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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.
- Depression. Small clinical trials show that oral lemon balm may improve depression when used short-term; the long-term effects are unclear. It is also unclear if lemon balm aromatherapy is beneficial for depression.
Login for details - Herpes labialis (cold sores). Topical lemon balm 1% lotion seems to be beneficial for the healing of recurrent cold sores.
Login for details - Stress. Oral lemon balm seems to be beneficial for improving experimentally-induced stress in some patients.
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- Age-related cognitive decline. It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for improving cognitive function.
Login for details - Alzheimer disease. It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for improving cognitive function.
Login for details - Anxiety. It is unclear if oral lemon balm or lemon balm aromatherapy is beneficial for reducing anxiety in most patients.
Login for details - Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Login for details
- Chronic bronchitis. Login for details
- Cognitive function. It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for improving memory and response time in healthy patients.
Login for details - Colic. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Delirium. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Dementia. It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, such as agitation.
Login for details - Dysmenorrhea. Login for details
- Dyspepsia. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Headache. Login for details
- Hypertension. It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for hypertension.
Login for details - Hyperthyroidism. Login for details
- Insect repellent. Login for details
- Insomnia. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Menopausal symptoms. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Pain (acute). It is unclear if lemon balm aromatherapy is beneficial for reducing pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Login for details - Postpartum complications. Oral lemon balm might reduce postpartum pain in some patients; however, it's not clear if it is beneficial for other postpartum complications.
Login for details - Psoriasis. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Somatic symptom disorder. Oral lemon balm has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Ventricular arrhythmias. It is unclear if oral lemon balm leaf tea is beneficial for patients with premature ventricular contraction (PVC).
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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 & 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.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
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.
Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.
Herbs with thyroid activity: Lemon balm might affect the body's production of thyroid hormone. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might alter thyroid function too much and cause side effects. Examples of supplements with this effect include bugleweed and tiratricol.
Taking lemon balm with alcohol might increase sleepiness. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.
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.
Balm, Balm Mint, Bálsamo de Limón, Common Balm, Cure-All, Dropsy Plant, Honey Plant, Melisa, Melissa, Melissa officinalis, Melissae Folium, Mélisse, Mélisse Citronnelle, Mélisse Officinale, Melissenblatt, Monarde, Sweet Balm, Sweet Mary, Toronjil.
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