L
PH2); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Shingles (1; WAF); Shock (1; JAR10:7); Snakebite (f; MAD); Sore (1; WAM);
Sore Throat (1; WAF); Splenosis (f; MAD); Sting (f; BGB; MAD); Stress (1; WAF); Swelling (f;
MAD); Syncope (f; MAD); Toothache (f; MAD); Tumor (1; PNC); Vertigo (f; PH2); Virus (1; APA;
JAR10:7 PHR; PH2; SHT; WAM); Vomiting (f; PH2); Wound (f; APA; BGB).
Dosages (Lemonbalm) — 1–3 tsp herb/cup water (APA); 1.5–2 g/cup tea (HHB); 1.5–4.5 g/cup
water (KOM); 2–3 tsp (3.2–4.8 g) hot tea/day (MAD); 8–10 g herb (PHR); 2–6 ml liquid herb
extract (PNC); 0.5–1.5 tsp tincture 3 ×/day (APA); 2–3 ml tincture 3 ×/day (PNC).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Lemonbalm) — Class 1 (AHP). None known
(KOM; PHR; WAM). Safer than coffee in my book and in AHP’s book as well. People with
glaucoma should avoid the EO, citral may raise ocular eye pressure (JAR10:7; SKY). At high doses
(185 mg/kg/day/3 months, citral may produce benign prostatic hyperplasia (JAR10:7). APA advises
patients with Graves disease to avoid the herb, while PHR indicates some potential for utility. Most
of my readings suggest its use in Graves disease.
Extracts (Lemonbalm) — Hot water extracts have antiviral properties. Creams containing extracts
proven effective for cutaneous lesions of the Herpes simplex virus (antiviral activity confirmed in
vitro and via clinical trials). Aqueous extracts inhibit cell division of tumor cells; tannin-free extracts
inhibit protein synthesis in cell-free systems of rat liver (PNC). “Spirits of Melissa” demonstrated
effective in psychiatric disorders (dystonia, headache, hyperexcitability, palpitation, restlessness)
(PNC). Recent British studies indicate that extracts inhibit breakdown of acetylcholine in human
brain cell cultures (Perry et al.). Constituents block attachment to thyroid cells of the antibodies
that cause Graves disease; the brain’s signal to the thyroid (TSH) is blocked from further overstim-
ulating the thyroid (SKY). Whole EO is more spasmolytic than isolated ingredients; neral and
geranial is more spasmolytic than beta-caryophyllene or citronellal. EO is sedative in mice at 1
mg/kg, more so than at 3 mg/kg. Sedative effects kick in after 30–60 minutes and endure about an
hour (JAR10:7). Citronellol, beta-caryophyllene, and citronellal are active against Candida, Sta-
phylococcus, and Streptococcus (JAR10:7).
LEMON BUSH (Lippia javanica (Burm. f.) Spreng.) ++Synonym: Verbena javanica Burm. f.
Activities (Lemon Bush) — Analgesic (f; VVG); Antiaggregant (1; ZUL); Antihistaminic (f; ZUL);
Antiseptic (f; WBB; ZUL); Crocodile Repellent (f; ZUL); Decongestant (f; VVG); Hemostat (f;
WBB); Icterogenic (f; ZUL); Insectifuge (1; VAG); Phototoxic (f; ZUL); Vermifuge (f; ZUL).
Indications (Lemon Bush) — Anthrax (f; WBB; ZUL); Arthrosis (f; ZIM; ZUL); Asthma (f; ZIM;
ZUL); Backache (f; ZIM; ZUL); Bleeding (f; WBB); Bronchosis (f; VVG; WBB; ZUL); Cataract
(f; ZIM; ZUL); Cold (f; VVG; WBB; ZUL); Congestion (f; VVG); Convulsion (f; ZIM; ZUL);
Cough (f; VVG; WBB; ZUL); Dermatosis (f; WBB; ZUL); Dysentery (f; WBB); Dyspnea (f; ZIM);
Interalgia (f; ZIM); Epistaxis (f; ZIM); Fever (f; VVG; WBB; ZUL); Flu (f; VVG; WBB); Gangrene
(f; WBB); Gastrosis (f; VVG); Headache (f; VVG; ZIM; ZUL); Insanity (f; ZIM); Itch (f; WBB);
Lice (f; VVG); Malaria (f; VVG; WBB); Marasmus (f; ZIM; ZUL); Measles (f; VVG; WBB; ZIM);
Night Blindness (f; ZIM); Ophthalmia (f; ZUL); Pain (f; VVG); Proctosis (f; WBB; ZUL); Pneu-
monia (f; ZIM); Pulmonosis (f; WBB; ZUL); Rash (f; WBB; ZUL); Respirosis (f; WBB; ZUL);
Rhinosis (f; WBB); Scabies (f; ZIM; ZUL); Sprain (f; ZUL); Stomachache (f; ZIM); Worm (f; ZUL).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Lemon Bush) — One report of gangrene
caused by a poultice of the leaves (ZUL). Ingestion may cause photodermatosis in cattle. No
confirmation of the plant’s toxicity (WBB). EO contains caryophyllene, p-cymene, ipsdienone,
linalool, and myrcene.