Uses

Culinary use

Lemon balm is often used as a flavouring in <a title="Ice cream" href="/wiki/Ice_cream">ice cream</a> and <a class="mw-redirect" title="Tisane" href="/wiki/Tisane">herbal teas</a>, both hot and <a title="Iced tea" href="/wiki/Iced_tea">iced</a>, often in combination with other <a title="Herb" href="/wiki/Herb">herbs</a> such as <a class="mw-redirect" title="Spearmint" href="/wiki/Spearmint">spearmint</a>. It is also frequently paired with fruit dishes or <a title="Candy" href="/wiki/Candy">candies</a>. It can be used in fish dishes and is the key ingredient in lemon balm pesto. It has been suggested that it might be a better, healthier preservative than <a title="Beta hydroxy acid" href="/wiki/Beta_hydroxy_acid">beta hydroxy acid</a> in sausages <a href="#cite_note-5">[5]</a>

<h3>[<a title="Edit section: Medicinal uses" href="/w/index.php?title=Melissa_officinalis&action=edit&section=4">edit</a>] Medicinal uses</h3>

The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for <a title="Mosquito" href="/wiki/Mosquito">mosquitos</a>.<a href="#cite_note-6">[6]</a>

Lemon balm is also used medicinally as an herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have <a title="Antibacterial" href="/wiki/Antibacterial">antibacterial</a> and <a title="Antiviral drug" href="/wiki/Antiviral_drug">antiviral</a> properties (it is effective against <a title="Herpes simplex" href="/wiki/Herpes_simplex">herpes simplex</a>).<a href="#cite_note-7">[7]</a><a href="#cite_note-8">[8]</a><a href="#cite_note-9">[9]</a>

It is also used as an <a title="Anxiolytic" href="/wiki/Anxiolytic">anxiolytic</a>, mild <a title="Sedative" href="/wiki/Sedative">sedative</a> or calming agent. At least one study has found it to be effective at reducing stress, although the study's authors call for further research.<a href="#cite_note-10">[10]</a> Lemon balm extract was identified as a potent <a title="In vitro" href="/wiki/In_vitro">in vitro</a> inhibitor of <a class="mw-redirect" title="4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase" href="/wiki/4-Aminobutyrate_aminotransferase">GABA transaminase</a>, which explains anxiolytic effects. The major compound responsible for GABA transaminase inhibition activity in lemon balm was then found to be <a title="Rosmarinic acid" href="/wiki/Rosmarinic_acid">rosmarinic acid</a>.<a href="#cite_note-11">[11]</a>

Lemon balm and preparations thereof also have been shown to improve mood and mental performance. These effects are believed to involve <a class="mw-redirect" title="Muscarinic" href="/wiki/Muscarinic">muscarinic</a> and <a class="mw-redirect" title="Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors" href="/wiki/Nicotinic_acetylcholine_receptors">nicotinic acetylcholine receptors</a>.<a href="#cite_note-12">[12]</a> Positive results have been achieved in a small clinical trial involving Alzheimer patients with mild to moderate symptoms.<a href="#cite_note-13">[13]</a> Essential oils obtained from Melissa officinalis leaf showed high <a title="Acetylcholinesterase" href="/wiki/Acetylcholinesterase">acetylcholinesterase</a> and <a title="Butyrylcholinesterase" href="/wiki/Butyrylcholinesterase">butyrylcholinesterase</a> co-inhibitory activities.<a href="#cite_note-14">[14]</a>

Its antibacterial properties have also been demonstrated scientifically, although they are markedly weaker than those from a number of other plants studied.<a href="#cite_note-15">[15]</a> The extract of lemon balm was also found to have exceptionally high <a title="Antioxidant" href="/wiki/Antioxidant">antioxidant</a> activity.<a href="#cite_note-16">[16]</a>

Lemon balm is mentioned in the scientific journal Endocrinology, where it is explained that Melissa officinalis exhibits antithyrotropic activity, inhibiting <a title="Thyroid-stimulating hormone" href="/wiki/Thyroid-stimulating_hormone">TSH</a> from attaching to <a class="mw-redirect" title="TSH receptor" href="/wiki/TSH_receptor">TSH receptors</a>, hence making it of possible use in the treatment of <a title="Graves' disease" href="/wiki/Graves%27_disease">Graves' disease</a> or <a title="Hyperthyroidism" href="/wiki/Hyperthyroidism">hyperthyroidism</a>.<a href="#cite_note-17">[17]</a>

Lemon balm <a title="Essential oil" href="/wiki/Essential_oil">essential oil</a> is very popular in <a title="Aromatherapy" href="/wiki/Aromatherapy">aromatherapy</a>. The essential oil is commonly co-distilled with lemon oil, <a title="Citronella" href="/wiki/Citronella">citronella</a> oil, or other oils.

Lemon balm is used in some variations of the Colgate Herbal toothpaste for its soothing and aromatic properties.<a href="#cite_note-18">[18]</a>

Lemon balm should be avoided by those on thyroid medication (such as <a class="mw-redirect" title="Thyroxine" href="/wiki/Thyroxine">thyroxine</a>), as it is believed the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.<a href="#cite_note-19">[19]</a>

Despite extensive traditional medicinal use, melissa oil was initially prohibited by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA)'s 43rd amendment,<a href="#cite_note-20">[20]</a> but this restriction appears to have been revisited and relaxed in the 44th amendment.<a href="#cite_note-21">[21]</a>

Ob-X, a mixture of three herbs, Morus alba, M. officinalis, and Artemisia capillaris, may help regulate obesity. Ob-X reduces body weight gain and visceral adipose tissue mass in genetically obese mice.<a href="#cite_note-22">[22]</a>

Recent research found a daily dose of the tea reduced <a title="Oxidative stress" href="/wiki/Oxidative_stress">oxidative stress</a> status in radiology staff that were exposed to persistent low-dose radiation during work.

After only 30 days of taking the tea daily researchers found Lemon balm tea resulted in a significant improvement in plasma levels of catalase, <a title="Superoxide dismutase" href="/wiki/Superoxide_dismutase">superoxide dismutase</a>, and <a title="Glutathione peroxidase" href="/wiki/Glutathione_peroxidase">glutathione peroxidase</a> and a marked reduction in plasma DNA damage, <a title="Myeloperoxidase" href="/wiki/Myeloperoxidase">myeloperoxidase</a>, and <a title="Lipid peroxidation" href="/wiki/Lipid_peroxidation">lipid peroxidation</a>.<a href="#cite_note-23">[23]</a>

Lemon balm was found to be effective in the amelioration of laboratory-induced stress in human subjects, producing "significantly increased self-ratings of calmness and reduced self-ratings of alertness." The authors further report a "significant increase in the speed of mathematical processing, with no reduction in accuracy" following the administration of a 300 mg dose.<a href="#cite_note-24">[24]</a>

Lemon balm is the main ingredient of <a title="Carmelite Water" href="/wiki/Carmelite_Water">Carmelite Water</a>, which is still for sale in German pharmacies.<a href="#cite_note-25">[25]</a>