Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration (THMR).

Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data Externally, for symptomatic treatment of herpes labialis (16–18). Uses described in pharmacopoeias and in traditional systems of medicine Orally as a carminative for gastrointestinal disorders, and as a sedative for treatment of nervous disturbances of sleep (5, 15). Uses described in folk medicine, not supported by experimental or clinical data Treatment of amenorrhoea, asthma, bee stings, coughs, dizziness, dysmenorrhoea, migraine headaches, tachycardia, toothache, tracheobronchitis and urinary incontinence (6, 19). Contraindications External use: none. Internal use: see Precautions - Precautions Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility A tincture of Folium Melissae was not mutagenic in vitro (31) and alcohol extracts had antimutagenic activity in vitro (32). Pregnancy: teratogenic effects Internal use: no information available. Therefore, Folium Melissae should not be administered internally during pregnancy without medical supervision. Pregnancy: non-teratogenic effects Internal use: no information available. Therefore, Folium Melissae should not be administered internally during pregnancy without medical supervision. Nursing mothers Internal use: no information available. Therefore, Folium Melissae should not be administered internally during lactation without medical supervision. Paediatric use Internal use: no information available. Therefore, Folium Melissae should not be administered internally to children without medical supervision.

Culpeper: ‘Melissa. Bawm. Outwardly, mixed with salt and applied to the neck helpeth the King’s Evil [=tuberculous infection of the lymph nodes in the neck], bitings of mad dogs, venomous beasts, and such as cannot hold their necks as they should do; inwardly it is an excellent remedy for a cold and moist stomach, cheers the heart, refresheth the mind, takes away grief, sorrow and care, instead of which it produces joy and mirth.

OTHER COMMON NAMES: BALM;BALM LEAF;BALM OIL PLANT;BARM LEAF;BEE BALM;DROPSYWORT;HONEY PLANT;PIMENTARY;SWEET BALM;SWEET MARY;TEA BALM

Bee Balm, Lemon Balm, Bawm

Research carried out by Dr Paul Chazot and colleagues at the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Durham University suggest that essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis may prove efficacious in reducing agitation in patients suffering from dementia.

Notes: It is still used in pot-pourri and as a tea for persons with fevers. Culpeper (1650) said it cured the 'King’s Evil' a disease which was so called as it was supposed – until George II gave up the practice – to be cured by the touch of a King. There is a report of a king ‘touching’ 1,500 people in one day, and one might have thought they would have got together afterwards to see the results. In children the King’s Evil is usually caused by non-tuberculous mycobacterium, in adults by tuberculosis. It is rare to see it now as it is so readily cured with antibiotics.

A lemon-flavoured tea can be made from the fresh or dried leaves. They are used mainly as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods.