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  • Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and is considered a calming herb.
  • The leaves are similar in shape to mint leaves and have a tart and sweet smell like lemons.
  • Lemon balm has been researched by experts and found to offer many great health benefits

Contents

Uses

  • Digestive problems, including upset stomach, bloating, intestinal gas (flatulence), vomiting, and colic
  • Pain, including menstrual cramps, headache and toothache
  • Mental disorders, including hysteria and melancholia.
  • The leaves give off a strong tart smell that insects do not like. The insect-repellant essential oils it contains include citronella and monoterpenaldehydes citral A and B. The essential oils that are released from the leaves are also used to treat insomnia, nervousness and anxiety.

Benefits

  • Lemon balm contains chemicals that seem to have a sedative, calming effect.
  • Antioxidants: Lemon balm is rich in caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, which are powerful antioxidants that neutralize reactive oxygen species. It also contains eugenol, which acts like a natural anti-inflammatory that helps soothe painful conditions. These compounds offer profound antibacterial and antiviral properties and protect the lipid membrane of cells.
  • Immune system : The caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid in lemon balm contain antibacterial and antiviral properties when taken in both oral and topical forms. Topical lemon balm has been shown to reduce redness and itching from infections and eczema. These acids are particularly effective against strep throat, mumps and herpes among other things.
    • A 2008 study published in Phytomedicine showed that lemon balm was highly effective at reducing the herpes simplex virus on the skin. Another 2008 study showed that lemon balm was highly effective at reducing viruses, gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. It does not have a great effect with gram-negative bacteria.

Cautions

  • Lemon balm is not to be used in high amounts (trace amounts are ok) in pregnant women and individuals taking the thyroid medication thyroxine.
  • Caution should be used when giving oral treatments to infants and children.
  • Breastfeeding women should also avoid taking large clinical doses of lemon balm as well.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:

  • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with LEMON BALM: Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking lemon balm along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
    • Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

Other Names

Balm, Bálsamo de Limón, Cure-All, Dropsy Plant, Honey Plant, Melisa, Melissenblatt, Monarde, Sweet Balm, Sweet Mary, Toronjil.

References

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