Health Benefits of Lemon Balm

Introduction

A perennial plant, part of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, is called lemon herb. It is usually native to south-central Europe and the Mediterranean regions, but recently it is also grown wild throughout the United States than the rest of the world. The plant usually grows up to 2 feet high and sometimes higher if not maintained. Clusters of small, light yellow flowers grow at a place where leaves meet the stem in the spring and summer seasons. Based on the soil and climate conditions, leaves are deeply wrinkled and range from dark green to yellowish green. A tart and sweet lemon-like smell will come from an individual's fingers when they rub it. The lemon balm leaves are similar to the shape of mint leaves which also arise from the same plant family.

How Should Individuals Take Lemon Balm?

In Pediatric Patients:

To treat cold sores in children, lemon balm is used topically. The healthcare provider will provide the appropriate dosage based on the child's age.

In Adults:

People with difficulty sleeping or decreased indigestion, bloating, or flatulence should consult an experienced healthcare provider for their specific dose. Some of the possible doses are:

1. Tincture: Daily 60 drops of lemon balm.

2. Topical: On the affected area, apply topical cream daily, three times as directed.

3. In tea: 1.5 to 4.5 grams of dried lemon balm herb should be soaked in hot water. Mix it well and drink it daily four times. Two to four tablespoons of crushed leaf is soaked in one cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes for cold or herpes sores. Cotton balls are applied with tea to the sores throughout the day for coolness.

What Precautions Should an Individual Take While Using Lemon Balm?

Herbs usage is a time-honored approach to treating the disease and strengthening the body. The components present in the herbs will trigger the side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, in botanical medicine, under the guidance of qualified healthcare providers, people should take herbs with care. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take lemon balm.

Interactions:

Some of the possible interactions of lemon balm with the following medications are:

Thyroid and Sedative Medications:

Sedatives and thyroid medications may interact with lemon balm. So if an individual takes sedatives or thyroid medication, ask the doctor before taking the lemon balm.

Medications for HIV:

Usually, there is no clear evidence to prove that lemon balm will interact with antiretroviral agents. So it will be best to avoid the lemon balm if they are taking medications for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

What Are the Health Benefits of Lemon Balm?

• Lemon balm is a popular herb with many true health benefits. These benefits will help to improve human clinical research.

• Lemon balm is one of the best herbs to reduce anxiety in people. Various studies prove that lemon balm will help improve sleep and reduce anxiety in individuals.

• When lemon balm is supplemented to 80 participants for an eight-week study, results show that patients experiencing sleeping issues and anxiety benefit. These benefits include improved sleep quality, sleep duration, and efficiency, and decreased depression, stress, and anxiety.

• The improved sleep quality and decreased anxiety and depression are the results of various studies conducted on hospitalized burn patients when given lemon balm to them twice per day.

• And also, it is proven by conducting several clinical studies that the treatment involving lemon balm in combination with other herbs results in improved sleep, anxiety, and depression.

• Cognitive Health May Give Support:

• Research shows that mood, calmness, and alertness are significantly improved through the intake of lemon balm.

• During the postpartum period, postpartum blues occurs, when the mother may experience depressive symptoms and low mood, leading to postpartum depression.

• When 500 mg (milligrams) of lemon balm was taken per day for ten days from the first day, the results showed an incidence of decreased postpartum blues in a clinical trial that examined 60 women with cesarean section.

• The most common form of dementia, with the sixth leading cause of death, is termed Alzheimer’s disease.

• The lemon balm extract showed notable improvements in brain function, like mood enhancement and decreased agitation, in participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in a four-month clinical study.

• The Colic Disease May Be Treated With Lemon Balm:

• Usually, colic disease results in an upset stomach or indigestion during the first three months of a baby's life, characterized as excessive and inconsolable crying.

• There are remarkable improvements in crying occurring in a study conducted on 88 breastfed colicky infants when given a herbal lemon balm extract, chamomile, and fennel within a week.

• Due to an antispasmodic effect of the herbs, these results are produced, which help to calm the stomach.

• The internal usage treats minor digestive problems of lemon balms, as indicated by the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP)

• Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes May Be Improved:

• Americans suffering from cardiovascular disease and diabetes are increasing nowadays.

• Various research studies show an improvement in blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health.

• When a twelve-week study on patients with type 2 diabetes using lemon balm per day, research shows results like significant improvement in laboratory biomarkers like HbA1c, triglycerides, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, serum fasting blood sugars, CRP (c-reactive protein), and systolic blood pressure.

• When clinical trials are conducted, lemon balm intake shows a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers report a 10 percent decrease in blood pressure.

• Overall anxiousness and frequency of palpitation are reduced when a study conducted on individuals experiencing benign heart palpitation is given 500 mg of lemon balm extract twice per day.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome May Be Reduced:

• A common gastrointestinal condition where people experience constipation, and diarrhea is called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also accompanied by abdominal pain and bloating.

• One of the best natural remedies for gastrointestinal disease is lemon balm usage.

• When a lemon balm is combined with spearmint and coriander thrice daily, a study on individuals diagnosed with IBS experiences much relief in abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating.

• Individuals with gastrointestinal complaints are cured using lemon balm as indicated by Germany’s Commission E and government health agency.

Antiviral Properties:

• An effective herb used to improve immune health is lemon balm.

• The antiviral activity of lemon balm essential oil on herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 is examined by an in vitro study. These findings result in the conclusion that antiviral activity is caused due to these two virus types.

• Influenza can be treated through lemon balm because the in vitro studies show it has antiviral activity, essential oils, and Tamiflu drugs.

• And the results confirm that influenza virus growth is inhibited effectively through lemon balm.

• The efficiency of Tamiflu is increased when this herb is used togetherly with it.

Antibacterial Properties:

Lemon balm is indicated as a beneficial herb to treat bacterial infections because a variety of lab-based studies proved it.

Conclusion

As lemon balm is safe to use, it is defined as a well-tolerated herb. Various mental health conditions are commonly treated by using this herb. Clinical research results show that it is favorable to reduce PMS symptoms, colic treatments, and supporting heart health. Consult the doctor before changing the diet or adding a new supplement to the routine.