Melissa, Balm

Lemon Balm; Mountain Balm, Sweet Balm
Melissophyllum, Apiastrum
Billilotan (Unani)

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562

Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599

Melissa officinalis
Koehler’s Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

Melissa officinalis
(Photo by Takács István) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Melissa officinalis
A number of varieties were recognised:

Parts used:

Herb

Temperature & Taste:

Mildly Cool (usually classed as Warm in the West), dry. Pungent, Sweet

Classifications:

2H. CARMINATIVE.
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS.    3C. ALEXIPHARMICS.    3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS.    3G. EMMENAGOGUE
4a. CEPHALIC.    4c. CARDIAC.    4e. STOMACHIC.    4i. UTERINE.    4k. ARTHRITIC

Uses:

1. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison, Promotes Sweat:
-colds, flu, fever and catarrh (infusion with Lemon juice);
-resists all Poison, including infectious diseases; Mushroom poisoning
-Poisonous bites: ‘Balm drunk in wine is good against the bitings of venomous beasts’; Scorpion, Spider, Rabid Dog bites
–Pliny said, it is ‘a present remedy against the stinging of Bees’.
-Viral infections (inc. Herpes)
-candida, intestinal worms, allergies, tumors

2. Clears Liver Heat, Stops Wind:
-good for the Head, Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Migraine, Paralysis, troublesome Sleep, Fainting, Melancholy etc.
-Liver Headache, Hypertension, Anger
-Hyperthyroidism

3. Moves Qi, Opens Obstructions:
–tension, anxiety, depression, sadness, pensiveness, phobias
–‘drives cares and troublesome thoughts out of the mind’
-PMS, Menopausal symptoms
-hardness of the Spleen and Liver (Arnold de Villa Nova)
-Hypochondriac Melancholy (Spirit was especially recommended, Salmon)
-also for Asthma and Breathlessness

4. Benefits the Heart, Calms the Mind and Spirit:
-Cordial, good for the Heart
–‘Much commended for Fainting and Beating of the Heart’ (Pechy)
-‘Strengthen the memory, sharpen the Wit, and make a man industrious’.
-‘Causes pleasant dreams’. (Salmon)

5. Benefits the Stomach, Promotes Digestion:
-‘Serapio affirmeth it to be comfortable for a moist and cold Stomach, to stir up concoction’. (Gerard)
-indigestion, flatulence, and dyspepsia, especially when related to anxiety

6. Moves the Qi, Regulates Menstruation:
-promotes menstruation when hindered by Constrained Qi (emotions), or Liver Heat;
-good for the Uterus, ‘crudities in Terms, after-burden stopped, in suffocation of the Womb’. (Schroder)
-Menopause and PMS
-promotes Fertility
-promotes Birth and Afterbirth (Juice with wine, or the Essence)

7. Promotes Longevity:
-Traditionally used to Promote Longevity; Paracelsus claimed it to retard old age
–London Dispensatory listed it to promote Longevity when taken every morning
-‘Renews Youthful Vigor, Strengthens the Brain, relieves Languishing Nature and prevents Baldness’.
-‘This is so fragrant and friendly, that it strengthens Nature in all its Faculties’. (A Compendius Herbal, John Archer, London, 1673)

8. Externally:
-Applied with salt to Cysts, Sores, Scrofula, hard Swellings and Kernels.
-traditionally applied to Gout
-juice made up with oil, or an ointment or poultice is good to be applied to fresh Wounds
-‘a most efficient remedy for the healing and sealing of Wounds’.
-decoction is gargled for Toothache.
-Cataplasm of Balm laid on a woman’s Breast was said to stop them growing
-the Oil made of the herb boiled is applied to cold pains including back ache
-in Baths for Uterine diseases
-Boils, Cysts, Nodes, Kernels, hard Swellings, especially of the Neck, beat the fresh herb to a paste with Niter and apply. (Salmon)
-applied to Scorpion bite
-chewed or applied to Toothache

Dose:

Powder: 500mg–3 grams
Infusion: 1 teaspoonful
Brief Decoction: 3–9 grams
Expressed Juice: 3–6 spoonfuls in Wine to cause Labor

Substitutes:

1. Galen said Balm is similar to Horehound, but weaker. This is especially in regarded to its Hysteric effects. Balm is a stronger Cordial.
2. Peppermint can replace Balm is some instances.
3. Billilotan in Unani medicine is also supplied by Nepeta cataria and N. hindostana. These may therefore be regarded as substitutes.

Main Combinations:

Balm & St. Johns wort

Brain, Mind:
1. Pensiveness, Worry, Insomnia, and as an exhilarant:
i. Balm, Saffron
ii. Balm with Diamoschu Dulce, Confectio Alkermes, Amber and Pearls
2. Nervousness, nervous Headaches, nervous Stomach, nervous Heart disorders, insomnia, Balm with Elecampane, Angelica, Ginger, Gentian, Cinnamon, Clove, Galangal, Nutmeg, Cardamon (as in Klosterfrau Melissengeist, the Monastic Spirit of Melissa)
3. Anxiety:
i. Balm, Valerian (this has been studied)
ii. Balm, Mint, Sage, Camomile
iii. Balm, Elecampane, Peony, Cyperus rotundus, Orange peel
3. Headache, Migraine, with Betony, Feverfew, Vervain, St Johns wort (as in Betony Infusion Compound)
4. Strengthen Memory:
i. Balm, Calamus
ii. Balm, Frankincense (this has been studied)
iii. Balm, Rosemary, Sage (this has been studied)
iv. Balm with Betony, Peony seed, Basil seed, Zedoary, Nutmeg, Clove, Licorice, Black Myrobalan, Frankincense, Mastic (as in Powder to Strengthen the Memory)
5. Insomnia:
i. Balm, Camomile
ii. Balm, Sandalwood, Pearl
iii. Balm with Hops, Angelica, Rosemary, Lavender, Yarrow
6. Alzhemier’s Disease:
i. Balm, Frankincense, Long Pepper, Cinnamon, Winter Cherry (Physalis) (this has been studied: see below)
ii. Balm, Saffron, Frankincense, Cyperus rotundus, Calamus
iii. Balm, Rosemary, Sage, Centella
6. Melancholy:
i. Conerve of Balm, Conserve of Borage (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. Balm with Pearl
iii. Balm with Saffron, Amber
iv. Balm with Ginger, Coriander, Cardamon, Saffron, Marjoram (as in Powder for Melancholy of Philon)
v. Balm with Black Myrobalan, Horehound, Dodder, Agaric, Black Hellebore, Basil seed, Clove, Citron peel, Bugloss
vi. Balm seed with Saffron, Citron peel, Peony seed, Nutmeg, Mastic, Chebulic and Emblic Myrobalans (as in Letificans of Rhasis)
vii. Balm with Peony, Triphala, Frankincense, Saffron, Dodder, Senna, Lapis Lazuli, Aloe (as in Pilulae ad Melancholiam Validores)
viii. Burnt Humors: Conerve of Balm, Conserve of Borage, Conserve of Fumitory (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
7. Depression:
i. Balm, Lavender (this combination has been studied)
ii. Balm, Saffron, Pearl
iii. Balm, Borage flower, Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Saffron
8. Madness:
i. Balm with Pearl
ii. Balm, St. John’s wort, Borage, Fumitory

Heart:
9. Strengthen the Heart, benefit the Memory, comfort Nature and strengthens the whole Body, Balm with Bugloss, Scorzonera, White Dittany, Rosemary, Blessed Thistle seed, Fennel seed, Cinnamon, Sandalwood (as in Syrup of Balm)
10. Palpitations or Heart weakness:
i. Balm with Borage
ii. Balm, Cinnamon, Red Coral, Amber (as in Powder to Strengthen the Heart)
11. Syncope and to strengthen the Heart, Balm with Citron peel and Cinnamon (Arnold de Villa Nova)

Stomach, Digestion:
12. Carminative, for Wind and Indigestion:
i. Balm with Fennel and Licorice (Armen Pharmacopoea, Hufeland, 1825)
ii. Balm with Aniseed, Fennel, Coriander (Formulaire Magistral et Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1823)
13. Infantile Colic:
i. Balm, Camomile
ii. Balm, Dill seed, Mint, Camomile
12. Hyper-acidity:
i. Balm with Fennel, Licorice (Armen Pharmacopoea, Hufeland, 1825)
ii. Balm with Valerian, Fennel seed, St. Johns wort, Camomile
13. Gastric Ulcers:
i. Balm, Mastic
ii. Balm with Camomile, Peppermint, Caraway, Licorice, Angelica

Gynecology:
14. Hysteria, PMS:
i. Balm with Bay berry, Cumin, Myrrh
ii. Balm with Rose, Cyperus, Spikenard
iii. Balm with Agnus Castus, St. John’s wort
15. To promote menstruation; Amenorrhea:
i. decoct Balm with Mugwort and Feverfew in wine. (Arnold de Villa Nova)
ii. Balm with Cinnamon, Myrrh, Saffron, Madder, Pennyroyal, Mugwort (as in Tincture for Suppressed Menstruation)
iii. Primary Amenorrhea, Balm with Wormwood, Motherwort, Blessed Thistle, Galangal (as in Tincture for Feotid Color in Virgins)
16. To promote Fertility, Balm, Mugwort, Motherwort (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)
17. To prevent Miscarriage, Balm with Motherwort, Fennel seed (as in Decoction for Threatened Miscarriage)
18. To bring away the Afterbirth and perfectly cleanse the womb after labor, Balm Essence is taken with Rose Water and Sugar (Salmon)
19. Premenstrual Syndrome: Balm, Sage, St. John’s wort
20. Menopause:
i. Balm, Sage, Agnus Castus
ii. Balm, Fenugreek, Cinnamon
iii. Balm, Pearl

Others:
19. To restore youth, resist Old Age, benefit Memory, prevent Grey hair and relieve a languishing nature, Balm with Celandine, Rosemary, Poppy flower
20. Prevent the hair from greying, drink 2 ounces of distilled water of Balm morning and night and wash the hair with the same. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
21. Asthma, Breathlessness, decoct Balm with Orris and Licorice in wine (Arnold de Villa Nova)
22. To strengthen in Arthritis, Conserve of Balm, of Betony, of Borage, with Diamoschu Dulce (Sweet Powder of Musk) (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
23. Hyperthyroidism, Balm with Self Heal
24. Open Obstructions:
i. Conserve of Balm, Conserve of Rosemary (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
25. Hardness of the Spleen, Balm with Wormwood, Oregano, St. John’s wort, Rue, Dodder, Pennyroyal (as in Tincture for Schirrus of the Spleen)
26. For young babies, to calm them, promote digestion, and relieve wind:
i. Balm with Fennel seed
ii. Balm, Camomile, Dill seed
27. Mushroom poisoning, Balm with Nitre. (Dioscorides)

Externally:
28. Toothache, chew Balm with Pyrethrum (Arnold de Villa Nova)
29. Joint pain, apply Balm with Camomile, Primula and Dwarf Elder (Arnold de Villa Nova)

Major Formulas

Powder for Loss of Memory and Stupidity (Philon)
Betony Infusion Compound
Syrup of Balm (Fernelius)
Tincture Against Schirrus of the Spleen
Tincture of Life (Mynsichts)
Powder for Melancholy (Philon)
Powder to Strengthen the Heart (Wirtzung)

1. Eau Des Carmes (Carmelite Water):
i. Balm (2 lbs.), Lemon peels (10), Cinnamon, Angelica root (3 oz. each), Coriander (6 oz.), Alcohol (11 lbs.), Water (6 lbs.), distil 10 pounds. (Austrian Pharmacopoea)
ii. Fresh Balm (1 ½ lbs.), Fresh Lemon Peel (4 oz.), Nutmeg, Coriander (2 oz. each), Cinnamon, Cloves (1 oz. each), Alcohol (6 lbs.), Water of Balm (3 lbs.). Digest 3 days, distil 6 lbs. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
iii. Balm (12 oz.), Lemon peel (2 oz.), Nutmeg (1 oz.), Coriander (4 oz.), Clove, Cinnamon (1 oz. each), Angelica root (half oz.), Alcohol (64 oz.). Infuse several days, distil 88 oz. (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)

2. Compound Spirit of Balm:
i. Balm, Peppermint, Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Fennel (3 oz. each), Angelica root (2 oz), Calamus (4 oz.), Alcohol (4 lbs.), Water (sufficient); macerate 24 hours, distil 12 pounds. (Niemann)
ii. Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Aniseed, Coriander (1 part each), Hyssop, Rosemary, Marjoram, Sage, Thyme (2 parts each), fresh Lemon peel, Angelica root (4 parts), Fresh Balm (12 parts), Proof Spirit (192 parts), Water (576 parts); distil 128 parts. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)

Cautions:

Generally Safe.

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water, Spirit, Essence, Oil, Extract, Conserve, Syrup of the Juice, Tincture of Balm, Fixed Salt, Expressed Juice

1. Conserve of Balm:
i. Fresh Balm leaves (1 part), White Sugar (2 parts). Mix.
Strengthens the Heart, Head and benefits Brain and Memory.

2. Syrup of Balm:
i. Dried Balm (4 oz.), Distilled Water of Balm (1 lb.); digest for 2 days in a covered vessel, express, add White Sugar (16 oz.), boil for a few minutes to dissolve the sugar. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)

3. Tincture of Balm:
i. Balm (1 part), Alcohol 20% (8 parts). Infuse 3 days, filter.

4. Distilled Water of Balm:
i. Balm (1 part), Water (4 parts), distil 2 parts. (Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
ii. Balm (1 part), Water (8 parts), distil 4 parts. (Pharmacia rationalis, 1806)
iii. fresh Balm (1 part), Water (4 parts), distil half; re-distil with fresh Herb. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
iv. Fresh Balm (3 parts); suspend in a bag in the center of a cucurbit containing Water (12 parts) so that it does not touch the water and distil 6 parts. (Dispensatorium Fuldense, 1791)

5. Spirit of Balm:
i. Balm (1 part), Alcohol 20% (2 parts), Water (sufficient); distil a spirit of 28%
ii. Balm (1 part), Alcohol (3 parts), Water 96 parts); distil off 2 and a half parts. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
iii. Balm (1 part), Water of Balm (2 parts), Alcohol (8 parts). Macerate 24 hours, distil 6 parts. (Pharmacopoeia Rossica, 1803)

6. Oil of Balm:
i. Fresh Balm (1 part), Water (4 parts); distil. Preserve the Oil.

7. Extract of Balm:
i. Balm (1 part), Water (3 parts). Boil, express, clarify with egg white then evaporate to an extract.
ii. Fresh herb of Balm (8 lbs.); bruise and digest it for 3 days in an alembic; then distil from it about 2 oz. of water in a water-bath; pour thrice its weight of water upon the residue, boil to two-thirds, strain, clarify, and evaporate the decoction to the consistency of a thick electuary, and add the distilled water to it when it is only warm. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)

Melissa, Balm PRO