Lemon Balm: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
The leaves of lemon balm are the parts used in herbal medicine.
Lemon balm is used for various conditions such as anxiety, stress, nervousness, digestive disorders, and dementia. However, there is relatively little solid scientific evidence to support these uses.
Other name(s)
Lemon Balm
Scientific name(s)
Melissa officinalis L
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Caffeic Acid
Rosmarinic Acid
Flavonoids
Ursolic Acid
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Anxiety ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that taking a standardized lemon balm extract reduces symptoms associated with anxiety in patients with anxiety disorders.
A randomized, placebo-controlled pharmacological-clinical study demonstrated that the combination of lemon balm with passionflower, valerian, and butterbur reduced anxiety and depression in patients with somatization disorders.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study demonstrated that taking 500 mg of lemon balm twice daily decreases heart palpitations and anxiety. The average frequency of palpitations was 36.8% lower at baseline in the group treated with M. officinalis extract. This reduction was significant compared to the placebo group.
Chronic treatment with Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract has been shown to improve mild to moderate anxiety disorders, associated symptoms, and insomnia in humans.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
300 - 600 mg
15 - days
aqueous extract, standardized extract
Synergies
Leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances.
Heart palpitation relief with Melissa officinalis leaf extract: double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial of efficacy and safety
Stress ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research suggests that taking 600 mg of lemon balm extract increases calmness and alertness in healthy adults under psychological stress. Other preliminary clinical research shows that a dose of 300 mg reduces anxiety and improves memory and alertness during cognitive tests.
Further clinical research suggests that a 6 mg/kg lemon balm extract reduces anxious behavior compared to placebo during dental exams in children aged 6-7 years. Doses lower than 3 mg/kg were not effective.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
300 - 600 mg
dry extract
Sleep Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that taking a lemon balm extract alone or in combination with valerian has reduced insomnia in patients with sleep disorders. Improvements include sleep quality, duration, and latency.
A study tested the efficacy of a combination of Melissa officinalis L and Nepeta menthoides Boiss & Buhse on treating insomnia. Subjects received either 1000 mg of M. officinalis plus 400 mg of N. menthoides or a placebo every night for four weeks. A comparison between the treatment and placebo groups showed a significant decrease in the mean difference in the insomnia severity index. Furthermore, a significant increase was also observed in the total sleep time of the treatment group.
Chronic treatment with Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract has been shown to improve mild to moderate anxiety disorders, associated symptoms, and insomnia in humans.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
240 - 1000 mg
15 - days
powder, dry extract
Synergies
Alzheimer's Disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Limited evidence suggests that lemon balm may improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease when used orally; it is unknown whether lemon balm can improve Alzheimer's symptoms when used in aromatherapy. A small clinical study in elderly patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease shows that daily oral intake of a standardized lemon balm extract for 4 months reduces agitation and improves cognitive function. However, another small clinical study in Alzheimer's patients shows that lemon balm does not improve Alzheimer's symptoms. The validity of these latter results is limited by the notable improvement observed in the study's placebo group, suggesting a significant placebo effect.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
dry extract
Digestion disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes the traditional use of lemon balm for the symptomatic treatment of mild gastrointestinal disorders, including bloating and flatulence. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that a lemon balm herbal preparation was effective in treating functional dyspepsia. During the first 4 weeks, the gastrointestinal symptom score significantly decreased in subjects on active treatment compared to placebo. After 8 weeks, 43.3% of subjects on active treatment and 3.3% of subjects on placebo reported complete symptom relief.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
dry extract
Herpes ✪✪✪✪✪
Applying a lip balm containing 1% lemon balm extract seems to shorten healing time and reduce symptoms of recurrent cold sores when applied at the early stages of infection. Lemon balm essential oil is also known for its antiviral properties and could help accelerate herpes healing.
Posologie
Topical route: leaf
essential oil, cream
Dementia ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research in patients with severe dementia and significant agitation shows that applying a lotion containing lemon balm essential oil to the patients' face and hands for 4 weeks reduces agitation scores compared to placebo. However, other preliminary research conducted on patients with dementia did not demonstrate these benefits.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
2.5 mL
4 - months
essential oil
Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial.
Nervousness ✪✪✪✪✪
Related to its sedative actions: vegetative dystonia, neurotonic states of adults and children: sleep disorders, cardiovascular irritability, hyperemotivity, nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety. A study suggested that lemon balm is effective in reducing agitation in non-dementia people.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
dry extract
A randomized controlled trial of Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) and Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) essential oils for the treatment of agitated behaviour in older people with and without dementia
Emotional balance ✪✪✪✪✪
In clinical studies, consumption of 300 mg of standardized lemon balm extract (7% rosmarinic acid and 15% total hydroxycinnamic acids) improved symptoms of anxiety, emotional instability, fatigue, feelings of guilt, psychosomatic symptoms, and intellectual disorders.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
dry extract
Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties.
Community herbal monograph on Melissa officinalis L., folium
Memory ✪✪✪✪✪
The effects of lemon balm on memory are mixed, but improvements in "quality" of memories are noted. It is likely that a modulatory effect is associated with lemon balm. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted with 20 healthy volunteers. Participants underwent a 4-day treatment, receiving a single dose of placebo or 300, 600, or 900 mg of standardized lemon balm extract. Significant decreases in the quality of working memory and secondary memory were observed 2.5 and 4 hours after the higher doses. Self-rated calm increased significantly after 1 hour and 2.5 hours following administration of the lowest dose. Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that oral intake of 5mL of a preparation combining sage, rosemary, and lemon balm, diluted in hot water, twice daily, is more effective than a placebo in supporting episodic verbal memory in healthy subjects under 63 years old.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
ethanolic extract, dry extract
Synergies
A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial of a combined extract of sage, rosemary and melissa, traditional herbal medicines, on the enhancement of memory in normal healthy subjects, including influence of age
Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties.
Premenstrual syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Related to its antispasmodic actions.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Effect of Melissa officinalis capsule on the mental health of female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial study.
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
The antioxidant activity is due to the presence of rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. In several clinical studies, lemon balm leaves consumed as tea for 30 days acted on oxidative parameters and reduced DNA damage in people exposed to low-level radiation.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1500 mg
dry extract
Gastritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Related to its protective actions on the gastrointestinal system.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
dry extract
Irritable bowel syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Lemon balm is recognized for its benefits in treating various digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It has antispasmodic properties, which means it can help relieve intestinal spasms, a common feature of IBS. By acting on the smooth muscles of the intestine, lemon balm can decrease muscle contractions, thus reducing pain and discomfort. In addition to IBS, lemon balm is also used to treat functional bowel disorder, characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and transit disorders, without any apparent organic anomaly. Its beneficial action on the digestive system makes it useful in treating colitis, colon inflammation often accompanied by pain and spasms. Its calming and antispasmodic properties help relax the digestive system, offering relief in various painful abdominal conditions.
Posologie
Oral route: leaf
300 - 1650 mg
dry extract
Properties
Antioxidant
The antioxidant activity is attributed to the presence of rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. In several clinical studies, consuming lemon balm leaves as a tea for 30 days helped influence oxidative parameters and reduced DNA damage in people exposed to low-level radiation.
Usages associés
Sedative
Lemon balm, known for its calming properties, has been scientifically researched, demonstrating its sedative effect in in vivo studies (i.e., on living organisms). These studies suggest that lemon balm's sedative action could be linked to its ability to interact with the acetylcholine neurotransmission system, a key component in brain function.
More specifically, the active compounds in lemon balm seem to have an affinity for the nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. These two types of receptors play crucial roles in regulating neuronal activity. Lemon balm has shown the ability to bind to these receptors in homogenates of human cerebral cortex cell membranes, meaning preparations of brain tissues used for studying cellular biochemistry.
This binding process occurs in a dose-dependent manner. The plant acts by displacing the radiolabeled markers, [3H]-(N)-nicotine and [3H]-(N)-scopolamine, from the nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. This indicates it may influence the functioning of these receptors, and consequently modulate neuronal activity, leading to its calming effect.
Usages associés
Neurological
Lemon balm contains flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds (including rosmarinic acid), as well as monoterpene glycosides. These substances may contribute to the behavioral effects of lemon balm leaves and essential oil.
Clinical research suggests lemon balm has a calming effect. Cholinergic modulation seems to play a role in lemon balm's effect on memory and alertness. Preliminary clinical research shows that lemon balm may induce anxiolytic effects that can help reduce palpitations.
Usages associés
Anxiolytic
Preliminary clinical research shows that lemon balm may induce anxiolytic effects that can help reduce symptomatic palpitations.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
In vivo research shows that rosmarinic acid, a constituent of lemon balm, confers anti-inflammatory properties.
Usages associés
Digestive Effect
Lemon balm protects in vivo against ulcers by increasing mucin secretion and prostaglandin E2 release while decreasing leukotriene release.
Usages associés
Antiviral
Studies show that rosmarinic acid contributes to the antiviral activity of lemon balm extract. The penetration of the herpes virus into cells is inhibited by lemon balm extract at levels of 80% and 96% for acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant viruses, respectively.
Usages associés
Hypolipidemic
Lemon balm extract has also been identified as having hypolipidemic action by reducing total cholesterol and total serum lipid levels as well as decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing hepatic glutathione levels in vivo. A capacity to modulate weight gain, fat mass, and lipid metabolism has also been reported.
Antispasmodic
The citral and β-caryophyllene in lemon balm inhibit contractions of tracheal and ileal muscles in vitro. The total lemon balm extract provided in addition to standard treatments for people with irritable bowel syndrome has shown the ability to reduce the frequency and severity of abdominal pain and bloating.
Usages associés
Antimicrobial
Lemon balm is active in vitro against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and parasites (Leishmania major and Trypanosoma brucei).
Irritable bowel syndrome has been associated with intestinal dysbiosis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and lemon balm's antibacterial effects are thought to contribute to its effects against this condition.
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 year(s): 300 mg - 1650 mg
- Fresh plant: 1.5-4.5 g 2, 3 times per day. - Infusion: 1.5-4.5 g in 150 ml of water. - Fluid extract (1:1) (g/ml): 6-12 ml/day. - Ointment: 700 mg/g of ointment applied 4 times per day in cases of herpes simplex infection. Lemon balm extracts used in clinical research are often standardized to contain 6 to 7 % rosmarinic acid.
Interactions
Médicaments
Thyroid hormone-based medications: weak interaction
In animals, lemon balm extract has been shown to decrease circulating TSH levels and inhibit thyroid secretion.
Barbiturates: weak interaction
A study conducted on animals revealed that the simultaneous administration of lemon balm extract and pentobarbital resulted in an enhanced sedative effect.
Precautions
Thyroid disorders: use with caution
Lemon balm may affect thyroid function, lower thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with hormone therapy.
Glaucoma: use with caution
Lemon balm may cause additive depression of the central nervous system when combined with anesthesia and other medications during and after surgical procedures.
