Such medications can shorten the length and intensity of a herpes outbreak or, when taken consistently at lower dosages, reduce the frequency of flare-ups. However, they are not dramatically effective. 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. This herb is a native of southern Europe and is widely planted in gardens for the purpose of attracting bees. Its leaves give off a delicate lemon odor when bruised.
Melissa cream appears to be helpful in the treatment of genital and oral herpes.
It can be applied only at the first sign of blisters or on a regular basis for the prevention of flare-ups. However, there is no evidence that melissa will stop you from infecting another person. In one study, the melissa-treated participants recovered in 5 days, while participants receiving nonspecific creams required 10 days. However, because these studies weren't double-blind, the results can't be taken as reliable. A subsequent double-blind study followed 116 individuals with oral or genital herpes at two dermatology centers.