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Name
Lemon
Balm
Botanical Name:
Melissa officinalis
Other Names
Balm, Bee Balm, Cure-all, The De France,
Heart's Delight, Sweet Balm
Family:
Lamiaceae
Balm is from
the Mint (Labiatae) family.
Parts
Used
Flowers,
Leaves
Description
Lemon
balm is an aromatic perennial subshrub with bright green leaves, square
stem and tiny white flowers. native to the eastern
Mediterranean region and western Asia, widely cultivated throughout
Europe.
Overview
and Mythology.
Melissa
is Greek for 'honey bee',
referring to the bee's attraction to its flower and the quality of the
honey produced from it
Lemon
balm steeped in wine was used orally and topically in ancient Greek and
Roman and Indian medicines, as surgical dressing for wounds, and to
treat venomous bites and stings, as mentioned in the writings of
Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder.
This
herb was sacred in the temple of Diana.
Avicenna and Paracelsus said Lemon Balm 'causeth the mind and
heart to be merrie'.
The essential oil is expensive and
sometimes adulterated with citronella oil.
Constituents.
Essential Oil - (citral, linalool,
eugenol, citronellal
30–40%,,
geraniol
10–30%
Tannins - unique
to the Lamiaceae, such as triterpenylic
Bitter Principle,
Resin
Polyphenols
in
the form of
Phenolic
Acids:
1.Caffeic
Acid
Caffeic
Acid stimulates the flow of Bile.
Caffeic Acid blocks the formation of some forms of Cancer:
Caffeic Acid blocks the formation of Colon Cancer following exposure to
carcinogens.
Caffeic Acid helps to prevent Glioblastoma Multiforme.
Caffeic Acid helps to prevent Melanoma.
Caffeic Acid blocks the formation of Skin Cancer following exposure to
carcinogens.
Caffeic Acid suppresses some types of Detrimental Bacteria:
Caffeic Acid helps to protect against infection by Staphylococcus aureus
- the detrimental bacteria responsible for “Golden Staph”.
Caffeic Acid suppresses some types of Detrimental Fungi.
Caffeic Acid inhibits Inflammation.
Caffeic Acid suppresses some Viruses.
Caffeic
Acid possesses Antioxidant properties:
Caffeic Acid neutralizes Peroxynitritie Free Radicals.
Caffeic Acid protects the Liver from some toxic substances.
2.Ferulic
Acid
Ferulic
Acid helps to maintain normal Smooth Muscle tone in Blood Vessels.
Ferulic Acid helps to prevent many forms of Cancer.
Ferulic Acid helps to prevent Inflammation.
Ferulic Acid possesses Antioxidant properties. -Ferulic Acid neutralizes
Peroxynitrite Free Radicals.
Ferulic Acid alleviates Anxiety.
Ferulic Acid increases the viability and motility of Sperm (in both
fertile men and in Male Infertility patients).
Ferulic Acid helps to maintain normal Smooth Muscle tone in the Uterus.
Flavonoids,- quercitrin,
rhamnocitrin, and the 7-glucosides of apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin,
and luteolin;
Organic
Acids:
Rosmarinic Acid[4%].
Succinic Acid,
Minerals:
Chlorine
Sodium
Triterpenes
(ursolic,
oleanolic acids)
Medicinal Actions
Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Carminative, Cholinergic
activities Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge,
Hypotensive, Memory-improving [due to
cholinergic
activities identified in extracts
of lemon balm], Nervine, Rejuvenative,
Sedative, Sleep disorders, Stomach Tonic, Tonic.
Dosage
Recommendations
Infusion
of Balm tea 1 teaspoon of dried aerial parts made into
a tea (i.e. combined with 150 ml of boiling water). If
required 3 cups per day.
Applications.
Tea,
Tincture, Capsules
Used
in the following internal illnesses
Anxiety, Chickenpox, Colds, Colic,
Dementia, Depression, Dysmenorrhea, Fever, Flu, Headache, Herpes,
Homesickness, Hysteria, Insomnia, Mumps, Nausea, Nervousness,
Nightmares, Shingles, Tachycardia, Teething
Useful for early senility and acts as a mild hypotensive.
Also good for heart palpitations due to nerves.
Lemon Balm acts upon the part of the brain governing the
autonomic nervous system and protect the cerbrum from excessive external
stimuli.
Used for stimulating the appetite.
Health Benefits of Balm
Digestive System
Balm (tea) alleviates Colic.
Balm stimulates the Digestive System.
Balm (tea) alleviates Flatulence (according to folklore).
Balm (tea consumed with meals or 9 - 15 ml of Balm fluid
extract/tincture per day) alleviates Indigestion.
Immune System
Balm inhibits some types of Detrimental Fungi.
Balm (tea) helps to reduce Fever (due to Volatile Oils)
Balm (tea) alleviates Influenza.
Metabolism
Balm possesses Antioxidant properties (due to its
Rosmarinic Acid content).
Balm alleviates Grave’s Disease (due to components of Balm
inhibiting the attachment of the Antibodies that cause Grave’s Disease
to the Thyroid gland).
Nervous System
Balm sedates the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Balm (tea) alleviates Insomnia (by sedating the CNS).
Balm (tea) improves Memory
Balm is claimed to alleviate Migraine
Balm is claimed to alleviate Vertigo
External Medicinal Use
Boils, Eczema, Headache, Herpes, Insect Bites, Shingles
Applications.
Use
as compress for swellings such as gout.
applied to eczema and headaches.
Use a poultice for boils.
Lemon Balm is made into facial toners and beauty lotions.
It is an ingredient in Carmelite water.
Use as a salve for insect bites or simply rub the fresh leaf on the
afflicted area.
Used in sachets to repel moths.
Used as a bath herb, massage oil, and perfume.
Balm is an ingredient in some topically-applied creams designed to treat
the symptoms of Herpes lesions
Balm (concentrated extract formulated into a cream and applied
topically) inhibits the Herpes Simplex Virus When applied topically to people with their first HSV1 infection
Balm (cream) prevented future outbreaks of HSV1 Cold Sores in 100% of
cases.
Balm (cream applied topically) accelerates the healing of the
lesions associated with HSV1 (on average, Balm treatment shortens the
average healing period for HSV1 from 10 days to 5 days).
Balm (cream applied topically) increases the period between HSV1
outbreaks in people who are afflicted with frequent HSV1 outbreaks (Balm
increases the period between HSV outbreaks to an average of 3.5 months).
Although Balm does not kill the Herpes Simplex Virus, it
interrupts the replication of the Virus by binding with the Receptors
that the Virus requires in order to multiply.
The optimal Balm preparation for the topical treatment of Herpes
Simplex is a 70:1 extract of Balm formulated into a 1% cream.
Balm (extract applied topically) alleviates the
lesions associated with Herpes Zoster (Shingles).
Energetics.
Sour,
Pungent, Cold, Dry
Contra indications and side effect
Generally none
Eyes/Vision - Glaucoma patients should not use Balm (as animal
studies have indicated that Balm raises intra-ocular pressure in the
Eyes).
This is a safe herb for children, and it tastes very good. Lemon
Balm can lower thyroid function, which is good for some but not others.
Use During Pregnancy And Lactation.
No
restrictions known
Interactions with Other Drugs.
None
known
Doctrine of signatures
The odour is soothing and relaxing.
Astrology.
Jupiter in Cancer and ruled by the Moon
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