Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a herb of the mint family with lemon-scented leaves, long used in European herbal medicine.
Also listed as Melissengeist, Bee Balm, Garden Balm, Melissa
Calmer, but also less alert
In a crossover trial, 18 healthy adults received single doses of 300 or 600 mg of a standardized extract or placebo before laboratory stress testing. At 600 mg, participants reported greater calmness but lower alertness. At 300 mg, mathematical processing was faster without reduced accuracy. These were short-term laboratory findings. 1
Sleep and bloating: what does traditional use mean?
EMA recognizes lemon balm leaf medicines for mild mental stress, to aid sleep, and for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and gas. Its assessment rests on longstanding use because clinical trials were insufficient to establish efficacy. 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Stress & Mood4 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Sleep1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Cognition4 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Immune Support1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Sources
- Melissae folium European Medicines Agency