Herbs & Supplements

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Uses

Lemon balm is probably more popular as an herbal remedy in Europe than it is in the United States, where it may be used more for flavoring. It is approved for "nervous sleeping disorders" and "functional gastrointestinal complaints" by Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Commission E is the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products. The United States does not have a comparable agency to evaluate herbal products.

Lemon balm contains volatile oils, including citronellal, citral A, and citral B, which are known to have sedative properties. Also called essential oils, volatile oils usually evaporate quickly at room temperature, providing the characteristic smell and taste of the plant. In both animal and human studies, lemon balm taken by mouth has had calming effects. In larger doses, it may promote sleep. In one study, researchers found that using lemon balm also improved memory and lengthened attention span for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This effect may be due to its content of antioxidants, which are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. Another small but interesting study used lemon balm as aromatherapy (the use of fragrances to affect mood) to calm overexcited individuals suffering from dementia. Dementia is an increasing deficiency in thought processes caused by brain damage such as from a stroke or disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

Traditionally, lemon balm has been used to treat menstrual cramps, urinary spasms, and gastrointestinal (GI) complaints. The volatile oils in lemon balm are believed to contain chemicals that relax muscles--particularly in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas, and nausea. However, results from laboratory research are inconclusive, and human studies have not been conducted to confirm these effects.

Lemon balm may block some of the activity of thyroid hormone in the body. Therefore, it has been used in the past to treat Grave's disease, an autoimmune condition in which the thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone. However, no human studies have been conducted for this possible use.

When applied to cold sores or genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus, creams or ointments containing lemon balm have speeded healing. The infections did not spread as much and individuals using topical lemon balm also reported more relief from symptoms such as itching and redness. At least part of this effect is due to antiviral properties of caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, which are contained in lemon balm. In laboratory studies, lemon balm has also displayed some antibacterial and antifungal activity, but no human studies have been done to prove its usefulness for treating these infections.