Lemon Balm: Benefits for the Mind and Body

Do you ever feel so extra tired that your mind starts shutting down but it still struggles to fall asleep? Essential neurotransmitters in your brain may need to be regulated with a citrusy touch! Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a powerful herb that supports and soothes your nervous system, without the groggy feeling that you may have previously felt after taking sedatives to achieve restful sleep. Lemon balm also works wonders beyond the mind, as it can help nurture healthy microbial balance in the gut. This blog post uncovers the wonders of lemon balm for your health, helping you determine whether this magical garden herb should be added to your daily regimen!

What is Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family which has been used by many cultures to help manage stomach problems, reduce stress, enhance mood, heal wounds, and manage skin problems. Because of its wide array of health benefits, different preparations of lemon balm are available today! Lemon balm can be found as one of the ingredients of your favorite teas, skincare products, essential oils, supplements, and tinctures!1
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Botanical Profile

Lemon balm is rich in active components, such as rosmarinic acid and flavonoids, that boost it with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to nurture your body and simultaneously prevent unnecessary, harmful stress.1 Ursolic and oleanolic acids, which are abundantly present in lemon balm, exert anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects that can help protect you against infections from the outside environment and microorganisms that naturally inhabit the body.1

The Benefits of Lemon Balm

1. Restful Sleep. The calming power of lemon balm stems from its direct interaction with the brain’s neurotransmitters, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which plays a very important role in calming the entire nervous system. One of lemon balm’s major components, rosmarinic acid, inhibits the enzyme that breaks down GABA! Higher levels of GABA in the brain can help nurture relaxation and tranquility.1 It works similarly to benzodiazepine, but with the gentle touch of nature. Through nurturing GABA levels in the brain, lemon balm can help promote deep and restorative sleep without the side effects of conventional sleeping pills.1 
2. Memory Power. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is very important in keeping you alive and healthy because it helps control muscle function, learning, memory, and even your heart beat! Lemon balm inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that breaks down this powerful neurotransmitter.1 By inhibiting this enzyme, lemon balm can help regulate acetylcholine levels in the brain, thereby helping to nurture your brain’s abilities to remember and learn! 
3. Gut Health. The health power and fragrance of lemon balm is not only limited to the brain, as it is also a powerhouse for your digestive system. Lemon balm can nurture the population of your gut microbiota through exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidative effects.1 As an antimicrobial, lemon balm helps fight and filter out harmful bacterial strains, preventing these pathogens from dysregulating the gut flora and damaging microbial balance.1 Interestingly, lemon balm also acts as a prebiotic, nurturing the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This means that lemon balm not only fights off harmful pathogens, but also nurtures the good inhabitants! The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of lemon balm can help protect the gut against oxidative stress, preventing the development of unwanted inflammation and disorders that can harm the integrity of your gut.1​​

Lemon Balm
​Tincture

Kids: Alcohol-free Tincture

Support Lower
​Stress Levels

Safety and Considerations

Lemon balm is a safe and effective herbal remedy to nurture the health of the general population, without major adverse effects associated with its use. However, its components and target pathways may cause significant effects to special populations, such as pregnant women, lactating women, and people with other comorbidities (coexisting health conditions). It is important to remember that consulting your healthcare provider or naturopathic doctors should be done first before using lemon balm, as well as other herbal preparations, to make sure it is safe and will not cause harmful effects when combined with other medications or supplements you may be taking to nurture your health.
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The Naturopathic Approach

Lemon balm is a powerful plant that proves the wonderful resources that nature can offer to nurture your optimal health. Its abilities to fight off inflammation, nurture essential neurotransmitters in the brain that keep vital functions in check, and promote microbial balance in the gut make it a powerhouse that may just be right for your special health concerns and preferences. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors will help you discover the wonders of nature in supporting your body’s abilities to heal itself and function optimally. Talk to us today!

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​This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. 

​Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.

REFERENCE:

1. Mathews IM, Eastwood J, Lamport DJ, Cozannet RL, Fanca-Berthon P, Williams CM. Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review. Nutrients. 2024;16(20):3545. Published 2024 Oct 18. doi:10.3390/nu16203545

Author

Kate Nemenzo's passion for holistic health has led her to become a registered nurse who promotes optimal care throughout her patient’s therapeutic journey. When not writing, she spends her time crocheting, watching Korean dramas, and playing the guitar!