Melissa, Balm

Lemon Balm
Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
Koehler's Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887
Botanical name:
Melissa officinalis

Parts used:
Herb

Temperature & Taste:
Slightly Cool (some said Warm), 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);

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

3. Moves Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-tension, anxiety, depression, sadness, pensiveness, phobias

4. Benefits the Heart, Calms the Mind and Spirit:
-Cordial, good for the Heart

5. Benefits the Stomach, Promotes Digestion:
-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;

7. Promotes Longevity:
-Traditionally used to Promote Longevity; Paracelsus claimed it to retard old age

8. Externally:
-Applied with salt to Cysts, Sores, Scrofula, hard Swellings and Kernels.
-traditionally been 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 was laid on a woman’s Breast was said to stop them growing
-in Baths for Uterine diseases


Main Combinations:
Balm & St. Johns wort

1. Strengthen the Heart, benefit Memory, comfort Nature and strengthens the whole Body, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
2. Pensiveness, Worry, Insomnia, and as an exhilarant, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
3. Nervousness, nervous Headaches, nervous Stomach, nervous Heart disorders, insomnia, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
4. Headache, Migraine, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
5. To restore youth, resist Old Age, benefit Memory, prevent Grey hair and relieve a languishing nature, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
6. Strengthen Memory:
i. Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
7. Hyperacidity, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
8. Gastric Ulcers, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
9. Palpitations or Heart weakness, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
10. Syncope and to strengthen the Heart, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
11. Asthma, Breathlessness, decoct Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
12. Insomnia, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
13. Hyperthyroidism, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
14. To promote menstruation, decoct Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
15. To prevent Miscarriage, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
16. Melancholy:
i. Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
ii. Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
17. Madness, combined Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
18. For young babies, to calm them, promote digestion, and relieve wind, Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
19. Toothache, chew Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version
20. Joint pain, apply Lemon Balm with ... available in PRO version

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)


Cautions:
Generally Safe.

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Oil, Extract, Conserve of the Flowers, Syrup of the Juice, Tincture of Balm