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