Rub a lemon balm leaf between your fingers, and its calming effects quickly become apparent. The sunny, lemony smell of the essential oils (terpenes) that transfer to your skin are believed to be what gives this herb its therapeutic benefits, says the University of Michigan Health System. Lemon balm has a lengthy history, dating back to the first century A.D. in Rome and Greece, according to Drugs.com. Traditionally used for both culinary and medicinal purposes, lemon balm is most commonly used in teas along with other calming herbs to help you kick back and relax. However, it's also used topically for certain skin conditions, too.
Insomnia
When used with other herbs such as valerian, hops and chamomile, lemon balm can promote better sleep, as well as reduce anxiety, says the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). According to the University of Michigan Health System, results of a small preliminary trial conducted in 1991 indicate that a combination of lemon balm and valerian yielded results similar to the prescription drug triazolam, which is used to treat insomnia. The UMMC notes that its unknown if lemon balm alone is responsible for the soporific effects noted during these studies, as it has rarely been studied alone, except as a topical preparation.
Cold Sores
The UMMC states that lemon balm, when applied as an ointment, can help heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. The UMMC refers to a study of 116 people with cold sores who used topical lemon balm. Decreased swelling and redness was noted after 2 days, however, the lemon balm ointment did not appear to have an effect on other symptoms like pain and scabbing.
The University of Michigan Health System also notes that lemon balm has "reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit" when treating cold sores, but goes on to state that lemon balm may not be very beneficial when applied to genital herpes lesions. Lemon balm is a gentle herb, and the UMMC states that it can be used topically in children for cold sores.
Other
There are other suggested uses for lemon balm, says the UMMC and UMHS. These include indigestion, heartburn, Grave's disease, Alzheimers disease and colic. More research is needed to determine lemon balm's effects on these conditions.
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