Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
also known as Balm, Melissa, Common balm
A lemon-scented mint-family herb traditionally used for anxiety, sleep, digestive comfort, and topically for cold sores.
- Mild calming and anxiolytic action
- Supports sleep, especially with valerian
- Carminative — eases nervous stomach
- Topical cream supports cold sore healing
- Inhibits GABA transaminase, raising GABA levels
- May support cognitive function in clinical studies
- Praised by Avicenna in the 11th century
- Used in European medicine for centuries
Active in Rosmarinic acid, Citral, Citronellal, Linalool, Tannins.
Use caution with hypothyroidism — may reduce thyroid hormone activity at high doses
Use caution with sedative medications — additive effect
Avoid concentrated extracts in pregnancy
Related literature · not reviewed for these claims
These papers were imported by topic. They may concern plants, laboratory work, or different preparations. Inclusion here does not establish a human health benefit or support the claims above. How to read our sources →
- Melissa officinalis L. protects against reflux esophagitis by attenuating NF-κB- and MAPK-mediated inflammation in rats.
- Lemon balm-derived nanovesicles restore mitochondrial function and reduce cytokine production in skin fibroblasts under pro-inflammatory conditions.
- Lemon Balm Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Damage Through Modulation of Oxidative Stress and p-p38 MAPK Signaling.
- Comparison of the Effects of a Melissa officinalis L. and Valerian Combination With Clonidine on Anxiety, Hemodynamic Changes, and Shivering in Knee Replacement Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- Mycorrhizal colonization enhances the growth and physiological traits of Melissa officinalis under drought stress and Fusarium culmorum infection.
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Common questions
There's real support for this. Lemon balm has a mild calming and anxiolytic effect, working partly by raising GABA levels in the brain, and it's often paired with valerian for sleep specifically.
Yes, this is one of its better topical uses. A lemon balm cream applied to a cold sore has research support for speeding healing.
Use caution if you have hypothyroidism. At high doses, lemon balm may reduce thyroid hormone activity.
Be mindful of combining it with sedative medications, since the calming effects can add together more than expected.