Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[4, 6, 11, 12, 13]}

Antioxidant^{[4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13]}

Antispasmodic^{[6, 11, 12, 13]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Antiviral^{[4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13]}

Digestive aid^{[6, 11, 12, 13]}

Sedative / sleep support^{[1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[8, 11, 12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from antiviral action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[8, 11, 12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from antiviral action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from sedative action

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Caution

Generally very safe for adults. Theoretically may interact with thyroid medications and sedatives. Avoid high therapeutic doses during pregnancy. Long-term safety data beyond a few months is limited.

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry under 'Lemon Balm' or 'Melissa' in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

References

REF-1193, REF-1194, REF-1195, REF-1196, REF-1197, REF-1198, REF-1199, REF-1200, REF-1201, REF-1202

References & Sources

Mathews, I.M., Eastwood, J., Lamport, D.J., Cozannet, R.L. and others (2024) 'Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review', Nutrients, 16(20), pp. 3545. doi:10.3390/nu16203545 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203545
Ghazizadeh, J., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Marx, W., Fakhari, A. and others (2021) 'The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6690-6705. doi:10.1002/ptr.7252 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7252
Shahsavari, K., Shams Ardekani, M.R., Khanavi, M., Jamialahmadi, T. and others (2024) 'Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) consumption on serum lipid profile: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), pp. 146. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04442-0 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04442-0
Petrisor, G., Motelica, L., Craciun, L.N., Oprea, O.C. and others (2022) 'Melissa officinalis: Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Derived Release Systems-A Review', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(7), pp. 3591. doi:10.3390/ijms23073591 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073591
Heshmati, J., Morvaridzadeh, M., Sepidarkish, M., Fazelian, S. and others (2020) 'Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 34(12), pp. 3113-3123. doi:10.1002/ptr.6744 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6744
Shakeri, A., Sahebkar, A. and Javadi, B (2016) 'Melissa officinalis L. - A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 188, pp. 204-228. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.010
Zam, W., Quispe, C., Sharifi-Rad, J., Lopez, M.D. and others (2022) 'An Updated Review on The Properties of Melissa officinalis L.: Not Exclusively Anti-anxiety', Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar Edition), 14(2), pp. 16. doi:10.31083/j.fbs1402016 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbs1402016
Chang, J.Y., Balch, C., Puccio, J. and Oh, H.S (2023) 'A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus', Viruses, 15(6), pp. 1314. doi:10.3390/v15061314 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061314
Ulbricht, C., Brendler, T., Gruenwald, J., Kligler, B. and others (2005) 'Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 5(4), pp. 71-114. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source
Stojanovic, N.M., Mladenovic, M.Z., Maslovaric, A., Stojiljkovic, N.I. and others (2021) 'Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil and citronellal modulate anxiety-related symptoms - In vitro and in vivo studies', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 284, pp. 114788. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114788 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114788
Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
Find this source
Kennedy, D.O. et al (2002) 'Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis', 27(2), pp. 256--261. Randomized trial
Find this source
Petersen, M. and Simmonds, M.S.J (2003) 'Rosmarinic acid', 62(2), pp. 121--125. Traditional / reference
Find this source

Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio