How does lemon balm work to reduce anxiety?

Lemon balm contains active compounds, particularly rosmarinic acid and citral, that modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for calming neural activity. By enhancing GABAergic transmission, lemon balm produces gentle anxiolytic effects without the sedation associated with stronger pharmaceuticals. It also inhibits acetylcholinesterase, supporting cognitive function. Evidence level: B.

Does lemon balm interact with medications?

Lemon balm may interact with sedative medications including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sleep aids, potentially causing excessive drowsiness. It may also interfere with thyroid hormone medications and should be avoided by individuals with thyroid conditions. Due to its sedative effects, discontinue lemon balm at least two weeks before scheduled surgery. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence level: C.

How much lemon balm should I take for anxiety?

Clinical studies for anxiety typically use 300-600mg of standardized lemon balm extract daily. For tea, steep 1.5-4.5 grams of dried herb in hot water for 5-10 minutes, consuming 2-4 cups daily. Start with lower doses to assess individual tolerance. Effects are generally mild and cumulative, so consistent daily use over several weeks may provide optimal benefits. Evidence level: B.

Is lemon balm safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Lemon balm is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when consumed in culinary amounts. The Botanical Safety Handbook classifies it as safe when used appropriately. However, medicinal doses should only be taken under healthcare provider supervision, as clinical data for high-dose supplementation during pregnancy remains limited. Traditional use over centuries has not revealed significant safety concerns. Evidence level: Traditional.

Can lemon balm help treat cold sores?

Yes, lemon balm demonstrates antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Topical preparations containing 1% lemon balm leaf extract, applied 3-4 times daily at the first sign of symptoms, may reduce healing time, itching, and tingling. Some evidence suggests regular application may decrease outbreak frequency. Look for standardized creams or ointments formulated specifically for cold sore treatment. Evidence level: B.

Balm citronné (Melissa officinalis)

Qu'est-ce qu'une interaction plante-médicament ?

Une interaction plante-médicament se produit lorsqu'une plante ou un complément modifie l'action d'un médicament dans votre organisme — en le rendant plus puissant, moins efficace, ou plus susceptible de provoquer des effets nocifs. Les plantes contiennent des composés actifs qui peuvent accélérer ou ralentir les enzymes et transporteurs utilisés pour métaboliser les médicaments.

Pourquoi c'est important

Millepertuis peut rendre la contraception, les antidépresseurs et les anticoagulants moins efficaces.

Ail peut augmenter le risque de saignement avec la warfarine et autres anticoagulants (aussi ginkgo, gingembre et curcuma).

Kava peut amplifier la sédation avec les médicaments contre l'anxiété ou le sommeil (aussi la valériane).

Le risque est plus élevé chez les personnes âgées, ceux qui prennent plusieurs médicaments et les personnes atteintes de maladies chroniques.

Indiquez toujours à votre médecin et à votre pharmacien toutes les plantes et compléments que vous prenez — et vérifiez ci-dessous avant toute association.

Interactions Médicamenteuses Connues (2)

2 Modéré

Médicament	Sévérité	Description
Thyroid medications (Levothyroxine)	Modéré	Le geniments jaunes interagissent avec la tamoxifène en cas de dépendance aux hormones.
Sedatives and Barbiturates	Modéré	La Lemon balm peut renforcer les effets sédatifs des barbituriques et d'autres dépresseurs du système nerveux central.

Cette liste reflète un sous-ensemble sélectionné d'interactions documentées et n'est pas exhaustive. L'absence d'un médicament ici ne prouve pas qu'il est sans danger à combiner. Confirmez toujours auprès d'un pharmacien ou d'un professionnel de santé.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 38 articles PubMed · modèle : glm-5.2

Résumé

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and essential oil, with pharmacological effects spanning anxiolytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and cardiometabolic domains [PMID:35408950, PMID:35730441].

Contexte

Melissa officinalis L. is a perennial aromatic herb of the Lamiaceae family, native to the east Mediterranean and west Asian regions, now cultivated widely, and has long been used in European and Iranian Traditional Medicine for the treatment of several diseases [PMID:38381912, PMID:27167460, PMID:33967832].

Usages traditionnels

Lemon balm has been used in traditional medicine for nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, menstrual irregularities, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular conditions, neurological and psychological conditions, and as a digestive, carminative, antispasmodic, sedative, analgesic, tonic, and diuretic agent [PMID:38381912, PMID:35730441, PMID:27620926, PMID:27167460].

Composés actifs

The main active constituents include volatile compounds (geranial, neral, citronellal, geraniol), triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid), phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid), flavonoids (quercetin, rhamnocitrin, luteolin), tannins, and essential oil [PMID:35408950, PMID:33967832, PMID:40927050].

Mécanisme d'action

Pharmacological evidence from animal and cellular work reveals that lemon balm and its components may modulate several brain signalling pathways, including GABAergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic systems; rosmarinic acid modulates gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activity, which may underpin its effects on sleep quality and psychological well-being [PMID:39458539, PMID:39683592, PMID:41226605]. The plant also exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, and antinociceptive effects [PMID:35730441].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve AAnxiety and Depression

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that lemon balm significantly improved mean anxiety and depression scores compared with placebo (SMD: -0.98; 95% CI: -1.63 to -0.33; p=0.003 for anxiety; SMD: -0.47; 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.21; p=0.0005 for depression), without serious side effects [PMID:34449930].

Preuve BAnxiety in Hemodialysis Patients (Aromatherapy)

A randomized clinical trial showed that Melissa officinalis essential oil inhalation aromatherapy (3 times/week for one month) significantly reduced anxiety and symptom burden in hemodialysis patients compared to control [PMID:40082838].

Preuve BMood and Cognitive Function

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studies demonstrated that standardized M. officinalis preparations in beverage and yoghurt forms were generally associated with improvements in mood and/or cognitive performance in healthy young adults [PMID:25360512].

Preuve BSleep Quality

A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study found that a Melissa officinalis standardized extract formulated as Phytosome (MOP) significantly reduced ISI (Insomnia Severity Index) scores, with an average reduction of 6.8 ± 4, supporting its role in improving sleep quality [PMID:39683592].

Preuve A

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Lemon balm extracts are generally recognized as safe and have not been linked to serum aminotransferase elevations during treatment or to instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury [PMID:38381912]. A toxicological safety evaluation including genotoxicity tests and a 90-day repeated dose oral toxicity study in rats confirmed that aqueous lemon balm extract is not genotoxic at concentrations up to 5000 µg/plate or 5000 µg/mL [PMID:38461950]. However, a case report describes a 30-year-old patient who presented with restlessness, tremor, distractibility, and sweating following discontinuation of Melissa officinalis consumption, suggesting possible withdrawal symptoms related to dependence from long-term use [PMID:25870482].

Grossesse et allaitement

Lemon balm is a purported galactogogue with some weak supporting evidence of galactogogue activity; no data exist on the excretion of any components of lemon balm into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of lemon balm alone in nursing mothers or infants, though it has been safely and effectively used with other herbs in infants for colic, diarrhea, and other conditions [PMID:30000901].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence base for lemon balm includes multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses (Level A) supporting its anxiolytic, antidepressant, and cardiometabolic effects, several randomized controlled trials (Level B) demonstrating benefits for mood, cognition, sleep quality, anxiety in hemodialysis patients, and skin antiwrinkle effects, and numerous reviews (Level C) summarizing preclinical and clinical evidence for antiviral, neuroprotective, and cognitive applications. Overall, the strongest clinical evidence supports its use for anxiety, depression, and sleep-related outcomes, though heterogeneity in preparations and standardization limits comparability across studies [PMID:41754356].

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 35408950 (2022) — Melissa officinalis: Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Derived Release Systems-A Review. · International journal of molecular sciences
2.PMID: 38381912 (2012) — A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus. · Viruses
3.PMID: 39458539 (2024) — Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review. · Nutrients
4.PMID: 34449930 (2021) — The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
5.PMID: 27167460 (2016) — Melissa officinalis L. - A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Balm citronné

Sources et citations

Chamomile

Hops

Lemon Balm Toronjil

2 interactions médicamenteuses connues — Certaines peuvent être graves

Contre-indications

Effets secondaires possibles

Qu'est-ce qu'une interaction plante-médicament ?

Interactions Médicamenteuses Connues (2)

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Grossesse et allaitement

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Balm citronné

Sources et citations

Plantes associées

Chamomile

Hops

Lemon Balm Toronjil

2 interactions médicamenteuses connues — Certaines peuvent être graves

Contre-indications

Effets secondaires possibles

Qu'est-ce qu'une interaction plante-médicament ?

Interactions Médicamenteuses Connues (2)

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Grossesse et allaitement

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales