Melissa leaves are included in numerous tea blends and as a dry or fluid extract in various mono- or combination preparations. In gastrointestinal teas, the plant is often combined with chamomile or peppermint, and in sleep and nerve teas with valerian, hops or St. John’s wort.
Other dosage forms of lemon balm
Among herbal medicines, tranquilizers (sedatives), antispasmodics (spasmolytics), and flu remedies often contain lemon balm leaf extracts. These preparations are available in many dosage forms, for example, as drops or tablets.
For application to the skin for herpes infections, lemon balm can be purchased as a cream.
Melissa: the daily dose
On average, depending on the needs, a cup of lemon balm tea (contains 1.5-4 g of the leaves) can be drunk several times a day.
Preparation of lemon balm as a tea
To prepare a lemon balm tea, 1.5-4 g of the finely chopped leaves (1 teaspoon is about 1 g) is poured over boiling water and strained after 5-10 minutes. The tea can be drunk several times a day, depending on the intensity of the symptoms.
When should you not use lemon balm?
Currently, there are no known interactions with other remedies or contraindications for lemon balm leaves.
If you suffer from a thyroid condition that requires treatment, a doctor may need to be consulted before taking lemon balm.
Notes on the use of lemon balm
For successful treatment of the symptoms of herpes infections, it is important to apply the ointment immediately after the first symptoms appear. The ointment should then be applied 3-4 times a day.
Melissa leaves should be kept dry, cool and protected from light.
