Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm: Health Benefits & Side Effects

Commonly used to treat digestive issues, lemon balm, also known as common balm, can be found in grocery stores, farmer’s markets, compounding pharmacies, natural health stores, and pharmacies. Due to its ease of planting and low maintenance needs, it can also be cultivated at home.

This herb contains calming characteristics that can help you relax and improve your mood. It can also be used to treat digestive issues and reduce anxiety.

Although lemon balm is typically consumed as a tea or infusion, it is simple to incorporate into smoothies, desserts, or yogurt. For those wishing for more precise dosing, supplements are now available in pill and natural extract formats.

What is Lemon Balm

A native of Europe and well known for its various advantages, lemon balm is a member of the mint family. It features small, heart-shaped leaves that are bright green in color and clusters of white and yellow blooms that resemble the shape of mint leaves. It is planted for medical uses in addition to in gardens.

Since the Middle Ages, lemon balm has been used medicinally and is regarded as a relaxing herb. It is thought to aid in lowering stress and anxiety, promoting sleep, improving cognitive function, warding off viruses, and easing digestive symptoms. Today, lemon balm is frequently blended with other herbs to highlight its therapeutic properties. Due to its flavor, lemon balm can also be utilized in cooking.

Benefits

Fights cancer

It has been demonstrated that lemon balm kills cancer cells in the lethal brain tumour known as glioblastoma multiforme. Additionally, it has had a beneficial impact on various forms of liver, breast, and leukemia.

Fights the herpes virus

Although the herpes virus cannot be eradicated from the body, you can concentrate on preventing outbreaks by keeping the virus under control. Lemon balm helped people who had cold sores by reducing their frequency, length, and itching/pain. Additionally, the herb does not develop viral resistance over time, allowing for recurrent use.

Helps manage ADHD in children

For some schoolchildren, lemon balm decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity and increases focus, possibly as a result of its soothing impact.

Improves cognitive function and focus

A study of young adults who consumed lemon balm discovered that their mood and concentration levels had improved.

Treats insomnia

Lemon balm is thought to be calming and to have a little sedative effect that aids in sleep.

Calms anxiety

Many people claim that lemon balm helps them fight their struggle with anxiety, despite some studies from other sources that contradict this notion.

Treats diabetes

Studies have demonstrated that lemon balm oil or extract is helpful in lowering blood sugar levels, particularly for type 2 diabetes. It does not serve as an insulin substitute.

Natural antibacterial

Lemon balm has demonstrated remarkable efficiency against candida, a form of yeast that can cause brain fog, digestive problems, tiredness, and other symptoms, thanks to its capacity to combat a variety of microorganisms inside the body.

Treats heart palpitations

Although studies have indicated that lemon balm can help some people with episodes of palpitations, you should exercise caution if you want to use it to treat any type of heart rhythm disorder.

Lowers triglycerides

Lemon balm’s essential oil, Melissa, has been demonstrated to reduce triglycerides when taken aromatically, which means inhaled. This effect may have an effect on a number of other medical ailments.

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Reduces PMS symptoms

Lemon balm helped women in their teen years who were experiencing mood swings, weight gain, and bloating when taken orally as capsules.

Soothes constipation

While further research is needed, preliminary findings suggest that angelica root, peppermint, and lemon balm may be effective therapies for constipation.

Manages overactive thyroid

Lemon balm, sometimes known as Grave’s Disease, slows down an overactive thyroid by preventing some thyroid-stimulating chemicals from attaching to receptor cells.

Battles inflammation

Numerous disorders can be supported by chronic inflammation, which also makes the body hurt. There is evidence that lemon balm can reduce inflammation all over the body.

Possible side effects

Although there haven’t been any clinically documented negative effects to date, using it may interact with thyroid medications, so see your doctor before beginning. Additionally, we advise pregnant women to see their obstetricians before consuming this tea.

When taken for no more than 4 months by adults and 1 month by infants and children, lemon balm is safe. Additionally, this plant may result in nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, a slowed heartbeat, a reduction in blood pressure, and shortness of breath if ingested in large quantities or over an extended length of time.

Uses of Lemon Balm

A healthcare expert, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare practitioner, should evaluate each person’s supplement consumption on an individual basis. No dietary supplement is meant to treat, prevent, or cure any condition.

Rosmarinic acid, a substance found in lemon balm, is thought to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. While antimicrobials eliminate bacteria and viruses that cause infections, antioxidants assist prevent cell damage.

There has been little research on lemon balm’s possible use. There is NOT adequate evidence to support the use of lemon balm for any of these ailments due to the absence of human study, despite the fact that it has been examined for health conditions (such as cold sores, stomach distress, and Alzheimer’s disease) in lab and nonhuman animal studies.

Bottom Line

A member of the mint family, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a herb. It can be drunk as a tea, eaten as an extract or supplement, or used topically with balms and lotions. Although the research is limited, it has been investigated for its potential use in diseases of anxiety and sleep. More research on humans is required to assess lemon balm as a standalone supplement as opposed to in combination products.

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