Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
White Dead Nettle vs Lemon balm
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
White Dead Nettle and Lemon balm: both belong to the Lamiaceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | White Dead Nettle | Lemon balm | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Lemon balm |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Verbascoside, tiliroside and quercetin/kaempferol 3-O-glucosides in the flowers.
Lamalbid, alboside A and B and caryoptoside; linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lamalbid, chlorogenic acid, verbascoside, rutin and tiliroside, richest in the flowering tops.
The principal phenolic acid of lemon balm, associated with much of its antioxidant and antiviral activity.
The volatile oil (geranial and neral, together called citral, plus citronellal) gives the characteristic lemon scent and has demonstrated anxiolytic activity.
Minor constituents studied for anti-inflammatory activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Astringent and anti-inflammatory infusion or tincture (flowering tops)
Astringent (catarrh, excessive menstrual or vaginal discharge); Astringent and anti-inflammatory infusion or tincture (flowering tops)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Astringent (catarrh, excessive menstrual or vaginal discharge)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from astringent action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antiviral action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally regarded as safe in culinary amounts and at normal medicinal doses; unlike the stinging nettle it has no stinging hairs.
Medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be approached cautiously, as for any traditional astringent.
Identify correctly before foraging (resembles stinging nettle before flowering and red dead-nettle); clinical evidence is limited, so it should not replace conventional treatment.
Generally very safe for adults. Theoretically may interact with thyroid medications and sedatives. Avoid high therapeutic doses during pregnancy. Long-term safety data beyond a few months is limited.
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Botanical Description
Perennial herb closely resembling stinging nettle in leaf shape but entirely without stinging hairs. Square stems bear opposite, toothed, heart-shaped leaves, and whorls of white, hooded, two-lipped flowers cluster in the upper leaf axils.[15]
Perennial herb, 30-70 (up to 150) cm tall, with square, branched, hairy stems typical of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, ovate to heart-shaped with a toothed margin, wrinkled and softly hairy, releasing a strong lemon scent when crushed. Small, pale yellow to white, two-lipped flowers are borne in loose whorls in the leaf axils. The fruit splits into four small nutlets.[6]
Habitat
Grows in hedgerows, waste ground, gardens and roadsides on nitrogen-rich soils; native to Europe and temperate Asia, widely naturalised elsewhere.
Native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia, widely cultivated and naturalised in gardens, hedgebanks and waste ground across temperate regions, favouring sunny to lightly shaded, well-drained soils.[6]
Harvesting
The flowering tops are picked as they open, largely through spring to autumn given the long flowering season, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place; the standardisation markers are richest in the flowering tops specifically.[15]
Leaves and flowering tops are cut just before or at the start of flowering (summer), when the volatile-oil content is highest, and dried quickly at low temperature away from direct light, since the aromatic oil is heat- and light-sensitive.[6]
Traditional Uses
White dead-nettle flower has a long European folk history as an astringent remedy for catarrh and excessive menstrual or vaginal discharge, and topically as a vulnerary wash for minor wounds; the young leaves and shoots have also traditionally been eaten as a cooked spring pot-herb.
Lemon balm has a long European tradition as a calming, 'cheering' herb for nervous tension, poor sleep and mild anxiety, and as a carminative for indigestion, bloating and cramping; topically it has traditionally been applied to cold sores. Modern clinical trials support anxiolytic and mood-related benefits and antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus, consistent with these traditional uses.[4, 6, 9]
References
Lookalikes Review
Preparations
Not documented
Dried leaf steeped in hot water, the classic way of taking lemon balm for calming and digestive support.
Encapsulated dry extract, the form used in clinical trials studying lemon balm for anxiety and mood; follow product-specific dosing.
Concentrated leaf extract cream applied to cold sores (herpes labialis) at the earliest sign of an outbreak.
Tincture of the dried leaf, 2-6 ml one to three times daily per the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Dosage
Not documented
The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-4.5 g of the comminuted leaf in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, 1-3 times daily, in adolescents over 12, adults and elderly; a liquid extract at 2-4 mL and a tincture at 2-6 mL, both 1-3 times daily, are also listed. If symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks a healthcare practitioner should be consulted. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Pairings
Not documented
Lemon balm and passionflower are both gentle, GABA-acting calming herbs often blended together in anti-anxiety and sleep formulas; combined use may deepen relaxation but also add to drowsiness.[17, 19]
References & Sources
- Czerwinska, M.E., Swierczewska, A., Wozniak, M. and Kiss, A.K (2017) 'Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Iridoids and Phenylpropanoids from Aerial Parts of Lamium album and Their Anti-inflammatory Activity in Human Neutrophils', Planta Medica, 83(12-13), pp. 1011-1019. doi:10.1055/s-0043-107031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-107031 - Czerwinska, M.E., Swierczewska, A. and Granica, S (2018) 'Bioactive Constituents of Lamium album L. as Inhibitors of Cytokine Secretion in Human Neutrophils', Molecules, 23(11), pp. 2770. doi:10.3390/molecules23112770 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23112770 - Czerwinska, M.E., Kalinowska, E., Popowski, D. and Bazylko, A (2020) 'Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers - Development and Validation of HPLC-DAD Method', Molecules, 25(7), pp. 1721. doi:10.3390/molecules25071721 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071721 - Sulborska, A., Konarska, A., Matysik-Wozniak, A., Dmitruk, M., Weryszko-Chmielewska, E., Skalska-Kaminska, A. and Rejdak, R (2020) 'Phenolic Constituents of Lamium album L. subsp. album Flowers: Anatomical, Histochemical, and Phytochemical Study', Molecules, 25(24), pp. 6025. doi:10.3390/molecules25246025 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25246025 - Konarska, A., Weryszko-Chmielewska, E., Matysik-Wozniak, A., Sulborska, A., Polak, B., Dmitruk, M., Piotrowska-Weryszko, K., Stefanczyk, B. and Rejdak, R (2021) 'Histochemical and Phytochemical Analysis of Lamium album subsp. album L. Corolla: Essential Oil, Triterpenes, and Iridoids', Molecules, 26(14), pp. 4166. doi:10.3390/molecules26144166 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144166 - Khanaki, K., Fekri, A., Abedinzade, M., Mohammadi, E. and Aghajanpour, F (2022) 'Potential anti-inflammatory effect of Lamium album extract through caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 genes expression in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion', Folia Medica, 64(2), pp. 275-282. doi:10.3897/folmed.64.e60562 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.64.e60562 - Bubueanu, C., Iuksel, R. and Panteli, M (2019) 'Haemostatic activity of butanolic extracts of Lamium album and Lamium purpureum aerial parts', Acta Pharmaceutica, 69(3), pp. 443-449. doi:10.2478/acph-2019-0026 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2019-0026 - Arefani, S., Mehran, S.M.M., Moladoust, H., Norasfard, M.R., Ghorbani, A. and Abedinzade, M (2018) 'Effects of standardized extracts of Lamium album and Urtica dioica on rat tracheal smooth muscle contraction', Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 21(2), pp. 70-75. doi:10.3831/KPI.2018.21.008 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2018.21.008 - Zhang, H., Rothwangl, K., Mesecar, A.D., Sabahi, A., Rong, L. and Fong, H.H.S (2009) 'Lamiridosins, hepatitis C virus entry inhibitors from Lamium album', Journal of Natural Products, 72(12), pp. 2158-2162. doi:10.1021/np900549e Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/np900549e - Chipeva, V.A., Petrova, D.C., Geneva, M.E., Dimitrova, M.A., Moncheva, P.A. and Kapchina-Toteva, V.M (2013) 'Antimicrobial activity of extracts from in vivo and in vitro propagated Lamium album L. plants', African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 10(6), pp. 559-562. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i6.30 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v10i6.30 - Paduch, R. and Wozniak, A (2015) 'The Effect of Lamium album Extract on Cultivated Human Corneal Epithelial Cells (10.014 pRSV-T)', Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research, 10(3), pp. 229-237. doi:10.4103/2008-322X.170349 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/2008-322X.170349 - Abedinzade, M., Rostampour, M., Mirzajani, E., Khalesi, Z.B., Pourmirzaee, T. and Khanaki, K (2019) 'Urtica Dioica and Lamium Album Decrease Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 beta and Increase K-Ras in Diabetic Rats', Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 22(4), pp. 248-252. doi:10.3831/KPI.2019.22.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2019.22.033 - Budzianowski, J. and Skrzypczak, L (1995) 'Phenylpropanoid esters from Lamium album flowers', 38(4), pp. 997--1001. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(94)00727-B Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00727-B - Damtoft, S (1992) 'Iridoid glucosides from Lamium album', 31(1), pp. 175--178. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(91)83030-O Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83030-O - Pietrzak, W. and Nowak, R (2020) 'Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers - Development and Validation of HPLC-DAD Method', 25(8). doi:10.3390/molecules25081913 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25081913 - Grieve, M (1931). Available at: https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/netwhd11.html Traditional / reference
https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/netwhd11.html - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'White Deadnettle (Lamium album): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/white-deadnettle/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/white-deadnettle/ - Ask-Ayurveda (n.d.) 'Lamium album (White Dead-Nettle) in Ayurveda - Benefits, Uses, Medicinal Properties & Healing Applications'. Available at: https://ask-ayurveda.com/wiki/article/4805-lamium-album Traditional / reference
https://ask-ayurveda.com/wiki/article/4805-lamium-album - Francis-Baker, T (2021), pp. 48. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Francis-Baker%2C%20T - First Nature (n.d.) 'Lamium album, White Dead-nettle: identification, distribution, habitat'. Available at: https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/lamium-album.php Traditional / reference
https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/lamium-album.php - Ballyrobert Gardens (n.d.) 'Lamium album'. Available at: https://www.ballyrobertgardens.com/products/lamium-album Traditional / reference
https://www.ballyrobertgardens.com/products/lamium-album - Botanical Society of Scotland (2022) 'Plant of the Week - 17 January 2022: the White Dead-nettle (Lamium album)'. Available at: https://botsocscot.wordpress.com/2022/01/16/plant-of-the-week-january-17th-2022-the-white-dead-nettle-lamium-album/ Traditional / reference
https://botsocscot.wordpress.com/2022/01/16/plant-of-the-week-january-17th-2022-the-white-dead-nettle-lamium-album/ - Gardeners' World (2024) 'World (2024)'. Available at: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/dead-nettles/ Traditional / reference
https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/dead-nettles/ - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Lamium album L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:448792-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:448792-1 - Royal Horticultural Society (n.d.) 'Lamium album (white deadnettle)'. Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/9810/lamium-album/details Traditional / reference
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/9810/lamium-album/details - The Wildlife Trusts (n.d.) 'White dead-nettle'. Available at: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/white-dead-nettle Traditional / reference
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/white-dead-nettle
- Mathews, I.M., Eastwood, J., Lamport, D.J., Cozannet, R.L. and others (2024) 'Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review', Nutrients, 16(20), pp. 3545. doi:10.3390/nu16203545 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203545 - Ghazizadeh, J., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Marx, W., Fakhari, A. and others (2021) 'The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6690-6705. doi:10.1002/ptr.7252 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7252 - Shahsavari, K., Shams Ardekani, M.R., Khanavi, M., Jamialahmadi, T. and others (2024) 'Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) consumption on serum lipid profile: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), pp. 146. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04442-0 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04442-0 - Petrisor, G., Motelica, L., Craciun, L.N., Oprea, O.C. and others (2022) 'Melissa officinalis: Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Derived Release Systems-A Review', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(7), pp. 3591. doi:10.3390/ijms23073591 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073591 - Heshmati, J., Morvaridzadeh, M., Sepidarkish, M., Fazelian, S. and others (2020) 'Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 34(12), pp. 3113-3123. doi:10.1002/ptr.6744 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6744 - Shakeri, A., Sahebkar, A. and Javadi, B (2016) 'Melissa officinalis L. - A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 188, pp. 204-228. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010 - Zam, W., Quispe, C., Sharifi-Rad, J., Lopez, M.D. and others (2022) 'An Updated Review on The Properties of Melissa officinalis L.: Not Exclusively Anti-anxiety', Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar Edition), 14(2), pp. 16. doi:10.31083/j.fbs1402016 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbs1402016 - Chang, J.Y., Balch, C., Puccio, J. and Oh, H.S (2023) 'A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus', Viruses, 15(6), pp. 1314. doi:10.3390/v15061314 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061314 - Ulbricht, C., Brendler, T., Gruenwald, J., Kligler, B. and others (2005) 'Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 5(4), pp. 71-114. doi:10.1080/j157v05n04_08 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/j157v05n04_08 - Stojanovic, N.M., Mladenovic, M.Z., Maslovaric, A., Stojiljkovic, N.I. and others (2021) 'Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil and citronellal modulate anxiety-related symptoms - In vitro and in vivo studies', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 284, pp. 114788. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114788 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114788 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2013) 'Community herbal monograph on Melissa officinalis L., folium'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-melissa-officinalis-l-folium_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-melissa-officinalis-l-folium_en.pdf - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Kennedy, D.O. et al (2002) 'Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis', 27(2), pp. 256--261. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00777-3 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00777-3 - Petersen, M. and Simmonds, M.S.J (2003) 'Rosmarinic acid', 62(2), pp. 121--125. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rosmarinic%20acid - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Haybar, H., Javid, A.Z., Haghighizadeh, M.H., Valizadeh, E., Mohaghegh, S.M. and Mohammadzadeh, A (2018) 'The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable angina', Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 26, pp. 47-52. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.04.015 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.04.015 - Keck, M.E., Nicolussi, S., Spura, K., Blohm, C., Zahner, C. and Drewe, J (2020) 'Effect of the fixed combination of valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, and butterbur extracts (Ze 185) on the prescription pattern of benzodiazepines in hospitalized psychiatric patients', Phytotherapy Research, 34(6), pp. 1436-1445. doi:10.1002/ptr.6618 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6618
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.