This herb has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-hormonal effects. The active compounds include volatile oils such as citronellal, glycosides, caffeic acids such as rosmaric acid, triperpene acids including ursolic acid, and flavonoids such as cynaro – side. Lemon balm has one reported case of contact irritation. It is administered as powder, tea, and infusion (22).
A 1% cream applied five times a day in 116 patients in a double-blinded trial for Herpes Simplex documented complete clearing by day 8 in 96%. Lesion size and healing time were statistically significantly superior to placebo (43).