Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon balm
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) for Anxiety Disorders: Evidence Synopsis
Lemon balm has a long history of traditional use as a calming herb for nervousness and insomnia, but in recent years, several scientific studies have evaluated its efficacy for anxiety. The active compounds in lemon balm, such as rosmarinic acid, are believed to exert anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, possibly via modulation of GABA receptors in the brain.
Several small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have explored the effects of lemon balm extracts or preparations on anxiety and mood. For example, a 2004 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Kennedy et al., 2004) reported that a single dose of a standardized lemon balm extract reduced experimentally induced laboratory anxiety in healthy volunteers. Other studies have evaluated combinations of lemon balm with valerian, but these make it difficult to attribute effects solely to lemon balm. There is also limited evidence from studies in people with mild-to-moderate anxiety symptoms showing positive effects on subjective anxiety ratings.
However, these studies tend to be small in size, short in duration, and often focus on acute rather than chronic anxiety or clinical anxiety disorders. Systematic reviews conclude that while there is promising preliminary evidence, larger and more rigorous trials are needed to firmly establish efficacy for anxiety disorders. Overall, the scientific evidence is modest (rated 2/5), supporting lemon balm as a possible adjunct for mild anxiety but not as a primary treatment for diagnosed anxiety disorders.
Other ingredients used for Anxiety Disorders
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium longum
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
citrus oil
curcumin
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
green tea
hemp oil
inositol
kava root
l-glycine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus paracasei
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
motherwort
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
skullcap
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
shen-chu
St. John's Wort
herbal blend (proprietary)
cocoa
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Apigenin
Albizia
Aconite
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bacopin
Brahmi
Bacopa
bacoside
Clary sage
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Essential Oil Blend
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Vervain
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by lemon balm
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Gas and Bloating
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Migraine
Nervousness
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress