Lemon Balm Benefits & Uses
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Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon scented herb with a mild lemon flavor. It’s also known as balm, common balm, balm mint, or Melissa balm. This herb soothes and heals, from skin ailments to stomach troubles. It’s also a versatile addition to recipes.
Native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia, this durable perennial comes back year after year. This adaptable mint family plant is a welcome addition to any herb garden. We’ll share benefits and uses of this lovely lemony plant.
Using Lemon Balm in the Kitchen
Lemon balm is a versatile herb in the kitchen, known for its mild lemon scent and flavor. Use it fresh or dried, adding it near the end of cooking to preserve the lemon flavor.
Enjoy the leaves in tea, infused water, cocktails, or mocktails, as you would use mint. It pairs well with citrus. Lemon balm marinades and herb butters work well with fish and chicken. Finely chopped leaves make a nice addition to salads, or a base for pesto.
On the sweeter side, try the leaves in cakes, cookies or sorbets for a mild citrus flavor. You can also add a small amount of leaves to jam and jelly recipes.
Lemon Balm Benefits
Lemon balm has a wide array of uses (actions), including:
- Analgesic – pain relief
- Antidepressant – eases symptoms of mild depression
- Antimicrobial – kills or stops the growth of microorganisms
- Antioxidant – protects cells against free radicals
- Antispasmodic – relieves muscle spasm
- Antiviral – helps fight off viruses
- Anxiolytic – reduces anxiety
- Carminative – relieves flatulence
- Diaphoretic – induces perspiration to cool the body, reduces fevers
- Nervine – supports the nervous system
- Radioprotective – protects against radiation
- Trophorestorative – has a healing, restorative action, in this case, on the nervous system
In our high stress world, the calming, soothing action of lemon balm is a welcome tonic. It is truly a “balm” to the nervous system.
Pain Relief
Several studies suggest that a dose of lemon balm may help relieve pain. One recent study used lemon balm supplements to ease after pains of new mothers. Another study used Melissa officinalis tea for patients after orthopedic surgery.
Relief from Nausea and Flatulence
As a carminative, lemon balm reduce excess gas. It also acts as a stomach soother, which makes it an excellent addition to spicy meals. For those dealing with stomach upset or lack of appetite due to stress, it calms and soothes the anxiety and the gut.
Antidepressant
Melissa officinalis has a long history of use for depression, and recent studies support this claim. A small study found the effects of lemon balm to be similar to Fluoxetine (Prozac). This suggests that it may be help for mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.
Antimicrobial & Anti-Inflammatory
Lemon balm is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and is an excellent natural remedy for common skin issues. It reduces swelling and redness in conditions such as acne, shingles, chickenpox, eczema, cold sores, and psoriasis. It effectively combats sunburn, and reduces inflammation caused by UV radiation.
Lemon Balm For Herpes
Lemon balm leaves are effective in relieving symptoms of herpes simplex virus. A study found that lemon balm extract has antiviral activity against herpes simplex infections.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that standardized lemon balm cream effectively treats herpes simplex labialis.
This treatment is effective in the early stages of infection, especially when combined with self-heal (Prunella vulgaris). You can apply a tincture, tea, cream, or salve directly to the lesions for relief. Do not use essential oils directly on the skin without a carrier oil.
The formulation reduced healing time, prevented infection spread, and quickly alleviated typical symptoms like itching and swelling.
Anti-Anxiety & Improved Focus
Many different studies suggest that lemon balm improves mood and cognitive function. From depressed diabetics to anxious angina sufferers, people found calm with the balm.
Another study tested mood and cognitive performance, and noted improved calmness and memory in participants.
Sleep Disorders
The study, “A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children” demonstrated that the combination was effective and well tolerated.
Another study evaluated its use for sleeplessness and pain after coronary bypass surgery. Those patients with the treatment had reduced anxiety and better sleep quality than the controls.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm is well known and widely used for its gentle, sedative and calming properties. Its pleasant aroma and mild, pleasant flavor, make it a popular choice for children or for those new to herbal remedies.
Lemon balm can be used independently, or with other herbs to improve both their taste and activity. Its traditional uses include soothing mild mental stress symptoms, promoting healthy sleep, and alleviating mild gastrointestinal upset.
To make the tea, steep a handful of fresh leaves in one cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten before serving, if desired. For dried leaves, use one to two teaspoons per cup. You may also add lemon slices for additional lemon flavor.
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Adult Dosage
Tea: Take 1 cup (1-2 teaspoons dried herb in 8 fluid ounces of water) of tea two to four times per day
Tincture: 3-5 mL (1:5, 30%), three to four times per day
Cold infusion: 4-8 fluid ounces (0.5 ounces of dried herb in 1 quart water), one to four times per day
Lemon Balm for Children
Lemon balm is particularly beneficial for children. The tea can help with digestive upset, nausea, and constipation, especially when associated with anxiety. Additionally, it aids in alleviating flu symptoms, breaking a fever, and relieving congestion.
Similar to its effects in adults, lemon balm helps relax muscles, reduces excitability, and uplifts the mood. Add the tea to bath water for a soothing soak.
Lemon balm is well-received by children due to its pleasant aroma and flavor. It can be especially useful when combined with other formulas containing less agreeable or bitter-tasting herbs.
Begin with a very weak tea, sweeten it as desired. Avoid using honey with children under 12 months. Gradually increase the strength to a level that the individual can tolerate well. Administer by spoon, dropper, or add to breastmilk in their bottle.
Lemon Balm Salve Recipe
Use this salve topically for conditions such as sunburn, bug bites, eczema, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves (or 1/2 cup dried leaves)
- 1 cup carrier oil (such as olive oil or coconut oil)
- 1/4 cup beeswax (grated or pellets)
Instructions
Infusing the Oil: In a heat-resistant glass jar, combine the lemon balm leaves and carrier oil. Place the jar in a sunny windowsill or in a warm location for about 2 to 4 weeks. Shake it daily to help the infusion process.
Alternatively, you can carefully infuse the herb in oil in a double boiler on the stove top on low heat. Be careful to avoid scorching the leaves. Heat for around 4 to 6 hours.
Straining the Infused Oil: After the infusion period, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove the plant material. Squeeze out as much oil as possible.
Preparing the Salve: In a double boiler or a heat-resistant bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, combine the infused oil with grated or pelletized beeswax. Heat the mixture until the beeswax melts, stirring consistently.
Pour the liquid salve into clean, dry containers. Small jars or tins work well. Allow the salve to cool and solidify at room temperature. This usually takes a few hours.
Once the salve has solidified, label the containers with the date and ingredients for future reference.
Apply the lemon balm salve topically to the skin as needed to soothe minor skin irritations, dry skin, or as a calming balm. Remember to perform a patch test before widespread use to ensure there are no allergic reactions. If you experience any adverse effects, discontinue use.
Lemon Balm Safety
Always double check herb use with your healthcare provider if you are on prescription medications. Individuals with hypothyroid conditions or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis should avoid using lemon balm in large doses due to its mild thyroxine-inhibiting effect.
Large doses may also negatively affect thyroid hormone medications. When dealing with thyroid conditions, it is best to use lemon balm under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, do not consume large amounts of lemon balm. A cup or two of tea or normal culinary use is fine.
Whether you enjoy it in the kitchen, or incorporate it into herbal preparations, lemon balm is a valuable addition to both the garden and the home apothecary.
The Home Apothecary Series
This article is part of the Home Apothecary series, where we help you learn about simple herbal remedies.
Some other articles in the series include:
White Willow Bark – Harvesting & Use
Ginger Root Uses and Health Benefits
How to use Mint Leaves for Food, Medicine & More
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is an avid plant researcher with a massive library of herbal books and extensive herb gardens. She’s studied at the Herbal Academy and is a firm believer in the healing power of plants.