Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon balm
For the health condition: Memory and Brain Function
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a history of traditional use for improving mood and cognitive function, but there is also some scientific investigation into its effects on memory and brain function. Several small-scale clinical studies have evaluated the acute effects of lemon balm extracts on cognitive performance and mood in healthy adults. For example, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study published in 2002 found that single doses of lemon balm extract (300, 600, and 900 mg) led to improvements in calmness and memory performance in young adults. Other studies have investigated the use of lemon balm in combination with other herbs for cognitive function, with mixed results. The proposed mechanisms include inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (leading to increased acetylcholine levels in the brain) and antioxidant effects. However, most studies have been short-term, used small sample sizes, and focused on acute rather than long-term effects. The evidence for its use in populations with diagnosed cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s disease) is limited and preliminary. While there is some scientific evidence suggesting that lemon balm may have modest cognitive-enhancing effects, especially in the short term, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is low. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to determine its effectiveness and safety for supporting memory and brain function.
Other ingredients used for Memory and Brain Function
2'-Fucosyllactoseacai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
beet
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
black currant
black garlic
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
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broccoli
caprylic acid
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
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choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish protein
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginkgo biloba
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
green tea
guarana
guayusa
hesperetin
huperzine A
inositol
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tyrosine
lactobacillus reuteri
lecithin
lion's mane
lutein
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maca
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marine lipid
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naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
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oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
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phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
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rutin
saffron
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
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spinach
spirulina
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
threonic acid
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
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vinpocetine
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
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ferulic acid
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ashitaba
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5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
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Apigenin
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Alpha glyceryl
Andrographolide
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Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Agarwood
Acacetin
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anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
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Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
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Bacopin
Baicalein
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Boswellia
Brahmi
Bacopa
Blue-Green Alage
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Carnosine
Catalpol
Chebulic acid
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cyanidin
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Catuaba
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Crocetin
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
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cola nut
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epicatechin
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glucose
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walnut
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