LEMON BALM: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb from the mint family. The leaves, which have a mild lemon aroma, are used to make medicine and flavor foods.

Lemon balm contains chemicals that seem to have a sedative and calming effect. It might also reduce the growth of some viruses and bacteria.

People use lemon balm for cold sores, anxiety, stress, insomnia, indigestion, dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Depression. Taking lemon balm by mouth might help to improve symptoms of depression in adults with depression and/or anxiety.
Cold sores (herpes labialis). Applying a lotion containing a lemon balm extract (LomaHerpan by Infectopharm) to cold sores right after they appear seems to shorten healing time and reduce symptoms.
Stress. Taking lemon balm by mouth increases calmness, memory, and alertness in adults under mental stress. Taking lemon balm along with other ingredients might also reduce stress.

There is interest in using lemon balm for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Lemon balm is likely safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Lemon balm supplements are possibly safe when used at a dose of up to 500 mg daily for up to 6 months. Side effects are generally mild and might include increased appetite, nausea, dizziness, and wheezing. There isn't enough reliable information to know if lemon balm is safe to use for more than 6 months.

When applied to the skin: Lemon balm is possibly safe for most adults. It may cause skin irritation.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lemon balm is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Lemon balm is possibly safe when taken by mouth by children for about one month.

Surgery: Lemon balm might cause too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with LEMON BALM
Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking lemon balm with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Thyroid hormone interacts with LEMON BALM
Taking lemon balm seems to decrease how well thyroid hormone works in the body. Taking lemon balm with thyroid hormone might decrease the effects of the thyroid hormone.

Dosing

Lemon balm is available in many forms, including supplements, combination products, lotions, ointments, massage oils, and others. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of lemon balm might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

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Noguchi-Shinohara M, Ono K, Hamaguchi T, et al. Safety and efficacy of Melissa officinalis extract containing rosmarinic acid in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease progression. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):18627. View abstract.

PARDO-ALDAVE K, DIAZ-PIZAN ME, VILLEGAS LF, et al. Child behaviour modulation during first dental visit after administration of lemon balm, Poster Sessions. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2009;19(1):66-170.

Perry NSL, Menzies R, Hodgson F, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 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. Phytomedicine. 2018 Jan 15;39:42-48. View abstract.

Ranjbar M, Salehi A, Rezaeizadeh H, et al. Efficacy of a combination of Melissa officinalis L. and Nepeta Menthoides Boiss. and Buhse on insomnia: a triple-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 May 9. View abstract.

Safari M, Asadi A, Aryaeian N, et al. The effects of melissa officinalis on depression and anxiety in type 2 diabetes patients with depression: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023;23(1):140. View abstract.

Santini F, Vitti P, Ceccarini G, et al. In vitro assay of thyroid disruptors affecting TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003 Oct;26:950-5. View abstract.

Savino F, Cresi F, Castagno E, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a standardized extract of Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis (ColiMil) in the treatment of breastfed colicky infants. Phytother Res 2005;19:335-40. View abstract.

Schmidt, U, Krieger, W, Frerick, H, and Schenk, N. Psychosomatische und psychische Störungen / Baldrian und Melisse statt synthetischer Psychopharmaka. 1992;14:15-19.

Scholey A, et al. Anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods. Nutrients. 3014;6(11):4805-4821. doi: 10.3390/nu6114805. View abstract.

Shahsavari K, Shams Ardekani MR, Khanavi M, Jamialahmadi T, Iranshahi M, Hasanpour M. Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) consumption on serum lipid profile: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024;24(1):146. View abstract.

Shekarriz Z, Shorofi SA, Nabati M, Shabankhani B, Yousefi SS. Effect of Melissa officinalis on systolic and diastolic blood pressures in essential hypertension: A double-blind crossover clinical trial. Phytother Res 2021;35(12):6883-6892. View abstract.

Shirazi M, Jalalian MN, Abed M, Ghaemi M. The Effectiveness of Melissa Officinalis L. versus Citalopram on Quality of Life of Menopausal Women with Sleep Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2021;43(2):126-130. View abstract.

Solberg E. The effects of powdered fertilized eggs on depression. J Med Food. 2011 Jul-Aug;14:870-5. View abstract.

Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, et al. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991 Apr;57:105-9. View abstract.

Sourgens H, Winterhoff H, Gumbinger HG, et al. Antihormonal effects of plant extracts. TSH- and prolactin-suppressing properties of Lithospermum officinale and other plants. Planta Med. 1982 Jun;45:78-86. View abstract.

St-Onge MP, Jones PJ. Physiological effects of medium-chain triglycerides: potential agents in the prevention of obesity. J Nutr 2002;132:329-32.. View abstract.

Stojanovic NM, Randjelovic PJ, Mladenovic MZ, et al. Toxic essential oils, part VI: Acute oral toxicity of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil in BALB/c mice. Food Chem Toxicol. 2019;133:110794. View abstract.

Thompson A, Meah D, Ahmed N, et al. Comparison of the antibacterial activity of essential oils and extracts of medicinal and culinary herbs to investigate potential new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:338. View abstract.

Veiskaramian A, Gholami M, Yarahmadi S, Amanolahi Baharvand P, Birjandi M. Effect of aromatherapy with Melissa essential oil on stress and hemodynamic parameters in acute coronary syndrome patients: A clinical trial in the emergency department. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021;44:101436. View abstract.

Vejdani R, Shalmani HR, Mir-Fattahi M, et al. The efficacy of an herbal medicine, Carmint, on the relief of abdominal pain and bloating in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study. Dig Dis Sci. 2006 Aug;51:1501-7. View abstract.

Watson K, Hatcher D, Good A. A randomised 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. Complement Ther Med 2019;42:366-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.016. View abstract.

Weizman Z, Alkrinawi S, Goldfarb D, et al. Efficacy of herbal tea preparation in infantile colic. J Pediatr 1993;122(4):650-652. View abstract.

Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:25-31.

Yargholi A, Shirbeigi L, Rahimi R, Mansouri P, Ayati MH. The effect of Melissa officinalis syrup on patients with mild to moderate psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Res Notes 2021;14(1):253. View abstract.

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LEMON BALM - Uses, Side Effects, and More