Lemon Balm
A calming, uplifting aromatic herb used to soothe the nervous system, reduce anxiety and restlessness, support digestion, ease viral infections, and promote gentle relaxation without sedation. Its lemon-scented leaves offer nervine, antiviral, and mood-modulating effects.
“Balm” is a shortened form of balsam, historically applied to aromatic plants with soothing qualities. The genus name Melissa means “honeybee” in Greek, reflecting the plant’s long association with beekeeping and its strong attraction for bees.as
Lemon balm acts as a gentle nervine and mild sedative, easing anxiety, nervous tension, palpitations associated with stress, premenstrual irritability, and menopausal mood fluctuations. It supports emotional balance in mild to moderate depression, melancholic states, and seasonal affective patterns, and may aid individuals with ADHD when combined with supportive lifestyle changes. Its calming effect extends to the digestive system, making it useful for nervous dyspepsia and related digestive discomfort. Lemon balm demonstrates antiviral activity against herpes simplex, mumps, vaccinia, Newcastle disease, and other viruses; topical applications help shorten the duration of herpes outbreaks and reduce recurrence when used early. It has antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium phlei and Streptococcus hemolyticus, and mild antifungal action. As a cooling diaphoretic, hot tea helps reduce fever during the early phases of cold or flu and promotes restful sleep during illness. Lemon balm may ease symptoms of early or mild hyperthyroidism, including in early Graves’ disease, though this must be monitored by a healthcare provider. Topically, it serves as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, and mild antimicrobial agent for irritated or inflamed skin.
Pliny and Dioscorides described lemon balm for wound healing and preventing infection, often applying leaves steeped in wine to animal bites and scorpion stings. Beekeepers traditionally planted lemon balm near hives or rubbed the leaves on hive interiors to encourage bees to stay close. Wine infused with the herb—known as “spirits of balm”—was used historically for fevers, nervous disorders, memory enhancement, and elevating the spirit. Paracelsus regarded it as an “elixir of life.” Carmelite nuns popularized Eau de Mélisse des Carmes, a lemon balm preparation used both medicinally and as a fragrance. Lemon balm was included in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from the 1840s–1890s before being removed for being considered “too mild.”
A bushy herbaceous perennial, typically 20–150 cm tall and 30–60 cm wide, with erect, branching, square stems characteristic of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, ovate to cordate, softly pubescent, and distinctly wrinkled, measuring 2–14 cm long and 1.5–7 cm wide, with dentate margins and a strong lemon scent when bruised. Flowers are small, pale pinkish-white, tubular, and grow in whorled clusters; the calyx is pubescent with five teeth, and the bilabiate corolla measures 8–15 mm. Like other Lamiaceae species, the four-lobed ovary matures into four tiny one-seeded nutlets.
Lemon balm may interact with thyroid hormone activity; individuals with hypothyroidism should avoid long-term daily use.
Fresh leaves: 1:2–1:3, 60–95% ethanol
Recently dried leaves: 1:5, 50–60% ethanol
Fresh leaves: 1:3–1:4 (50% glycerin : 50% ethanol)
or 1:3–1:4 (60% glycerin : 40% distilled water)
Infused in rice or champagne vinegar
Fresh-pressed juice preserved with 20% ethanol
Freeze-dried or freshly dried powder (2–4 capsules per dose)
Hot or cold infusion; use sub-boiling water and a covered vessel to retain volatile oils
Fresh herb steeped 2–4 weeks; infusion in simple syrup 1–3 days
Fomentation, poultice, infused oil (intermediary or direct method), or salve
Fresh leaves may be added to salads, vinegars, marinades, beverages, soups, butters, cheese preparations, fish, eggs, jams, desserts, and baked goods.
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, and notes from relevant CSHS lecturers.