Is Dr. Oz from Oz?

Lemon Balm Oil orders have gone up this week. We sell quite a bit of lemon balm, but normally not this much in one week. I know why now. Dr. Oz had a segment on television called Dr Oz Middle Age Cures. During the segment, he mentions using lemon balm oil to reduce stress. What they were actually using on the show was lemon balm tincture, not lemon balm oil.
Lemon Balm Oil is used topically for skin conditions. Lemon balm tincture is used for stress, but you can’t start putting droppers full of it into your mouth willy nilly like they did on the show nor squirt dropper fulls into your glass of water. What are these people thinking?
Herbs are potent medicine not toys. Yes, lemon balm is used for stress and anxiety. Lemon balm is a sedative herb. All you need is lemon balm herb and a cup of hot water to drink it as a medicinal tea. You don't have to use it as a tincture.
You don’t want to mix it with other sedative herbs like valerian as Terri Trespico stated. Valerian is nature’s Valium. It isn’t necessary to mix Valerian with other sedative herbs. When you start mixing herbs, you have to know what you are doing. Too many sedative herbs can harm you. Not mentioned on the show are side effects nor interaction with other drugs. Remember that herbal medicine is medicine. Just like prescription drugs, you shouldn’t mix them without consulting someone who understands interactions.
For example, if you are taking medication for thyroid issues, you shouldn’t even touch lemon balm much less injest it. Know what you are doing before taking any medicine including herbs.
You can read more about lemon balm herb here: Lemon Balm Herbal Information.
Who is this Terri Trespicio, and why is she giving out that kind of advice? According to her bio, she does not have a background in herbal medicine. She has a degree in fine arts and creative writing and works for Martha Stewart. There is no mention of any training to discuss herbalism or treatments using herbs.
Our concern is that people set themselves up as experts, who don't have the proper training to do so. They throw out advice with no mention that individuals should do their homework before taking herbs as medicine. It is unprofessional to have such a light hearted approach to herbal medicine. It’s irresponsible to play around with herbs in the manner they did on this show.