Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon balm
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for its calming and sedative properties, particularly for addressing sleep disturbances and insomnia. Scientific evidence supporting lemon balm for insomnia is modest but present, primarily stemming from small clinical trials and animal studies. Some human studies have investigated lemon balm alone or in combination with other herbs such as valerian. For example, a few randomized controlled trials have found that preparations containing lemon balm and valerian may help improve sleep quality and reduce sleep latency, though these studies often suffer from small sample sizes, short durations, and variability in preparation dosages and formulations.
The proposed mechanisms for lemon balm’s effects on sleep involve its interaction with the GABAergic system. Compounds in lemon balm, such as rosmarinic acid, are thought to inhibit GABA transaminase, thereby increasing GABA levels in the brain and producing anxiolytic and sedative effects. This biological plausibility has been supported in some animal studies, but robust, large-scale human trials are lacking.
Overall, while traditional use is strong and some scientific studies provide preliminary support, the evidence is not yet sufficient to conclusively recommend lemon balm as a stand-alone treatment for insomnia. Further research with rigorous study designs is needed to clarify its efficacy and safety for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Insomnia
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ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
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heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
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Alpha-terpineol
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Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
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Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
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Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
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Sweet Orange alcohol
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walnut