Research · Meta-analysis
The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis
What it found
Lemon balm significantly improved anxiety (SMD ≈ −0.98) and depression versus placebo with no serious adverse effects, but high heterogeneity means the estimate is imprecise.
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Year
- 2021
- Population
- patients with anxiety or depressive symptoms (RCTs to Oct 2020)
- Intervention
- oral lemon balm preparations vs placebo
- Outcome
- anxiety and depression symptom scores
- Journal
- Phytotherapy Research
Citation last checked 2026-06-21.