrent herpes infections, stress, or gut issues, exploring the use the lemon balm can be a good way to help find relief from some of your health challenges. Whether used topically or taken internally, lemon balm shows promise as a healing herb.
No matter what plan of action you decide to take, however, it's always safest to seek advice from a healthcare practitioner who will assess your particular situation and advise whether lemon balm is right for you.
If you would like to get additional information or need assistance determining the best herbs for you, the team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free** no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234 where we will privately discuss your symptoms and various appropriate choices. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor system by clicking here.
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Lemon balm acts as a valuable remedy for cold sores and genital herpes. It also calms your mind and provides relief in gut imbalances. Its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-anxiety properties are responsible for its benefits in your body.
