Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

CAM (GABA, acetylcholine)

  • Sleep quality2
  • Subthreshold depression and anxiety in medical illness (IBS, diabetes-II, and cardiac disease)2
  • Stress-related symptoms in healthy adults3
  • Menopausal insomnia and physical symptoms3

Features

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Handout

Dosing

Insomnia: 400 mg qhs

Depression/anxiety: 500-3000 mg qhs

Management

Well tolerated.

The active ingredients are hydroxycinnamic acids (cinnamic, coumarin, ferulic, chlorogenic, and rosmarinic acids), triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids

EMR Text

Sleep quality

Lemon balm recommended based on multiple randomized trials where it improved sleep quality in various populations (Di Pierro F et al, Nutrients. 2024;16(23):4199).

Risks and benefits of lemon balm reviewed with patient.

Stress and sub-threshold depression/anxiety

Lemon balm recommended based on multiple randomized trials where it improved symptoms of stress and subthrehold depression/anxiety in various populations (eg, Azimi M et al, Explore (NY). 2024;20(6):103013; Taavoni S et al, Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19(4):193-196).

Risks and benefits of lemon balm reviewed with patient.

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