Melittis melissophyllum
Botanical Nomenclature | Melittis melissophyllum |
Common Name | Bastard Balm |
Taxonomy- Family | Lamiaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Melittis melissophyllum is a biennial, herbaceous plant growing from 30 to 70cm, with alternate, oval or elliptic leaves and white or pink flowers. The blooming and the harvesting take place from May to August |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | The whole plant |
Active Substances | Phenolic acids, flavonoids (kaempherol, apigenin, luteolin), coumarin, essential oil |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant is used as astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative and healing. It is administered in the form of herbal tea for the treatment of diarrhea, nosebleed, menstruation's disorders, anxiety and nervousness. The essential oil from the leaves has narcotic, antifungal, antibacterial, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as diuretic, astringent and emmenagogue in the form of herbal tea (2 spoons of dried herb in 0,5L of boiled water, 2-3 times a day), which is traditionally produced in Italy and Serbia 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 | No side effects are reported. Attention required to patient who take warfarin or other anticoagulants drugs |
References | 1)http://kentromeletisarxaiasthourias.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/asplenium-ceterach-l- %CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%87%CE%BF%CE%BD-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C-%CF%83%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%81%CF 2)http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/melittis-melissophyllum-subsp-albida 3)http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/melittis-melissophyllum=bastard-balm.php 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Melittis+melissophyllum 5)http://herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.gr/2011/11/bastard-balm-herb-with-many-traditional.html 6)http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Melittis_melissophyllum |