HERBAL MONOGRAPHS LEMON BALM /461to I0-locular, oblong or ovoid, with a broad, low, mamilli-
form projection at the apex. The rind is somewhat rough to
almost smooth. The pulp is acidic.Leaves, Stem and Root: Citrus limon is a small tree, growing
0k only 3 to" 6 m talf with twigs that are angular when young
and soon become rounded and glabrous with stout axillary
spines. The leaves are pale green, broadly elliptical, acute
and serrate or crenate. The petiole has a flat wing or is
merely margined and is distinctly articulated with the lamina.Habitat: The tree is indigenous to northern India, cultivated
in Mediterranean regions and worldwide in subtropical
regions.Production: Lemons are the fruit, lemon peel is the skin of
the fruit and lemon oil the essential oil extracted from the
skins of Citrus limon.Other Names: Limon
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil in the fresh and dehydrated peel: chief compo-
nents (+)-limonene in addition to citral (as an odor-bearer),
m n-nonanal, n-decanal, n-dodecanal, linalyl acetate, geranyl
acetat, citronellyl acetat, methyl anthranilate; also in pressed
oils, lipophilic flavinoids, including sinensetin, nobiletin and
furocoumarinsFlavonoids: in particular the bitter neohesperidosides narin-
gin and neohesperidin dyhydro chalcones, furthermore
hesperidin, rutin and ericitrimEFFECTS
The cj^D^avonoids in lemon affect vascular permeability
and are anti?infJ*immatory, diuretic and a^ source of
vitamin C. • - ~INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Lemon is used as a source of vitamin C in
cases of general low resistance, scurvy and colds. In folk
medicine, lemon juice was recommended as a drink for
fever, as a remedy for acute rheumatism and as an antidote to
intoxicants, particularly opium. Additional traditional uses
that are still recommended include sunburn, and as a quinine
substitute for malaria or to reduce body temperature in
" typhus patients.
Indian Medicine: Uses in Indian medicine include as a
remedy for shaking and heartburn.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. There is a low potential for sensitization through
skin contact with volatile oil.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Lemon is used internally in the
form of oil, tincture or fresh fruit.
LITERATURE
Calomme M et al.. Inhibition of bacterial mutagenisis by Citrus
flavonoids. In: PM 62(3):222-226. 1996.
Calomme M et al., PM 62:222. 1996.
Clavarano I, Essenze Deriv. Agrum 36:5. 1966.
Horowitz RM, Gentili B, Tetrahedron 19:773. 1963.
Paris R, (1977) Plant Med Phytother 1 l(Suppl):129.
Paris R, Delavean P. (1977) Plant Med Phytother
1 l(SuppI):198.
Further information in:
Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New
York 1980.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Oliver-Bever B (Ed.). Medicinal Plants of Tropical West Africa,
Cambridge University Press Cambridge. London 1986.
Roth L. Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Tang W, Eisenbrand G, Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin,
Springer Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E. Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
mbH Stuttgart 1997. * '
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
TRADE NAMES
Lemon Balm (available from numerous manufacturers and as
combination product), Melissa Lemon Balm Herb, Quanterra
Sleep
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the oil extracted by
distillation, the dried leaves, the fresh leaves and the whole
plant.
Flower and Fruit: The small white bilabiate flowers are in 6
one-sided false whorls in the axils of the upper leaves. The