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Balm
Melissa officinalis
Labiatae
Citations
Names : Lemon Balm, Sweet Balm, Melissa.
Habitat : A common plant in Britain, Europe, W. Asia and N. Africa.
Collection : The leaves may be harvested two or three times a year
between June and September. They are gathered by cutting off the young
shoots when they are approximately 30cm (l2 inches) long. They should be
dried in the shade at a temperature not above 35 degrees C.
Part Used : Dried aerial parts, or fresh in season.
Constituents : o Volatile oil, 0.l-0.2%, consisting mainly of citral a
& b (= neral and geranial), with caryophyllene oxide, and in smaller
quantities a whole range of terpenes such as linalool, citronellal, b-caryophyllene,
nerol, geraniol, traces of eugenyl acetate, beta-ocimene, copaene and a-cubebene.
o Flavonoids in low concentrations; luteolin-7-glucoside and rhamnazin.
o Polyphenolics, including protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic
acid
& tannins.
o Triterpenic acids such as ursolic and pomolic acids.
Actions : Carminative, nervine, anti-spasmodic, anti-depressive,
diaphoretic, anti-microbial, hepatic.
Indications : Balm is an excellent carminative herb that relieves spasms
in the digestive tract and is used in flatulent dyspepsia. Because of
its mild anti-depressive properties, it is primarily indicated where
there is dyspepsia associated with anxiety or depression, as the gently
sedative oils relieve tension and stress reactions, thus acting to
lighten depression. The volatile oil appears to act on the interface
between the digestive tract and nervous system. It has been described by
some herbalists as being trophorestorative to the nervous system,
similar in some ways to Oats. It may be used in migraine that is
associated with tension, neuralgia, anxiety induced palpitations,
insomnia. Balm has a tonic effect on the heart and circulatory system
causing mild vaso-dilation of the peripheral vessels, thus acting to
lower blood pressure. It can be used in feverish conditions such as
influenza. Hot water extracts have anti-viral properties, possibly due
in part to rosmarinic acid and other polyphenolics. A lotion based
extract may be used for skin lesions of Herpes simplex, the anti-viral
activity having been confirmed both laboratory and clinical trial. Its
hormone regulating effects are well documented in the laboratory.
Freeze-dried aqueous extracts inhibit many of the effects of thyroid
stimulating hormone (TSH) on the thyroid gland by interfering with the
binding of TSH to plasma membranes and by inhibiting the enzyme
iodothyronine de-iodinase in vitro. It also inhibits the receptor
binding and biological activity of immunoglobulins in the blood of
patients with Graves disease, a condition which results in
hyperthyroidism.
According to Kings Dispensatory Balm is moderately stimulant,
diaphoretic, and antisipasmodic. A warm infusion, drank freely, has been
serviceable a diaphoretic in febrile diseases and painful menstruation,
and to assist the operation of other diaphoretic medicines; in
combination with ipecacuanha and potassium nitrate, a valuable
diaphoretic is formed. It is also occasionally used to assist
menstruation. When given in fevers, it may be rendered more agreeable by
the addition of lemon juice. The infusion may be taken ad libitum.
Combinations : In digestive troubles it may be combined with Hops,
Chamomile or Meadowsweet. However, Hops is contra-indicated in
depression. For stress and tension it will combine with Lavender and
Linden.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto
2-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb or 4-6 fresh leaves and leave to
infuse for l0-l5 minutes, well covered until drunk. A cup of this tea
should be taken in the morning and the evening, or when needed.
Tincture: take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins
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