Remedy · herb
Lemon balm
Also: Melissa officinalis
A calming mint-family herb with modest trial support for anxiety.
Active compounds Rosmarinic acid
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Lemon balm and that condition specifically.
- CAnxiety & stress
Pooled trials show a significant reduction in anxiety versus placebo, but the estimate is imprecise and based on few, small, heterogeneous studies.
2 citation s
- The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis Meta-analysis 2021 · Phytotherapy Research · PMID 34449930 · DOI 10.1002/ptr.7252
- The effects of Melissa officinalis on depression and anxiety in type 2 diabetes patients with depression: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial Randomized trial 2023 · n=60 · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · PMID 37131158 · DOI 10.1186/s12906-023-03978-x
- The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- CCold sores
A standardized topical lemon balm cream eased cold-sore symptoms and sped healing versus placebo in two small trials of one extract.
1 citation
- Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring herpes labialis Randomized trial 1999 · n=66 · Phytomedicine · PMID 10589440 · DOI 10.1016/s0944-7113(99)80013-0
- Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring herpes labialis
Lemon balm is a gentle, well-tolerated calming herb. The trial evidence for anxiety is genuinely positive but limited — few small studies with high variability — so it is a reasonable mild option rather than a proven treatment.