Description
Lemon balm is an aromatic herb, known for its citrus scent and soothing properties.
Possible Benefits
- May improve your mood
- May decrease anxiety level
- May help you relax
- Antioxidant
- May improve digestion
- May help you fight some infections
- May protect cognitive function
Required Equipment
Lemon Balm
How to Do It
An easy way to consume this herb is in an infusion. Boil water, pour boiled water into a cup, add some lemon balm leaves, and drink. Add some sugar or honey if you prefer.
You can also prepare it as an iced tea.
Why it works
- Lemon balm contains a high amount of rosmarinic acid, which has been shown to have mood-enhancing and anxiolytic properties.
- It contains gallic acid, a component that reduces acid production in the stomach and fights inflammation in the digestive tract.
- It has been shown to be effective in fighting the onset of some viruses and bacterial infections. But its effect seems to be moderate.
Time Commitment
5-10 minutes
Suggested Frequency
2-3 times per week
Time of Day
Any
Very useful before bedtime
Possible Side Effects
Headache, nausea, increased body temperature.
Tips
- Look for fresh lemon balm at a nearby market
- You can easily grow this herb at home!
- You can also find lemon balm in essential oil
- Apply the essential oil on your skin to soothe quickly
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Pharmacological effects of gallic acid in health and diseases: A mechanistic review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528712/
- Melissa officinalis L: A Review Study With an Antioxidant Prospective. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871149/
- Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) extract in rats: Influence of administration and gender. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326910/
- Neurocognitive effects of herbal extracts. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781845697525500119
- Functional foods and cognition. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781845696900500126
