Lemon Balm (Melissa) For Herpes

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Below is some info with references to clinical studies about the herb

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and in some cases the oil of Lemon

Balm.

 

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Chris (list mom)

 

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http://tinyurl.com/a455p

Additional clinical research has shown lemon balm exerts potent

antiviral activity against herpes simplex when used topically. Company

research on the German Lomaherpan cream, containing 70:1 Melissa

officinalis, has taken place for the past decade. When Lomaherpan was

used in patients with an initial herpes infection, none of the patients

developed another cold sore. The cream has been found to produce a rapid

interruption of the herpes infection and promotes faster healing of

herpes blisters (five vs ten days). When patients with recurring cold

sores used the cream regularly, the recurrences either ceased or the

cold sore frequency was reduced (with an average cold-sore-free period

of greater than 3 ½ months). Another study evaluated 115 subjects with

cold sores. The Melissa cream was applied to lesions five times daily

until healed. After four days, 60% of patients reported complete healing

and after eight days, 96% of patients reported complete healing.

 

http://tinyurl.com/azok9

Clinical trials indicate that substances in melissa's volatile oils make

this herb a promising remedy for treating cold sores, the painful lip

lesions caused by the herpes simplex (type 1) virus. Melissa has been

shown to speed healing of the lesions, especially when taken at the

first signs of an outbreak. It also appears to increase the time between

outbreaks when used regularly. Even genital lesions caused by a

different herpes simplex virus (type 2) may respond to melissa

treatment.

 

http://tinyurl.com/c3qlj

Antiviral, Antibacterial, or Antifungal Activities: In a randomized,

double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the antiviral effect of

lemon balm on herpes simplex virus was investigated.10 The criterion

used as a therapeutic outcome was a combined-symptoms score at day 2 of

therapy, when the symptoms are usually most intense. Lemon balm was

administered topically to 34 patients with recurrent herpes labialis,

whereas 32 matched patients with the disease received a placebo

formulation. Patients who received the herbal formulation had a

statistically lower combined-symptoms score than the placebo group

(i.e., they experienced fewer overall symptoms than the control

group).10 These effects on the herpes virus are believed to be related

to the presence of caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ferulic acid in

the plant.7

The aqueous extract of lemon balm showed anti-HIV activity by inhibiting

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in vitro.11 Interestingly, the essential oil

obtained from lemon balm was devoid of any anti-HIV-1 effect.11 The oil

essence of lemon balm was shown to possess both antibacterial and

antifungal activities in vitro.12

 

http://tinyurl.com/dqllw

Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)

More commonly known in the United States as lemon balm, Melissa

officinalis is widely sold in Europe as a topical cream for the

treatment of genital and oral herpes.

One double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed 66 people who were

just starting to develop a cold sore (oral herpes). 4 Treatment with

melissa cream produced significant benefits on day 2, reducing intensity

of discomfort, number of blisters, and the size of the lesion. (The

researchers specifically looked at day 2 because, according to them,

that is when symptoms are most pronounced.)

Another double-blind study followed 116 individuals with oral or genital

herpes. 3 Participants used either melissa cream or placebo cream for up

to 10 days. The results showed that use of the herb resulted in a

significantly better rate of recovery than those given placebo.

For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full

melissa article: http://tinyurl.com/bjnfd