Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Lemon Balm - Melissa Officinalis

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family that has been used medicinally for centuries. Other common names include common balm, balm mint, sweet balm, and bee balm (though this last name is also used for Monarda species, which is an entirely different plant). Lemon balm should not be confused with bee balm (Monarda species), lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora), or lemon mint (Mentha × piperita 'Citrata'), which are distinct plants with different properties.

Image source and license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Innerst%C3%A4dtischer_Erwerbsgartenbau_in_Bamberg_-_Pflanzen_im_Garten_des_G%C3%A4rtner-_und_H%C3%A4ckermuseums_07.jpg.
Modified by Peter Jorgensen.

Active Compounds

The therapeutic effects of lemon balm are attributed to its bioactive compounds, primarily rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids such as luteolin and quercetin. Essential oils containing citral (neral and geranial), citronellal, linalool, and geraniol contribute to its characteristic lemon scent and some medicinal properties (Shakeri et al., 2016).

Evidence-Based Health Benefits

According to peer-reviewed research, lemon balm has demonstrated the following therapeutic properties:

• Anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects: Multiple clinical trials have shown that lemon balm can reduce anxiety symptoms and improve mood.
• Sleep enhancement: Studies suggest improvements in sleep quality and reduction in insomnia symptoms.
• Cognitive function: Modest improvements in memory, attention, and cognitive processing have been documented.
• Antiviral properties: Particularly against herpes simplex virus, with topical applications showing reduced healing time and symptom severity.
• Digestive health: Relief from functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and dyspepsia.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: In vitro and animal studies demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity.
• Neuroprotective potential: Emerging evidence suggests benefits in neurodegenerative conditions due to antioxidant properties.
• Mild antidepressant effects: Some studies indicate potential in alleviating symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression.

Recommended Dosages

Dosages vary based on preparation method and intended therapeutic use:

• Dried herb (tea): 1.5-4.5g daily, divided into 2-3 doses
• Fluid extract (1:1): 2-6 mL daily
• Tincture (1:5): 6-12 mL daily
• Standardized extract (containing 5% rosmarinic acid): 300-600 mg daily
• Essential oil (topical only): 1% dilution in carrier oil

For anxiety and stress, studies typically used 300-900 mg of standardized extract daily. For sleep disorders, 600-1,200 mg before bedtime has shown efficacy. For cognitive enhancement, 300-600 mg has been studied. It's worth noting that higher standardization of rosmarinic acid (up to 10%) is sometimes used in clinical studies.

Side Effects and Contraindications

Lemon balm is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when consumed in food amounts, but some adverse effects have been reported:

• Mild gastrointestinal discomfort
• Headaches (rare)
• Potential sedation at higher doses
• Possible interference with thyroid function at very high doses
• Allergic reactions (particularly in individuals sensitive to plants in the Lamiaceae family)

Contraindications include pregnancy and breastfeeding (due to insufficient safety data), scheduled surgery (discontinue 2 weeks prior due to potential sedative effects), and concurrent use with sedatives or thyroid medications. Individuals with thyroid conditions should use lemon balm with caution due to potential interactions with thyroid function.

High-Dose Studies and Knowledge Gaps

Limited research exists on doses significantly above the therapeutic range. Studies using doses up to 1,600 mg of standardized extract have not reported serious adverse effects, but systematic investigation of high-dose safety is lacking. Prolonged use at high doses may potentially affect thyroid hormone levels, though clinical significance remains unclear. A notable knowledge gap exists regarding long-term safety data beyond 6 months of continuous use. Additionally, more research is needed on potential drug interactions, especially with sedatives, anxiolytics, and thyroid medications.

Commercial Pharmaceutical Products

Several commercial products containing standardized lemon balm extract exist, though most are classified as herbal medicines or food supplements rather than pharmaceuticals:

• Cyracos®: A patented lemon balm extract standardized to 7% rosmarinic acid and 15% hydroxycinnamic acids, used in anxiety and sleep formulations
• Iberogast® (Bayer): A multi-herbal preparation including lemon balm for functional digestive disorders
• Lomaherpan® (Loges): Topical cream containing lemon balm extract for herpes simplex infections

While not strictly pharmaceuticals, these products have undergone standardization processes.

Conclusion

Lemon balm demonstrates promising therapeutic potential for several conditions, particularly anxiety, sleep disorders, and herpes simplex infections. The evidence is strongest for mild-to-moderate anxiety and stress reduction. Most benefits are supported by preliminary or moderate-quality evidence, with fewer large-scale clinical trials or meta-analyses compared to conventional pharmaceuticals. Standardization of products remains a challenge in assessing efficacy across studies. While generally safe at recommended doses, more research is needed on long-term effects and potential interactions with medications.

References

Astani, A., Reichling, J., & Schnitzler, P. (2012). Melissa officinalis extract inhibits attachment of herpes simplex virus in vitro. Chemotherapy, 58(1), 70-77.

Bayat, M., Azami Tameh, A., Hossein Ghahremani, M., Akbari, M., Mehr, S. E., Khanavi, M., & Hassanzadeh, G. (2012). Neuroprotective properties of Melissa officinalis after hypoxic-ischemic injury both in vitro and in vivo. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20, 1-10.

Bounihi, A., Hajjaj, G., Alnamer, R., Cherrah, Y., & Zellou, A. (2013). In vivo potential anti‐inflammatory activity of Melissa officinalis L. essential oil. Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2013(1), 101759.

Cases, J., Ibarra, A., Feuillère, N., Roller, M., & Sukkar, S. G. (2010). Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances. Mediterranean journal of nutrition and metabolism, 4(3), 211-218.

Dolatabadi, F., Abdolghaffari, A. H., Farzaei, M. H., Baeeri, M., Ziarani, F. S., Eslami, M., ... & Rahimi, R. (2018). The protective effect of Melissa officinalis L. in visceral hypersensitivity in rat using 2 models of acid-induced colitis and stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome: a possible role of nitric oxide pathway. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 24(3), 490.

Kennedy, D. O., Wake, G., Savelev, S., Tildesley, N. T. J., Perry, E. K., Wesnes, K. A., & Scholey, A. B. (2003). 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. Neuropsychopharmacology, 28(10), 1871-1881.

Petrisor, G., Motelica, L., Craciun, L. N., Oprea, O. C., Ficai, D., & Ficai, A. (2022). Melissa officinalis: Composition, pharmacological effects and derived release systems—A review. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(7), 3591. Sarer, E., & Kökdil, G. (1991). Constituents of the essential oil from Melissa officinalis. Planta medica, 57(01), 89-90.

Scholey, A., Gibbs, A., Neale, C., Perry, N., Ossoukhova, A., Bilog, V., ... & Buchwald-Werner, S. (2014). Anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods. Nutrients, 6(11), 4805-4821.

Shakeri, A., Sahebkar, A., & Javadi, B. (2016). Melissa officinalis L.–A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 188, 204-228.