Melissa officinalis

Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.
Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae, Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.
Botanical Nomenclature Melissa officinalis
Common Name Balm Mint, Lemon Balm
Taxonomy- Family Lamiaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Melissa officinalis is a biennial, herbaceous plant growing from 40 to 70cm, with oval, wavy, green or yellow leaves and white, yellow or pink flowers. The flowering lasts from July to September and the harvesting takes place from May to June
Region Found Ioannina (Zagori, Vikos-Aoos, Konitsa)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances Flowers, leaves, sprouts.
Active Substances Essential oil (it contains citroneral, citral, linalool, geraniol and aldehydes), flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, polyphenolics.
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The plant is administered in the form of infusion as digestive, diaphoretic, sedative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and sedative. In folk medicine it is recommended for the treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers, kidney and liver colic, dyspepsia and vomiting during pregnancy. Also, the herbal tea from the leaves may be used against depression and anxiety. It is applied externally to treat headaches, dental pain, edema and skin wounds. Recent studies suggest that the plant extract enhances the memory and can be effective against amnesia and Alzheimer's disease.
Method of Administration The plant is administered against depression and anxiety in the form of infusion (4 spoons of dried herb in 1L of boiling water, up to four glasses daily). Also, it is administered for the treatment of gastric and hepatic disorders in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in a glass of boiled water, 2-3 times a day). Finally, it is applied externally against skin inflammation in the form of ointment.
Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions.
Toxicity- Adverse Effects Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, wheezing. Plant's consumption must be avoided from patient who suffer from glaucoma.
References 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Β' τόμος, σελίδες: 360-362 2)Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδα 304 3)http://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/F/Fern%28RustyBack%29/Fern%28RustyBack%29.htm 4)http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lemon-balm 5)http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-lemon-balm.html 6)https://www.bu.edu/bhlp/Clinical/cross-cultural/herbal_index/herbs/Melissa%20Officinalis.html