Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral properties. A cream containing an extract of Melissa officinalis has been shown in German research to shorten the healing time of blisters and prevent recurrence of the cold sores.
Wöhlbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract of Melissa officinalis. Phytomed 1994;1(1):25–31.

Virucidal effect was registered within 3 and 6 hours of treatment using M4 administered in MTC. The remaining extracts inactivate the virus at the 12th and 24th hour. No significant values of inhibiting activity of M1, M2, and M3 on the same virus in vitro or in vivo were demonstrated. The presence of caffeic, rosmarinic and ferulic acids was demonstrated by thin-layer chromatography. Their role in the antiviral activity of M. officinalis L. is discussed.
Acta Microbiol Bulg 1993;29:65-72 Antiherpes effect of Melissa officinalis L. extracts. Dimitrova Z, Dimov B, Manolova N, Pancheva S, Ilieva D, Shishkov S Centre of Biogenic Stimulants, Sofia. Studies were carried out on the virucidal and antiviral effects of Melissa officinalis L. extracts (M1, M3, M3 and M4) with respect to Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Think Americans have the best of everything? Guess again. When it comes to herbs, European commercial products are often better than our own.

An herbal ointment for treating herpes, which is widely available in Europe, has lemon balm as the active ingredient. The herbal content is quite concentrated--700 milligrams of dry leaf material per gram of ointment.

In a rigorous scientific test of 116 people with herpes, the ointment containing lemon balm was 2.5 times as effective as a similar cream without the herb (a placebo). The herbal product was especially effective when treatment was begun early, as the lesions were first erupting.

In another study involving 115 people using lemon balm, 96 percent had healed completely by day 8, with no significant side effects. Normally it takes anywhere from 10 to 14 days for herpes sores to heal. If I had herpes, and if European lemon balm cream were available here, I'd try it. Unfortunately, it is not, so I stick with my garden melissa.

Source
Lemon balm is the leaf of a perennial herb in the mint family native to the Mediterranean region, western Asia, southwestern Siberia, and northern Africa. It is widely naturalized in North America and elsewhere.

Traditional Use
Lemon balm's history dates back at least 2,000 years. It has been used to reduce fevers, induce sweating, calm the digestive tract, treat colds, and relieve spasms related to cramps and headaches. In medieval Europe, the tea was valued for disorders of the nervous system. It has long been a popular folk remedy for insomnia. Lemon balm was official in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia from 1840 to 1890.

Current Status
Lemon balm has been shown to be sedative, to relieve spasms, and inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. The German government allows preparations of lemon balm to be labeled for difficulty in falling asleep due to nervous conditions and for spasms of the digestive tract.

Laboratory experiments have shown activity against viruses including mumps and herpes simplex. A lemon balm cream is sold in Germany for cold sores and conditions related to herpes simplex. In a clinical study of 115 patients with herpes, a cream containing 1 percent dried lemon balm extract was applied by the patients as needed five times daily for up to fourteen days until healing of herpes lesions was complete. In 96 percent of the patients, lesions were healed by day eight of the treatment, in 87 percent by day six, and in 60 percent by day four. Unassisted healing usually takes ten to fourteen days. A subsequent randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study compared the effect of the same cream with a placebo. Both physicians and patients judged the lemon balm cream superior to the placebo; it was found, however, that treatment must be started very early in the infection as accelerated healing was most pronounced in the first two days.

Preparations
The dried leaf is available for use as tea. The fresh leaves have a much stronger, more pleasant lemon flavor. Capsules and a cream containing a I percent extract are sold in the American market.

Cautions
None noted.

Symptoms
Digestive gas
Herpes sores
Insomnia

Melissa (Lemon balm)

Lemon balm is indicated by the fever that accompanies infections. Lemon balm contains polyphenols and tannins which provide antiviral effects. So far, clinical studies have shown oral lemon balm extracts to be effective against the viruses associated with influenza, measles, HIV and feline leukemia. Herpes infections can be healed in less time using a topical cream containing 1% lemon balm extract when started early and used 5 times per day.

Numerous test tube studies have found that extracts of melissa possess antiviral properties.^1,2,3 Apparently, the herb blocks viruses from attaching to cells.¹

Early studies of melissa ointments showed a significant reduction in the duration and severity of herpes symptoms (both genital and oral) and, when the cream was used regularly, a marked reduction in the frequency of recurrences. In initial study, the melissa-treated participants recovered in 5 days, while participants receiving nonspecific creams required 10 days.¹ Researchers also described a "tremendous reduction" in the frequency of recurrence. A subsequent double-blind study followed 116 individuals with oral or genital herpes at two dermatology centers.¹ Treated subjects showed a significantly better rate of recovery than those on placebo, according to physician and patient ratings.

A recent double-blind placebo-controlled study followed 66 individuals who were just starting to develop a cold sore (oral herpes).⁴ Treatment with melissa cream produced significant benefits on day 2, reducing the intensity of discomfort, number of blisters, and the size of the lesion. The researchers specifically looked at day 2 because, according to them, that is when symptoms are most pronounced. Furthermore, long-term follow-up suggested that prophylactic use of melissa can prolong the interval before the next herpes flare-up.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis

Melissa (Lemon balm)

Monograph : Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm Melissa officinalis

Melissa (Lemon balm)

Monograph : Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis