Contra-indications of Lemon Balm

Within this dissertation on lemon balm, a balance must be maintained. As with all medical treatments, both alternative and allopathic, common sense must be key in their usage. To expound the virtues of Melissa officinalis yet give no credence to caution in its use would do the reader a great disservice indeed. Most of what follows are precautions in the use of lemon balm that have not been validated by scientific study as we know it today; yet the research resources used for this discourse felt the need to list anyway. So the author of this thesis will follow suit with trust that the reader has the ability to discriminate the information, and use lemon balm accordingly.

As lemon balm has been found to have an effect upon the thyroid hormone TSH in Grave’s disease, one scientific paper cautions the use of lemon balm if someone has a propensity toward hypothyroidism for fear the levels of TSH will fall even farther(1). And yet in “ The Green Pharmacy” Dr James Duke states lemon balm (and other herbs with effects on the thyroid) seem to have the ability to normalize thyroid hormone levels regardless of whether there is too much or too little. The scientific community would do well to actually study the full influence of lemon balm upon the thyroid as opposed to one half of it’s medicinal action then preemptively issue unfounded cautionary statements that with enough repetition will become “falsified fact”.

Another caution is the use of lemon balm while driving a motor vehicle or operating heavy machinery. This is due to lemon balm’s possible sleep inducing and sedative properties. This does warrant some consideration but it would be dependant upon dosage amounts and the patient’s body metabolism rate. (2) There is evidence in animal studies that lemon balm may potentiate the effects of chemical drugs Phenobarbital and hexobarbital, once again due to lemon balm’s sedative and sleep inducing qualities. More definitive information was not available in this particular resource paper. (3)

In reference to lemon balm’s use in aromatherapy, the chemical compound found in the essential oil known as Citral, has been found to cause problems in people suffering from prostatic hyperplasia and to also increase ocular tension. (4) This information does warrant some consideration but with a caveat. In the past due to rarity of production and cost in the manufacture of the essential oil of Melissa officinalis, it was adulterated with other similarly scented essential oils such as lemon and citronella. The additive oils tend to be higher in citral and could be the actual causation for the above cautionary statement by this particular resource. The reader of this paper is encouraged, if using lemon balm essential oil, to use only the true oil and to question their supplier on the source and quality of the essential oil.

Overall the herb lemon balm is considered to be safe when used in its true whole state. When considering the use of lemon balm to the use of allopathic drugs for nerve conditions, stress, depression, digestive disturbance, infection of viral and bacterial nature; the side effects and contra-indications of lemon balm are less than miniscule in comparison to the side effects and contra-indications of drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Cephalexin. And Prilosec.

1. Online, www.uspharmacist.com <http://www.uspharmacist.com>
2. Ibid
3. Ibid
4.Online,www.ashburys.com