By any name, digestive disorders can be painful and unpleasant. Gastritis -- an inflammation of your stomach lining -- can cause upper abdominal pain; the most common causes are H. pylori bacteria and frequent use of anti-inflammatory medications. In acid reflux, improper closing of your esophageal muscles causes digestive fluids to splash back up from the stomach, causing inflammation and heartburn. Depending on the cause, doctors may treat digestive disorders with antacids or antibiotics. Some people turn to herbal remedies -- including lemon balm -- to alleviate symptoms. Consult your doctor before using lemon balm.
Features
Lemon balm, botanical name Melissa officinalis, is also called melissa and sweet balm. It's a perennial, low-growing herb featuring heart-shaped, lemon-scented leaves and small yellow or white flowers. Indigenous to western Asia and the Mediterranean, lemon balm now thrives in Europe and North America. Used as a kitchen spice, fresh lemon balm adds lively flavors of citrus and mint to recipes. It has been used in herbal medicine since the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who employed it against snake bites and scorpion stings. It has also been utilized as a folk remedy for digestive complaints and fever. Throughout history, lemon balm has had its distinguished supporters. The eighth-century Frankish emperor Charlemagne was so enamored of its attractive appearance that he ordered it planted at every monastery; it graced Thomas Jefferson's garden as well.
Constituents and Effects
Lemon balm leaves contain .2 to .3 percent of an essential oil that closely resembles the oil in lemon grass; the difference is that lemon balm contains methyl citronellate. Other constituents include the sesquiterpenes geranial, linalool and citronellal, as well as beneficial flavonoids and tannins. Compounds in lemon balm include caffeic and rosmarinic acid, also found in the herb rosemary. Lemon balm is antiviral, and some studies support its effects against herpes virus lesions.
Drugs.com -- which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers -- credits lemon balm with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects in laboratory and animal studies. Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health reports that lemon balm has carminative -- or gas-reducing -- properties, and advises it for acid reflux and indigestion. Lemon balm has antispasmodic effects that may ease intestinal spasms and cramping; it also may assist in inhibiting H. pylori, a common cause of gastritis.
Research
Research supports lemon balm's beneficial effects on gastrointestinal disorders. In a study published in 2005 in "Phytotherapy Research," a combination of fennel, chamomile and lemon balm significantly improved symptoms of colic in infants, indicated by shortened crying time. Researchers noted that the herbs were well-tolerated, producing no noticeable side effects. In an animal study published in 2007 in "Phytotherapy Research," the same combination of herbs delayed upper gastrointestinal transit in mice and significantly reduced intestinal motility, an indication that the herbs could help reduce intestinal cramping. The research team characterized lemon balm's contribution to the effects as major.
Usage and Considerations
Lemon balm may be taken in dosages of 1.5 to 4.5 g per day. It is also available as a tincture, to be taken in doses of 3 to 5 ml three times per day. To make a lemon balm tea for gastritis and acid reflux, steep 2 to 3 tsp. of the leaves in 8 oz. of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain; drink three or more cups a day immediately after meals. BSCAH recommends a blend of lemon balm tea and peppermint tea as especially soothing for digestive disorders. Lemon balm is considered safe, but may interact with prescription drugs. Consult your doctor before using lemon balm. Don't use lemon balm if you are pregnant or breast feeding; you should also avoid it if you have glaucoma.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Lemon Balm Information
- Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health: Lemon Balm
- Herb Companion; Long Live Lemon Balm: Herb of the Year; Pat Crocker; June 2007
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Gastritis; NDDIC Staff; January 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research"; A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Standardized Extract of Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis (ColiMil) in the Treatment of Breastfed Colicky Infants; F. Savino; April 2005
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Effects of the Herbal Formulation ColiMil on Upper Gastrointestinal Transit in Mice In Vivo; R. Capasso; October 2007
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