Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
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A Brief History of Lemon Balm Lemon balm, also known as sweet Melissa, has been used in herbal medicine for over 2000 years. Naturalized around the world (grown naturally), the herb likely originated in parts of Southern Europe and Turkey. The Greeks may be the earliest recorded people to have used lemon balm, dating back to 300 B.C.E. (Historia Plantarum by Theophrastus, 3) (1).
The genus, Melissa, is Greek for the word "bee". It is believed that the Greeks named the plant this because of its ability to attract bees. And so, the Greeks grew lemon balm near beehives which encouraged the bees to return home (1). |
Cultivation in Europe During their conquest of Southern Europe, the Moors brought lemon balm to Spain in the 7th century. An herb of the mint family, its potent fragrance was known to mask the odors of the times. By the end of the Middle Ages (476-1453 C.E.) lemon balm would become a common cultivation in the kingdoms throughout Europe (1).
As the herb increased in popularity, its' seed would travel as far west as the Americas with the help of European pilgrims (1). Medicinal Use in History Lemon balm's full Latin name is melissa (honeybee) officinalis (used in medicine). It is referenced in historical texts for its uplifting qualities and early herbalists advocated for its use in treating depression. And in Greek medicine, it was documented that sweet melissa could be used to treat gout, toothache, and when prepared with wine, to aid wounds from scorpion stings and dog bites (1).
“Balm makes the heart merry and joyful.” - old Arabian proverb. Sometime later, it was equally discovered by English herbalists that lemon balm, when prepared with wine, is good "against the bitings of venomous beasts, comforts the heart, and driveth away all melancholy and sadness" (4).
The Roman Catholic religious order, the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, or simply the Carmelites, would develop a drink, using lemon balm, known as Carmelite water (circa 1300-1600) which they claimed would promote human longevity. The primary ingredients in Carmelite water vary from traditional preparations but are available to purchase to this day (1). |
Falling in Love King Charlemagne (Charles the Great of the Franks and Roman Emperor) was one of many rulers to fall in love with sweet melissa. He requested that the plant was grown in every monastery garden in his kingdom for its aroma and beauty (2).
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Other Uses in History
In parts of Europe, lemon balm was lain upon the ground to freshen the smell of the home or room of which it would lay. Oil from the herb was also used to polish furniture. In Floriography or the Victorian language of flowers, lemon balm was added to a bouquet so signify a range of affections, from "don't misuse me", to "memories", and "social intercourse" (1).
Other interesting uses included incense, potpourri, and tea by the early North American colonists, as well as a substitute for the flavor of lemon in jam and jelly (1).
Other interesting uses included incense, potpourri, and tea by the early North American colonists, as well as a substitute for the flavor of lemon in jam and jelly (1).
Health Benefits of Lemon Balm
We know that lemon balm found a place among medicinal herbs in world history, but how is it being used today? Is there any research to support how the plant was used historically? Let us uncover some of the science on the subject.
Antioxidants
The Chemistry Department at the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil conducted a study to test the antioxidant effects of several different extracts from plants, one of which was Melissa officinalis. Specifically taking into consideration the oxidization that leads to neurological diseases, they tested the extracts against different forms of stressors (5).
"The antioxidant effect of phenolic compounds commonly found in plant extracts, namely, quercetin, gallic acid, quercitrin, and rutin was also examined for comparative purposes. Cerebral lipid peroxidation (assessed by TBARS) was induced by iron sulfate (10 microM), sodium nitroprusside (5 microM) or 3-nitropropionic acid (2 mM). Free radical scavenger properties and the chemical composition of plant extracts were assessed by 1'-1' Diphenyl-2' picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), respectively." - Departamento de Química (5)
Out of the different plant extracts tested, the lemon balm extract revealed that M. officinalis could be considered an "effective agent in the prevention of various neurological diseases associated with oxidative stress" (5).
In another study, extracts of "six traditionally used medicinal plants were investigated" for their total tannin, flavan-3-ol, flavonoid, and phenol content. The faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, found lemon balm extract as well as blackberry leaf extract to have the overall highest content of phenolic compounds (6).
They concluded that the "Examined medicinal plants showed to be a valuable supplement to a daily intake of bioactive compounds" (6).
Conclusion:
They concluded that the "Examined medicinal plants showed to be a valuable supplement to a daily intake of bioactive compounds" (6).
Conclusion:
- Lemon balm has been found to be high in antioxidants
What is Inflammation? Inflammation plays an important role in regulating our health. For example, say a condition occurs when the skin is damaged and becomes in need of repair; inflammation, or the inflammatory response of our body, is, in part, white blood cells fighting the wound from infection. This is the same for internal illness and fever - fever is caused by inflammation. However, inflammation can also cause Arthritis, heart disease, and promote cancer. We must regulate the regulators of the human body. |
Anti-infalmmatory
In a study aimed at determining whether lemon balm extract would inhibit diet-induced obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in female ovariectomized (ovaries have been removed) mice, the researchers found that melissa officinalis extract "inhibited inflammatory responses" (7).
Equally, in a collaborative project aimed at understanding and treating the cardiotoxicity that occurs with doxorubicin (DOX)-based anticancer therapy, it was discovered that m. officinalis reduced the oxidative damage that is known to accompany this form of chemotherapy. They suggest that:
Equally, in a collaborative project aimed at understanding and treating the cardiotoxicity that occurs with doxorubicin (DOX)-based anticancer therapy, it was discovered that m. officinalis reduced the oxidative damage that is known to accompany this form of chemotherapy. They suggest that:
"Thus, combination of DOX and MO (melissa officinalis) may prove future cancer treatment protocols safer and more efficient." - Hamza AA, Ahmed MM, Elwey HM, Amin A (8)
Conclusion:
- Lemon balm contains anti-inflammatory properties, especially when ingested.
How Lemon Balm Benefits the Skin
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects found in lemon balm are two very important reasons to have this plant in any skincare product. Both will promote healthy and vibrant skin.
Another particularly important reason we grow lemon balm and create lemon balm extract is that the extract serves as a natural preservative for our bath and body products. And we have found it to be seriously effective.
Another particularly important reason we grow lemon balm and create lemon balm extract is that the extract serves as a natural preservative for our bath and body products. And we have found it to be seriously effective.
Works Cited:
1) Lemon Balm: An Herb Society of America Guide. http://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/d7d790e9-c19e-4a40-93b0-8f4b45a644f1
2) The Grow Journey of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.). https://www.growjourney.com/lemon-balm-history-grow-journey/#.Wt9qp9PwZTY
3) Theophrastus of Eresus. http://botany.edwardworthlibrary.ie/ancient-botany/theophrastus/
4) Gerard, John. 1975. The herbal or general history of plants: the complete 1633 edition as revised and enlarged by Thomas Johnson. New York: Dover.
5) Antioxidant effects of different extracts from Melissa officinalis, Matricaria recutita and Cymbopogon citratus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18853256
6) Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of some traditionally used medicinal plants affected by the extraction time and hydrolysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20848396
7) The lemon balm extract ALS-L1023 inhibits obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in female ovariectomized mice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28571771
8) Melissa officinalis Protects against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats and Potentiates Its Anticancer Activity on MCF-7 Cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27880817
2) The Grow Journey of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.). https://www.growjourney.com/lemon-balm-history-grow-journey/#.Wt9qp9PwZTY
3) Theophrastus of Eresus. http://botany.edwardworthlibrary.ie/ancient-botany/theophrastus/
4) Gerard, John. 1975. The herbal or general history of plants: the complete 1633 edition as revised and enlarged by Thomas Johnson. New York: Dover.
5) Antioxidant effects of different extracts from Melissa officinalis, Matricaria recutita and Cymbopogon citratus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18853256
6) Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of some traditionally used medicinal plants affected by the extraction time and hydrolysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20848396
7) The lemon balm extract ALS-L1023 inhibits obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in female ovariectomized mice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28571771
8) Melissa officinalis Protects against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats and Potentiates Its Anticancer Activity on MCF-7 Cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27880817