Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb and member of the mint family. As part of the mint family, this herb has a pleasant lemony, citrusy, minty smell. And as common to many of the mint family plants, it has been used for several thousand years, as a culinary spice. The leaves are often used alone or in combination with other herbs, as tea.

While this plant may be popular for its flavor, it has been used in botanical medicine for several thousand years as part of healing combinations, salves, and supplements. Most commonly, it is used for mild digestive complaints and stomach upset and a variety of cramps and headaches. Lemon balm eases some nervous system symptoms related to tension and stress and anxiety of a daily life, and the restless sleeplessness commonly found today.

Lemon balm is part of Lithia Basic™ for a variety of other reasons, not just the calming effect that is found when using this herb in higher doses. Current studies attempt to understand it’s potential use in a variety of cognitive, immune, and neurological disorders.

References found here describe clinical trials using lemon balm to slow down the aging process and memory loss, all the way to dementia. Also being studied are the slowing down or reversal of cognitive changes that occur as we age. Lemon balm may well have a role in both neurological and inflammatory changes that are at play in the aging process. Also listed are references to studies designed to measure Lemon balm’s impact on the immune system, thereby impacting auto-immune disease as well as cancer growth.

While these effects are being studied in depth, different mechanisms of action seem to be at work. The plant contains numerous compounds that are anti-inflammatory and that may normalize the immune response. Other compounds, terpenes, network with receptors in the brain, which may lead to a calming effect on a restless, anxious mind. Also present are compounds that interact with receptors in the body like eugenol, which has pain relieving effect. Studies also show that Lemon balm compounds may slow down unwanted rapid cell division, via apoptosis.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose‚ treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor, or other qualified health care provider, before using any nutritional supplement discussed here, or before using these or any other product during pregnancy or lactation or if you have a serious medical condition.