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What is Lemon Balm Cream?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

For some people, skin care comes easily and consists of a daily soap and water regimen. For others, specialized treatments may be required to treat different conditions. Lemon balm cream, which opens clogged pores and relieves cold sores, is one such popular summer skin care ointment.

In order to open clogged pores and maintain healthful skin, lemon balm day cream is used as part of a daily beauty routine. Lemon balm night cream may be used for similar purposes. Night creams featuring the herb are also available for treating insomnia. European lemon balm cream often contains high amounts of the herb, not found in the Western hemisphere.

Lemon balm cream is commonly used to treat cold sores.
Lemon balm cream is commonly used to treat cold sores.

Polyphenols and tannins present within the herbal remedy provide it with several healthful benefits. It contains antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it a helpful additive in household cleaners. These properties also enable lemon balm cream to serve as a useful treatment for herpes sores, as well as mumps and strep throat. In Germany, lemon balm cream is frequently used to treat cold sores, often in combination with Valerian.

Night creams with lemon balm might help ease insomnia.
Night creams with lemon balm might help ease insomnia.

Medicinally, lemon balm has been used for many years to treat human disorders. The herbal remedy has been a part of treatment plans for anxiety, indigestion, and thyroid function. Some doctors claim that the remedy may be helpful in treating Grave's disease. It can also help relieve pain and heal wounds. Sometimes the plant can be used for sedation as well.

Lemon balm can be purchased in tincture form.
Lemon balm can be purchased in tincture form.

Muscle spasms, particularly those associated with the menstrual cycle, may be treated with lemon balm remedies. Other menstrual conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome, may also be relieved with a lemon balm treatment. The sweet-smelling remedy has also proven to be helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to creams, lemon balm can be purchased in extract, tea, tablet, tincture, and capsule form for treating these maladies.

As an added benefit, lemon balm is usually taken in an all-natural form without additives. This circumvents the unpleasant side effects, such as vomiting or nausea, that prescription drugs may cause. People sensitive or allergic to certain medications often opt to use lemon balm to treat their ailments. The herb's pleasant lemon scent, released when rubbed or crushed, is also a favorite ingredient for perfumes, lotions, candles, aromatherapy oils, and other products.

Lemon balm cream may be available under several other names. Lemon balm is also known as sweet balm, bee balm, Melissa, and cure-all. A member of the mint family, it is a popular herb in gardens across the world, particularly in the United Kingdom and the Mediterranean.

A physician should be consulted prior to using any lemon balm remedy for medicinal purposes. Lemon balm can interact with other sedatives and medications. Women who are pregnant or nursing, people with thyroid disorders, and children should only use the remedy under the supervision of a medical practitioner.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for WiseGEEK and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for WiseGEEK and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

julies

It is amazing to read through this article and learn all the things that lemon is used for all around the world. I love anything that tastes like lemon and to know that there are so many other uses for it is fascinating!

One of the best ways I found to relax is to make myself a cup of lemon balm tea. Now I know why that has always worked so well! Not only does it taste so good, but very good for me as well.

bagley79

I know that lemon has so many helpful medicinal properties, that I can see how there would be so many lemon balm uses. Using lemon balm for insomnia was one that I had not heard of before.

It makes a lot of sense to combine it with the valerian, because I know valerian is often used to help if you have trouble sleeping. Valerian doesn't smell very good, so hopefully the lemon smell would be stronger than the valerian and help balance out the scent.

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    • Lemon balm cream is commonly used to treat cold sores.
      By: uwimages
      Lemon balm cream is commonly used to treat cold sores.
    • Night creams with lemon balm might help ease insomnia.
      By: bramgino
      Night creams with lemon balm might help ease insomnia.
    • Lemon balm can be purchased in tincture form.
      By: serenacar
      Lemon balm can be purchased in tincture form.