Lemon Balm (balm, bee balm, cure-all, dropsy plant, honey plant, Melissa, Melissa folium, Melissa officinalis, sweet balm, sweet Mary)

Suggested dosing of Balm, bee balm (lemon balm)

 

Tea

1 cup PO PRN; 1.5-4.5 g leaf/150 mL water

 

Tincture

2-6 mL PO TID; 1:5 in 45% alcohoL

 

Cream/ointment

Apply 1% of a 70:1 lyophilized aqueous extract topically BID-QID up to 14 d

 

Suggested uses of Balm, bee balm (lemon balm)

Abdominal distension, antispasmodic, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, flatulence, Graves disease, herpes labialis (topical), insomnia

 

Efficacy

Possibly effective for listed uses

 

Balm, bee balm (lemon balm) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Hypersensitivity reactions

Sedation

Skin irritation (topical use)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypothyroidism

 

Cautions

Sedative agents

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: avoid use

Lactation: avoid use

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Balm, bee balm (lemon balm)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Tannins, polyphenols possess antiviral activity