Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon balm
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

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

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a long history of traditional use as a calming herb, often employed to address sleep disturbances and restlessness. In recent years, several scientific studies have investigated its effects on sleep. Clinical trials, although generally small and sometimes lacking rigorous controls, suggest that lemon balm, particularly when combined with other herbs such as valerian, may improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of insomnia and restlessness. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that a combination of valerian and lemon balm improved sleep quality in children with minor sleep disorders. Another study in adults reported reduced symptoms of insomnia and improved sleep metrics with lemon balm extract supplementation.

The proposed mechanisms for lemon balm's effects include its influence on GABAergic activity in the brain, which may promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, both factors that can contribute to disturbed sleep. However, most studies use lemon balm as part of a multi-herb formulation, which makes it difficult to attribute effects solely to lemon balm. Overall, while there is promising preliminary evidence supporting its use for sleep issues, larger and more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and clarify its independent effects.

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