MELISSA OFFICINALIS
Introduction
I chose to look at Melissa officinalis for this assignment. Drawings 4 and 5 are done from illustrations as the Melissa in my garden is devoid of flowers. Through this assignment I chose to use the name Melissa, lemon balm and balm while writing about this amazing herb.
Growing Environment
Melissa officinalis is commonly known as lemon balm because of its citrus scent of lemons. Its leaves are highly aromatic and release a lemon fragrance when crushed. Lemon balm is a flowering herb that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa although it is now grown all over the world. The aerial parts of the herb are usually used for medicinal purposes and collected before the flowers bloom. Melissa, a member of the Lamiaceae (mint family), belongs to the genus Melissa, In this case the species is officinalis and common names include balm, English lemon balm, common balm, balm mint, Melissa sweet mint, heart’s delight and honey plant (Bone, 2003). Melissa (Lemon Balm) grows wild in New Zealand and Australia, sometimes in sunny fields and along roadsides.
Lemon Balm is easily cultivated by seed or root division and usually tolerates poor, sandy soils and full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of droughts and should be kept dry in winter as it can be susceptible to rust. Apart from being cut back after flowering, lemon balm needs little attention. The roots may be divided into small pieces, with three or four buds to each, and planted 2 feet apart in ordinary garden soil. The only culture required is to keep the herb free from weeds and to cut off the decayed stalks in autumn, and then to stir the ground between the roots. It also needs thinning out at times to allow for good air circulation (Bremness, 1990) In my garden it grows well in a partially shaded area surrounded by wild strawberries and other members of the mint family.
Botany
- Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) is a hardy perennial plant that can grow to a height of 80 centimetres. It often has a bushy appearance.
- It has short rootstock that usually spreads horizontally underneath the soil (rhizomatous).
- The slightly heart shaped leaves, which are light green, crinkled and slightly hairy, grow in a rhythmical pattern of opposing pairs along a square shaped branching stem.
- Each pair of leaves grows at right angles to the pair above and below it, is ovate in shape with serrated edges containing an essential oil with a lemon scent.
- When touch or crushed they release a lemony fragrance, (Bremness, 1990). The leaves are petiolate as a petiole connects the leaf to the stem. They have a central vein and are wider at the base then the apex of the leaf.
- The little flowers grow in whorled clusters and although often white, the flowers may also be pale yellow maturing to pale lilac and are arranged in irregular whorls at leaf nodes on the upright stems. Five fused sepals and petals make up the trumpet like flowers which are hermaphrodite having both male and female organs, (Plants for a Future, n.d.). The buds usually open early morning until about noon and the flowers live on average for about 24 hours.
ARTISTIC OBSERVATIONS
Melissa Officinalis
Melissa, abundant and gentle,
Graceful bringer of warmth and air
Whose fragrance helps us to feel uplifted and restored
It speaks to the feminine and the rhythms of the moon,
Its warmth and air dances through us
Calming our thoughts
Measuring our hearts rhythm
While it carries us to sleep
Taking us gently into the spiritual world allowing us to merge with our higher self
First Impression
Gracefulness, lightness, openness and rhythm were my first impressions of this herb.
There is a sense of warmth as well, although a ‘softer’ warmth than in other members of this family, such as rosemary. Lemon balm has an upright gracefulness that seems different to other members of the Lamiaceae family growing in my garden. I encounter a sensation of lightness and gentleness when observing this herb. When I observe the abundance of this herb’s rich leaf growth, I feel as if the lemon balm is revealing all of its self to me, hiding only its shallow roots and tiny white flowers. I also have an impression of feminine energy that invokes a picture of the movement of water and the moon in my mind. I feel surprised as I have never connected the Lamiaceae family with the feminine before. The growth pattern of the leaves along the stem brings me a sense of rhythm that also leads me to think of water. After touching the leaves I encounter a refreshing and uplifting lemony fragrance rather than the stronger, almost fiery, fragrance of other members of the mint family.
There is sense of a warm gentle breeze moving through the leaves. I can imagine the colours of the earth rising up and changing to a light green and golden yellow as the breeze carries its essence up through the plant. Lemon balm is a herb that waits quietly to be noticed; it does not have eye catching flowers. Yet everything about this herb feels upright, gentle and true, bringing an impression of ‘touching my heart’. This is because Melissa’s gentle nature and balancing substances connect strongly with our rhythmic system. In looking at this herb right now, my body feels relaxed, uplifted and quiet.
Form and Gesture
Lemon balm’s form takes on a ‘rounded bushy’ appearance due to the herbs abundant rich, green foliage. For me the rich foliage shows me the gift of abundance, in this case of curative properties. The balm in my garden has more of an upright, ethereal form than other mint varieties. The leaves have a rhythmical movement that flows along the stem expressing their desire for connection and social intercourse. Lemon balm’s largest gesture is one of openness, an invitation to share in its curative energies. If I understood its language, Lemon balm could well be say “Try me, show you value and appreciate me, and I will share my gifts with you”, (Herbalpedia, 2006).
Drawing 1
Rhizome Roots
- Grow underground ~ are underground stems
- Grow horizontally just beneath the soils surface
- Continues to grow along and creep under the surface
- Have lots and lots of growing points
- Buds that form at the joints produce new shoots
Drawing 2
Leaves and Stem
- Has light green ‘heart’ shaped leaves
- Crinkled leaves that are slightly hairy
- Leaves grow in rhythmical pattern of opposite pairs along a square shaped stem
- Leaves are ovate in shape with serrated edges
- Petiole connects leaves to the stem
- Leaves are wider at the base and have a central vein
Drawing 3
Close up of Leaf
- Crinkly appearance and slightly hairy
- Central vein
- Slightly heart shaped
- Base is wider than the apex of the life
- Leaves are petiolate as they are connected to the leaf stem via a petiole.
Drawings 4 and 5
Longitudinal section of flower
- Flowers grow in irregular whorled clusters on upright stem
- They arise from stem axil where the leaf stem meets the stem
- Five fused sepals and petals (corolla) form the tubular bell shaped trumpet like flower
- Have 4 stamens, 2 longer than the other
Fruit
Ovary has a ring at its base that gives off nectar that later form fruit made up of ovoid nutlets.
Description of Healing Properties
Lemon balm has a long standing reputation as a calming and uplifting herb. Its active healing properties contain a citral-type essential oil, bitter principles, flavonoids and other ancillary substances, (Fisher & Painter, 1996). According to Bone, (2003) the volatile oils have a carminative, relaxing and regulating effect on the body, especially the central nervous system. The phenolic acid derivatives contribute to its antiviral activity. Balm’s main healing actions are carminative, sedative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and an antiviral agent. Melissa’s calming effect on the central nervous system helps to regulate cardiac function which in turn improves cardiac output resulting in reduced blood pressure and improved peripheral circulation, (Bone, 2003). From a systems perspective, lemon balm’s healing properties are considered effective in treating:
Nervous system ~ Sleep disturbances, especially if due to nervous anxiety and stress related issues. It can also be effective for managing migraines, nervous tension, shock and vertigo. Its carminative actions help to relieve the effects of tension headaches, stress, feelings of excitability and restlessness, (Fisher & Painter, 1996).
Circulatory system ~ Lemon balm is considered a heart tonic, slowing its action, relieving palpations and lowering blood pressure. It acts as a vasodilator on the peripheral circulation helping to support heart function and peripheral circulation, (Fisher & Painter, 1996).
Respiratory system ~ Melissa is also used to promote healing for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, colds and influenza. It also promotes ‘sweating’ via the skin as a fever management method, (Bone, 2003).
Digestive System ~ Lemon balm can be effective in relieving flatulence and colic. The bitters in this herb stimulate the production of digestive secretions thus helping to alleviate symptoms of indigestion, dyspepsia and nausea, especially when associated with anxiety and depression (Fisher & Painter, 1996). It also promotes detoxification by stimulating liver and gall bladder function, (Bone, 2003).
Reproductive system ~ As well as promoting menstruation and conception, lemon balm also brings relief from menstrual symptoms, especially painful periods. According to Fisher & Painter (1996) Melissa is safe to use during pregnancy for treating morning sickness and pregnancy induced headaches.
Other Uses ~ Melissa is thought to enhance immune system health by fighting bacteria and viruses; in fact clinical studies in Germany showed that it displays potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex when used topically, (Hoppe, 1999). Applied externally as an essential oil diluted with carrier oils, such as almond, lemon balm can bring relief from insect bites, hives, and other blemishes. Melissa is also thought to be useful in treating hyperthyroidism as it inhibits the receptor binding and biological activity of immunoglobulins in the blood of patients with Graves’s disease, a condition which results in hyperthyroidism (Bone, 2003).
Contraindications
Clinical trials generally report no adverse reactions It is considered safe to use during pregnancy and lactation and also considered safe for children. There are no side effects expected if taken within the normal recommended dose range. Although rare, some people may have sensitivity to topical applications of products containing lemon balm. (Bone, 2003).
Three Fold Perspectives
In considering the healing properties of medicinal plants, Rudolf Steiner found that a plant with healing properties often grows in an unbalanced manner. In contrast, non-medicinal plants are usually ideally proportioned in their growth pattern (Douch, 2004). For health, human kind needs balance between the nerve-sense and metabolic systems; a healthy rhythmic system provided this balance. Reversely in plants an imbalance between these three main systems, as in Melissa, reveals a healing quality.
Melissa’s rhizomatous roots penetrate the cool still earth, corresponding with the cool stillness of the nerve-sense system of a human being. The tiny flowers correspond with the processes of the metabolic-limb system in human beings. The leaf area of the plant corresponds to the middle realm, rhythmic system of human kind.
The imbalance in lemon balm’s growth is apparent when considering its roots, foliage and flower. The rhizomatous roots penetrate the earth in a horizontal fashion remaining fairly shallow in the soil. The lemon balm flower is small, almost insignificant among the abundant foliage, indicating that the metabolic processes are not strong in this herb. In observing Melissa’s abundant, rich, green foliage, it is easy to see that all this plants energy is directed toward the rhythmic processes.
As a bearer of ‘warmth and air’ in the body, lemon balm requires the suns warmth for healthy growth and development of its therapeutic gifts. In many ways the leaves of this herb represent the uniqueness of the blossom for they contain the volatile oils that contain its curative substances and refreshing, uplifting fragrance, (Husemann & Wolfe, 1982). Balm’s abilities to calm, relax and regulate show us its gift of maintaining balance between the top and lower poles of the body while regulating our cardiac and respiratory rhythms. This is also highlighted in lemon balm’s healing medicinal properties as already described.
Traditional Ways of Using Melissa
In Greek the genus name Melissa means ‘bee’ and it is thought that was named for its ability to attract bees. It was thought that placing lemon balm near bee hives would encourage the bees to return ‘home’ plus attract other bees to join them, (The Herb Society of America, 2007). According to Stern, (1992) officinalis means ‘used in medicine’, indicating that historically lemon balm was used for medicinal purposes, either by itself or mixed with other herbs. Early herbalists praised lemon balm for its refreshing, uplifting qualities and used it for treating symptoms of melancholy. It was believed that lemon balm ‘makes the heart merry and joyful’ (The Herb Society of America, 2007)
About two thousand years ago, Pedanius Dioscorides, a physician traveling throughout the Roman Empire with Emperor Nero’s army, collected samples of the local medicinal herbs everywhere he went. He believed that Melissa was effective for promoting menstruation, relieving menstrual problems, gout, toothache, scorpion stings and dog bites, (Entheology.org, (n.d.) Another physician and alchemist, Paracelsus, called Melissa the ‘elixir of life’ as he believed it increased a person’s strength and lengthened their life. (Brown, 2001). In the 17th century the Carmelite religious order created a concoction called Carmelite water which was believed to improve nervous headaches, neuralgia as well as promoting longevity. Although mixed with other herbs, lemon balm was the main ingredient in Carmelite water, (Herbalpedia, 2006)
In Europe people threw balm on the floor to freshen the rooms and until the 19th century it was scattered amongst church pews for its fragrance and antiseptic qualities. People scrubbed their floors, kitchen table and toilet area with a lemon balm concoction to keep insects out of the home. They used to hang small bags of dried lemon balm in their closets for the herbs lemon fragrance. Historically lemon balm oil, along with lavender oil, was used to polish furniture, (Colonial Dames of America, 1995). In rituals, lemon balm was often used in the pursuit of romance as it was considered a herb that attracts love into a person’s life and it is believed that it was once used by the Goddess Diana in her temples.
Today lemon balm has multiple gifts to offer us and I have already covered many of its medicinal uses. In the world of magical rituals it is still used for invoking the Goddess. It can be used when sharing a ritual bath with a loved partner or simply to help a person find fulfillment in their personal dreams. Using lemon balm opens us to the divine love of the Goddess. It is also thought that Lemon balm draws healthy energy towards people using it thus making them more appealing to the world of love and romance (Herbalpedia, 2006).
Anthroposophical Use of Melissa
From an Anthroposophical perspective, lemon balm brings a gentle ‘warmth and airing’ through the body. As such it supports the warmth process in the body encouraging stronger incarnation when needed. It also helps to balance the relationship between water and air and according to Husemann & Wolfe (1982), this herb is ‘used for all complaints stemming from insufficient airing through the body’, p330. From this perspective lemon balm can bring relief from upper respiratory complaints where this relationship is out of balance, such a catarrh and convulsive coughing, (Husemann & Wolfe, 1982).
Melissa appears to have a relaxing and calming influence on the central nervous system whose many branches has a regulatory effect within the body. When applied in an oil form or used as a compress, its fragrance calms feelings of anxiety helping to release muscle tightness and tension held in the body. For this reason lemon balm is a valuable substance in helping to relieve the pain of migraines and other types of nervous tension headaches.
The warming and airing influence of lemon balm can rebalance digestive disorders, especially symptoms related to anxiety and stress. Its anti-spasmodic ability helps release muscle spasms throughout the digestive tract relieving abdominal discomfort, flatulence, indigestion and feeling of nausea (The Herb Society of America, 2007). Melissa’s ability to bring ‘warmth and air’ also allows its curative qualities to calm, relax and regulate the rhythmical function of the reproductive organs, helping to promote the menses or conception or to bring relief from uncomfortable menstrual symptoms.
On the whole, lemon balms action is focused mainly in the direction of the rhythmic system. According to Pelikan (1997) lemon balm may be prescribed to regulate cardiac palpitations, angina and cardiac symptoms brought on by anxiety. Stress and feeling of anxiety have an adverse effect on the rhythmic system, which in turn has an adverse effect on the nerve-sense and metabolic-limb systems. Melissa’s quieting effects on the central nervous system aids heart function and circulation through restoring rhythmical balance.
From a spiritual perspective lemon balm is strongly connected to the feminine, hence its strong connection with our organs of reproduction. It has long been respected as a herb that balances feelings and emotions, helping to resolve moodiness and melancholia. Its enlivening fragrance can treat feelings of melancholy, lifting our mood and ‘make our heart merry’ again. Symbolically, Melissa guides us as we negotiate the misty, emotional pull of the moon’s forces, helping us to view our thoughts and feelings without getting lost in them, (Herbalpedia, 2006).
In nursing therapies some methods of working with lemon balm include:
- – Rhythmical body oiling
- – Compresses
- – Inhalations
- – Tea
- – Footbath
- – Fragrance through oil burners
In Conclusion
I have a strong sense of the feminine and moon elements in lemon balm that I never realised existed before. It is a sacred herb, loved and respected by alchemists through past centuries. The flowers almost have a ‘flirty’ appearance as the peek out from the lower stems, revealing very little. I very much like the feeling of gentle, open airiness about this herb.
Its warm uplifting fragrance penetrates the whole plant, just as its warm airiness gently penetrates all realms of our body. Its calming properties connect strongly with our rhythmic system supporting this realm to maintain its balancing and mediation roles between the upper and lower poles of the body. It is interesting to realize that a gift of Melissa, a herb strongly connected with our rhythmic realm, lends its abundant gifts to promoting calmness and relaxation to the whole body.
References
Bone, K., (2003). A Clinical Guide to Blending Clinical Herbs- Herbal formulations for individual patients, Churchill Livingstone, 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St Louis, Missouri, 63146
Bremness, L., (1990). Herbs Pocket Encyclopedia, Dorling Kindersley Limited, 9 Henrietta Street, London WC2E8SP
Brown, Deni. (2001). The Herb Society of America new encyclopedia of herbs and their uses, New York, DK, http://www.herbsociety.org
Colonial Dames of America, (1995). Herbs and herb lore of Colonial America, New York, Dover.
Douch, G. Dr. (2004) Medicine for the Whole Person A Guide to Anthroposophical Treatment, Floris Books, Poland
Entheology.org, (n.d.) Preserving Ancient Sacred Knowledge ~ Melissa Officinalis, Lemon Balm http://www.entheology.org/edoto/anmviewer.asp?a=376, accessed 27/4/2011
Fisher, C. & Painter, G., (1996) Materia Medicia Of Western Herbs For The Southern Hemisphere, 651 West Coast Road, Oratia, Auckland, New Zealand
Herbalpedia, (2006). Lemon Balm, The Herb Growing & Marketing Network, PO Box 245, Silver Spring, PA 17575-0245; 717, http://www.herbalpedia.com/lemon balm-hoy profile.pdf, accessed 03/04/2011
Hoppe, J., (1999). Melissa: Lemon balm as a topical treatment for herpes simplex virus , Medical Herbalism, Journal for the Clinical Practitioner, Medical Herbalism 11(4):13,16 , http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/Melissa_-_Topical_Treatment_for_Herpes_Simplex_Virus.htmaccessed 25/02/2011
Huseman, F., & Wolfe, O., (1982), The Anthroposophical Approach to Medicine Vol 1, The Anthroposophical Press Inc, Spring Valley, New York
Monterey Bay Spice Company (n.d.) Lemon Balm Healing Properties, http://www.herbco.com/p-523-lemon-balm-powder.aspx viewed 26/02/2011
The Herb Society of America, (2007). Lemon Balm, An Herb Society of America Guide, 9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Kirtland, Ohio 44094, http://www.herbalpedia.com/lemon%20balm-hoy%20profile.pdf, accessed 16/04/2011
Pelikan., W., (1997), Healing Plants ~ Insights Through Spiritual Science, Mercury Press, Fellowship Community, 241 Hungry Hollow Road, Spring Valley, NY 10977
Plants For A Future, (n.d.). Melissa Officinalis, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=melissa%20officinalis, accesses 03/04/2011
Stern, William T. (1992). Botanical Latin, Newton Abbot, Devon
Anthroposophical Nursing 