Lemon Balm (Melissa) Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects Supplement Information and Usage Guide

Lemon Balm is used to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented herb in the mint family traditionally used to promote relaxation and mental clarity. It has a long history of use in European herbal medicine.

The leaves contain compounds such as rosmarinic acid and flavonoids, which may support calmness, digestive comfort, and sleep quality. Lemon balm is often used in teas, tinctures, or capsules.

Lemon balm is commonly taken for stress relief, sleep support, and cognitive focus. Some studies support its calming effects, though more clinical research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.

Other names & forms of Lemon Balm (Melissa) supplement : melissa officinalis, lemon balm, melissa extract

Benefits

Lemon balm offers multiple health benefits, particularly for calming the nervous system, reducing anxiety, and improving focus:

• Helps soothe the nervous system and reduce anxiety-related symptoms, contributing to Nervous System & Stress Relief.
• May improve sleep quality and duration, supporting Sleep Support.
• May ease digestive discomfort and bloating, linking to Digestive Health.

Dosage

The dosage of Lemon Balm (Melissa) supplement can vary based on personal requirements and recommendations:

• Stress and sleep support: 300–600 mg/day of Lemon Balm extract (standardized to 5% rosmarinic acid).
• Anxiety or digestive use: Up to 1200 mg/day in divided doses.
• Tea form: 1.5–3 grams of dried leaves steeped 2–3 times/day.
• Recommendation: Best taken in the evening for calming effects.

Side Effects

When you take Lemon Balm, its calming effects may come with a few mild reactions as your body adjusts. Keep an eye out for:

• Temporary drowsiness or mild sedation, especially if taken in higher doses
• Possible stomach upset—nausea or mild cramping—if taken on an empty stomach
• Occasional headache or dizziness in sensitive individuals
• Rare allergic reactions—rash or itching—in those sensitive to mint family plants
• Occasional increased appetite due to its soothing, anxiety-reducing effects

Interactions

Possible interactions include:

• Sedatives and anxiolytics: Lemon Balm’s GABAergic activity may enhance the effects of benzodiazepines or Valerian, leading to increased drowsiness and dizziness.
• Thyroid medications: Some constituents may mildly inhibit thyroid function; if you take levothyroxine, monitor thyroid panels to ensure proper dosing.
• Thyroid receptor antagonists: Combined use with supplements like Ashwagandha that support thyroid may require dose adjustment; consult your provider.
• Antihypertensive agents: Lemon Balm can lower blood pressure slightly; when used with ACE inhibitors or L-Arginine, watch for hypotension.

Precautions

Before adding Lemon Balm to your routine, confirm you’re not in any of these cautionary categories. If you are, consult your healthcare provider:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Limited safety data on high-dose use; use under medical supervision
• Individuals taking thyroid medications: May interact with thyroid function; monitor thyroid levels closely
• People on sedatives or CNS depressants: Can enhance sedative effects; use cautiously
• Those with low blood pressure: May cause slight drops in blood pressure; monitor levels if hypotensive
• Patients scheduled for surgery: May interact with anesthesia and sedatives; discontinue at least two weeks prior

Studies

This article was originally published on Stackbb.com, your trusted source for science-based supplement guides.