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Melissa, Balm

Lemon Balm; Melissophyllum
Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
Koehler's Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

Atlas der Officinellen Pflanzen, Berg & Schmidt, Leipzig, 1893
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
-Poisonous bites: ‘Balm drunk in wine is good against the bitings of venomous beasts’, including Scorpion, Spider, and Mad 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)

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)


DOSE:
Of the Powder: 500mg–3 grams
In Infusion or 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.

Main Combinations:
Balm & St. Johns wort

1. Strengthen the Heart, benefit the Memory, comforts 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)
2. Pensiveness, Worry, Insomnia, and as an exhilarant, Balm with Diamoschu Dulce, Confectio Alkermes, Amber and Pearls
3. 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)
4. Headache, Migraine, with Betony, Feverfew, Vervain, St Johns wort (as in Betony Infusion Compound)
5. To restore youth, resist Old Age, benefit Memory, prevent Grey hair and relieve a languishing nature, Balm with Celandine, Rosemary, Poppy flower
6. Strengthen Memory:
i. Balm with Betony, Peony seed, Basil seed, Zedoary, Nutmeg, Clove, Licorice, Black Myrobalan, Frankincense, Mastic (as in Powder to Strengthen the Memory)
7. 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)
8. Hyper-acidity:
i. Balm with Fennel, Licorice (Armen Pharmacopoea, Hufeland, 1825)
ii. Balm with Valerian, Fennel seed, St. Johns wort, Camomile
9. Gastric Ulcers, Balm with Camomile, Peppermint, Caraway, Licorice, Angelica
10. Palpitations or Heart weakness, Balm with Borage
11. Syncope and to strengthen the Heart, Balm with Citron peel and Cinnamon (Arnold de Villa Nova)
12. Asthma, Breathlessness, decoct Balm with Orris and Licorice in wine (Arnold de Villa Nova)
13. Insomnia:
i. Balm, Sandalwood, Pearl
ii. Balm with Hops, Angelica, Rosemary, Lavender, Yarrow
14. Hyperthyroidism, Balm with Self Heal
15. Hysteria, Balm with Bay berry, Cumin, Myrrh
16. 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)
17. Hysteria, PMS, Balm with Rose, Cyperus, Spikenard
18. To prevent Miscarriage, Balm with Motherwort, Fennel seed (as in Decoction for Threatened Miscarriage)
19. To bring away the Afterbirth and perfectly cleanse the womb after labor, Balm Essence is taken with Rose Water and Sugar (Salmon)
20. Melancholy:
i. Balm with Pearl
ii. Balm with Ginger, Coriander, Cardamon, Saffron, Marjoram (as in Powder for Melancholy of Philon)
iii. Balm with Black Myrobalan, Horehound, Dodder, Agaric, Black Hellebore, Basil seed, Clove, Citron peel, Bugloss
iv. Balm seed with Saffron, Citron peel, Peony seed, Nutmeg, Mastic, Chebulic and Emblic Myrobalans (as in Letificans of Rhasis)
v. Balm with Peony, Triphala, Frankincense, Saffron, Dodder, Senna, Lapis Lazuli, Aloe (as in Pilulae ad Melancholiam Validores)
21. Madness, combine Balm with Pearl
22. Hardness of the Spleen, Balm with Wormwood, Oregano, St. John's wort, Rue, Dodder, Pennyroyal (as in Tincture for Schirrus of the Spleen)
23. For young babies, to calm them, promote digestion, and relieve wind, Balm with Fennel seed
24. Toothache, chew Balm with Pyrethrum (Arnold de Villa Nova)
25. 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)
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 1/2 pounds), 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.

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 of 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)

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

6. 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)