Efficacy and safety of Klosterfrau® Melissengeist in the treatment of burnout syndrome

Burnout syndrome is a mental state characterized by long-term exhaustion and diminished interest. Affected people often also suffer from agitation, nervousness, and disturbed sleep. In this case study 105 burnout patients were treated with 2 daily doses of 10ml Klosterfrau® Melissengeist for 4 weeks to observe efficacy and safety. The active principle of Klosterfrau® Melissengeist are essential oils of 13 different herbs within an ethanolic distillate.

For 98% of the patients, the physicians rated the compliance as very good or good. 103 patients took their medication per protocol, and 100 patients completed the therapy within the planned time. At the study onset, and after 2 and 4 weeks, each patient filled in a questionnaire designed after the German version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-D). In all three categories, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal fulfillment, a highly significant improvement was observed after 4 weeks of regular intake (p<0.001). Already after 2 weeks, improvements could be seen in all categories. The global efficacy was rated very good or good by 39% of the physicians and 49.5% of the patients. The global tolerability was rated very good or good by 99% of the physicians and 94.3% of the patients. 16 Patients experienced 17 adverse events, which were all judged to be unrelated to the study medication.

As a conclusion, Klosterfrau® Melissengeist can be regarded as a safe and efficient remedy to reduce symptoms of the burnout syndrome including fatigue and exhaustion, as well as indifference and disinterest, while improving the feeling of personal fulfillment and gratification.