Melissae folium

Leaves of lemon balm.

Quality is laid down in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Internal: mild stress symptoms, sleep aid, mild cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence.
Approved, supported by clinical data: External: Herpes infections (cold sores caused by herpes simples HSV-1 and HSV-2)
ESCOP mon ograph: Internal: Tension, restlessness, irritability, digestive complaints, mild abdominal cramps; external: Cold sores (cold sores).
Commission E-monograph: Internal: Functional gastrointestinal complaints, nervousness-induced difficulty falling asleep.

Empirical medicine: external: Herpes simplex

Systemic: Lemon balm is used as a spice, medicinal plant and as a liqueur and tea. Indications are: gastrointestinal disorders. Also: nervous insomnia, restlessness, tension, irritability.

External uses: Baths are recommended for various skin inflammations.

Due to the content of rosmarinic acid, extracts of lemon balm leaves have an antimicrobial and antiviral action. Furthermore, they have a calming and antispasmodic effect.

Good results ( LOE-A= level of evidence - A) were described in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on 66 patients with a melissa cream (4 times/day for 5 days) for ( herpes simplex) (see below Phytotherapy. Antiherpetic effective are the citrals.

For external use: apply 1-2 mm cream strand or 10-20 mg cream/cm2 to the infected and adjacent skin areas 2-4 times/day.

For systemic use: 1.5-4.5g of drug (cut drug, drug powder, liquid extract) to 1 cup as an infusion several times a day as needed.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance citral. In pregnancy and lactation, as well as in children under 12 years due to lack of study data.

The fixed combination"valerian root, hop cones, lemon balm leaves" from:

• Valeriana radix(valerian root)
• Humulus lupulus (hop cone) and
• Melissae folium(lemon balm leaf extract)

has a sedative effect, it is prescribed for states of restlessness, tension and sleep disorders. The combination can also be used for children under 12 years.

Internal: Dr. Klinger's Bergischer Kräutertee (nerves and calming tea), Dr. Klinger's Herz- und Kreislauftee, Gerner Nervinum N, Heumann Beruhigungstee Tenerval® N, Lomaherpan® Creme, Nerventee-Stada®, Orbis® Blasen- und Nierentee, Orbis® Nerven- und Beruhigungstee.

Externally: in a cream formulation (Lomaherpan® cream), extracts of lemon balm leaves are used for herpes simplex recivans.

1. Astani A et al. (2014) Attachment and penetration of acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus are inhibited by Melissa officinalis extract. Phytother Res 28:1547-1552.
2. Mazzanti G et al. (2008) Inhibitory activity of Melissa officinalis L. extract on herpes simplex virus type 2 replication. Nat Prod Res 22:1433-1440.
3. Miraj S et al (2017) Melissa officinalis L: A Review Study With an Antioxidant Prospective. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 22:385-394.
4. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/melisse.php.
5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-melissa-officinalis-l-folium_en.pdf
6. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 159-160