Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon balm
For the health condition: Anxiety

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a longstanding history of traditional use as a calming herb, but there is also scientific interest in its potential for supporting anxiety relief. Several small clinical studies have investigated lemon balm's anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, generally using extracts or compounds standardized for rosmarinic acid and other polyphenols.

For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2004 found that participants who took a standardized lemon balm extract (300 mg and 600 mg doses) reported increased calmness and reduced alertness compared to placebo. Another study in 2011 used a combination of lemon balm and valerian in children and adolescents with restlessness and dyssomnia, reporting positive effects on symptoms. Animal studies have also shown that lemon balm extracts can have anxiolytic effects, possibly by influencing GABAergic activity in the brain, similar to the mechanism of some conventional anxiolytics.

However, most human trials have been small and short-term, with varying preparations and dosages, leading to moderate rather than strong evidence. Systematic reviews generally conclude that lemon balm appears to be safe and may have mild to moderate benefits for anxiety and related symptoms, but more robust, large-scale studies are needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing.

Thus, while lemon balm is justified for anxiety based on both traditional use and emerging scientific evidence, the scientific evidence is moderate (rated 3/5), and lemon balm should not be considered a replacement for established medical treatments in moderate to severe cases of anxiety.

More about lemon balm
More about Anxiety

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bergamot
beta caryophyllene
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cordyceps
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epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
gardenia
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
guayusa
hemp oil
hops
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-glycine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus paracasei
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lactobacillus reuteri
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melatonin
mint
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n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
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phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
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prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
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rhizome
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sceletium
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spearmint leaf
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Products containing lemon balm

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.