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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Lemon Balm

aka Melissa officinalis

Mild anxiolytic with cognitive calming effects via GABA-T inhibition.

Mood & AnxietySleep & RecoveryBrain & Cognitive

Overview

Mild anxiolytic with cognitive calming effects via GABA-T inhibition.

Natural sources
  • Melissa officinalis leaf
Common forms
  • Standardized extract

Forms & variants of Lemon Balm

Different chemical forms of Lemon Balm behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Stress dose
Lemon Balm (Stress)

Melissa officinalis for acute stress and cognitive performance.

Mechanism of action

Inhibits GABA transaminase, increasing GABA tone.

Pathways
  • · GABA-T inhibition

Effects on the body

Decreases
Anxiety
Supports
Calm focus

Organ system effects

Brain & CNS

Improves mood and accuracy on cognitive tasks.

Evidence-based benefits

Reduces stress and improves calm focus

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
    Rare
      Serious

        Drug interactions

        Sedatives
        Additive.
        minor
        Thyroid hormone
        Possible mild thyroid antagonism (historical).
        minor

        Safety & non-supplemental interactions

        Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

        Avoid if you are
        • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
        • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
        Avoid / monitor with these medications
        • ·Alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, sedating antihistamines (additive CNS depression)

        Supplement interactions

        Pairs well with

        None listed.

        Avoid combining with

        No specific avoidances listed.

        Dosing & bioavailability

        Typical dose
        300–600 mg standardized

        Where to buy

        Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

        Herb
        Lemon Balm
        Amazon
        Wide selection · fast shipping
        Herb
        Lemon Balm
        iHerb
        Global delivery · curated brands
        Herb
        Lemon Balm
        Thorne
        Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

        Scientific evidence (8)

        RCTMediterranean J Nutr Metab · 2011

        Melissa officinalis for anxiety and sleep

        Cases J, et al.

        15-day open trial of lemon balm extract.

        Key findings

        Reduced anxiety and insomnia symptoms.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Lemon Balm — Reduces stress and improves calm focus

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Lemon Balm Reduces stress and improves calm focus" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lemon Balm and "Reduces stress and improves calm focus". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Lemon Balm — randomized controlled trial

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Lemon Balm randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lemon Balm and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Lemon Balm — meta-analysis

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Lemon Balm meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lemon Balm and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Lemon Balm — pharmacokinetics

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Lemon Balm pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lemon Balm and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Lemon Balm — safety adverse events

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Lemon Balm safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lemon Balm and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Lemon Balm — dose response

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Lemon Balm dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lemon Balm and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

        Google Scholar: Lemon Balm — clinical evidence

        Live Scholar search

        Cross-database citation index for Lemon Balm as it relates to "clinical evidence".

        Key findings

        Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

        Open study
        Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.