The Use of Lemon Balm in the Treatment of Mental Health
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Research has found lemon balm to be effective on treating a variety of mental health issues.
Lemon balm can significantly reduce anxiety levels in a variety of settings. Scientists at the University of Ottawa in Canada
discovered that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) can be beneficial for treating anxiety disorders because of its action on brain
gamma-aminobutyric acid levels.
Lemon balm is also used in combination with other herbs.
For example, the combination of lemon balm and valerian has also been tested, with positive results indicating significant anxiolytic effects.
One study determined that valerian taken 30 minutes before bedtime for 28 days was as effective as oxazepam (Serax), a commonly
prescribed medication for insomnia. In another study, a combination of valerian root and lemon balm at bedtime was as effective
as the sleeping drug triazolam (Halcion). Moreover, only the Halcion group felt hung over and had trouble concentrating the
following day. Another double-blind trial found a combination of valerian and lemon balm taken before bed improved sleep
quality in one-third of the participants.
Combining lemon balm with other mildly sedating herbs is common both in Europe and the United States. Chamomile, hops,
passion flower, valerian root, American scullcap, and catnip are often used as sleep remedies.
These herbs are used alone or in combination as mild sedatives for those suffering from insomnia.
In addition to valerian and hops, lemon balm is approved by the German government for relieving sleep disturbances.
A number of studies have shown benefits using lemon balm for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other types of dementia.
In a double-blind study, supplementation with an extract of lemon balm for 16 weeks improved cognitive function and reduced agitation,
compared with placebo, in people with AD.
One study found that lemon balm binds directly to both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in human brain tissue, thus reducing
agitation and cognitive declines in sufferers from AD and other dementias.
Lemon balm and preparations thereof also have shown to improve mood and mental performance. These effects are believed to involve
muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74: 863-6.
Awad R, Levac D, Cybulska P, Merali Z, Trudeau VL, Arnason JT. Effects of traditionally used anxiolytic botanicals on enzymes of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2007 Sep;85(9): 933-42.
Brown, Donald J. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health: Your Up-to-Date Guide to the Most Effective Herbal Treatments. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996.
Cerny A, Schmid K. Tolerability and efficacy of valerian/lemon balm in healthy volunteers (a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study). Fitoterapia 1999;70: 221-8.
Dos Santos-Neto LL, de Vilhena Toledo MA, Medeiros-Souza P, de Souza GA. The use of herbal medicine in Alzheimer's disease-a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2006 Dec;3(4): 441-5.
Izzo AA, Capasso F. Herbal medicines to treat Alzheimer's disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2007 Feb;28(2): 47-8.
Kennedy DO, Little W, Haskell CF, Scholey AB. Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa oficinalis and Valeriana oficinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytother Res 2006 Feb;20(2): 96-102.
Kennedy DO, Little W, Scholey AB. Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Psychosom Med 2004;66: 607-13.
Kennedy DO, Scholey AB. The psychopharmacology of European herbs with cognition-enhancing properties. Curr Pharm Des 2006;12(35): 4613-23.
Kennedy DO, Wake G, Savelev S, Tildesley NT, Perry EK, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties. Neuropsychopharmacology 2003 Oct;28(10): 1871-81.
Müller SF, Klement S. A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children. Phytomedicine 2006 Jun;13(6): 383-7.
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