- Mental Health and Cognitive Function: Reduces Anxiety and Stress: Lemon balm has calming effects and can help lower anxiety and nervousness. Studies suggest it may increase levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation in the brain. It can also improve feelings of calmness and ease during stressful situations. stress.
- Improves Mood: Research indicates that lemon balm extract can positively influence mood and may help alleviate symptoms of depression in mild cases, possibly by boosting serotonin levels.
- Enhances Cognitive Function and Memory: Lemon balm may improve cognitive abilities such as memory, learning, and focus. Some studies suggest it can enhance memory performance and increase alertness. It might also have potential benefits for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by improving cognitive function and reducing agitation, although more research is needed.
- Promotes Sleep and Helps with Insomnia: Lemon balm, especially when combined with other calming herbs like valerian, chamomile, and hops, can help improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia. It may help individuals fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
- Eases Digestive Problems: Lemon balm may help relieve gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, indigestion, and colic. It has antispasmodic properties that can calm spasms in the GI tract and may also have gastro-protective and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Heals Cold Sores: Topical ointments containing lemon balm extract have been shown to help heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). It can reduce redness and swelling and may shorten the healing time of outbreaks by preventing the virus from multiplying.
- Relieves Menstrual Pain (Dysmenorrhea): Studies suggest that lemon balm extract may help reduce the severity of menstrual symptoms like cramps and fatigue due to its antispasmodic effects.
- Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Lemon balm contains compounds like rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, and other antioxidants that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and combat inflammation. These properties may contribute to various health benefits, including protecting against cellular damage.
- Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Effects: Lemon balm has natural properties that can help prevent the growth of bacteria and may be effective against certain bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. This can be beneficial for skin health and preventing infections in minor wounds.
- May Benefit Cardiovascular Health: Some research suggests that lemon balm may have cardioprotective benefits by helping to improve blood pressure and heart rate, as well as cholesterol levels. However, more research in humans is needed to confirm these effects.
- May Help with Graves’ Disease: Lemon balm has been shown to have anti-thyrotropic activity, which may be beneficial in the treatment of hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease by interfering with the binding of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins to thyroid receptors.
Important Considerations
- While generally safe for most people, high doses of lemon balm may cause reduced alertness.
- Lemon balm may interact with sedative medications and thyroid hormone. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you are taking any medications or have any underlying health conditions before using lemon balm supplements.