Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)
Lemon Balm is an herb that is used for its calming/anxiety reducing effects.
Uses of Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a fairly popular supplement found in sleep aids.
Lemon Balm has been studied and shown to be effective for increasing calmness. For this reason, it can be great as an addition to any sleep aid, as it is quite common for some people to be kept up at night due to anxiety. In this study, it appears to be beneficial for people undergoing bouts of stress, as the subjects were shown to perform better under stress as well.
While not completely proven yet, Lemon Balm has been studied to be potentially effective for alertness, however this was shown at lower doses. In the same study, memory seemed to increase at a higher dose as well.
Interactions with Lemon Balm
You’ll typically find Lemon Balm found in Sleep Aids paired with ingredients such as L-Theanine, Valerian, Melatonin, Phenibut, and GABA.
Side Effects of Lemon Balm
Potential side effects with Lemon Balm include headache, nausea, dizziness, stomach pain, increase in body temperature, allergic reaction. Be sure to talk to your doctor before considering taking Lemon Balm.
Recommended Lemon Balm Dosage
According to a study, anywhere from 300mg-600mg is recommended. You can take this during times of stress or before bedtime.
Recommended Supplements Featuring Lemon Balm
The following products contain Lemon Balm at the recommended dosage, and are recommended supplements for Fitness Informant: