lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis L.., is a herbaceous perennial with oval and aromatic leaves. At summersmall white flowers bloom.
This simple grow from a seed in spring. There are many different varieties of lemon balm plants, including:
- golden
- citronella
- lemonella
- lime
- quedlinburger
- marbled
People can buy lemon balm tea at most grocery stores, drugstores, and online. People can also make it at home if they have access to a lemon balm plant.
To make lemon balm tea from the plant, a person should use the following instructions:
- Remove fresh leaves and rinse well.
- Place leaves on baking sheet until dry; people can store dried lemon balm for several months and still retain its flavor.
- Boil water and add dry leaves.
- Let them sit or soak for about 5 minutes and then add sugar or honey if you like.
Numerous studies discuss the benefits of lemon balm extract, oils, or capsules.
A 2016 study investigated the benefits of lemon balm tea made with lemon balm extract.
The researchers concluded that hot water extract of lemon balm leaf may provide health benefits to glycation-associated tissue damage in the blood vessels and skin of healthy adults. The damage associated with glycation is closely related to the appearance of various diseases and aging phenomena.
There may be some therapeutic uses for lemon balm, but the efficacy may change when a person consumes it as a tea made from dried lemon balm.
Additional studies are needed to better understand the potential benefits of lemon balm tea.
Lemon balm may offer some health benefits, which we describe below.
Improve mood and cognitive function
Research in 2021 suggests that lemon balm may benefit mood and cognitive performance. The study showed that lemon balm treatment led to improvements in tasks related to memory, concentration, and math.
The findings suggest that lemon balm may be effective in improving anxiety and symptoms of depression in some people. However, the researchers note that more high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of lemon balm. These findings also relate to lemon balm supplements, not lemon balm tea.
Another study also showed that chronic administration oflemon balm relieved stress-related effects. Further studies should incorporate a placebo and investigate markers of physiological stress.
help with insomnia
Eating lemon balm can help people experiencing insomnia or have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.
A 2021 study investigated the links between lemon balm and the benefits for postmenopausal people. The researchers concluded that they would recommend lemon balm to improve the quality of life of menopausal people with sleep disorders.
An additional of study also explored the effects of lemon balm in sleep disorders in people with chronic stable angina (CSA). The results showed that 8-week supplementation with Lemon balm can decrease depression, anxiety, stressand sleep disturbance in people who have CSA.
Other studies have found that lemon balm has positive effects on insomnia when combined with other herbs and nutrients. For example, IQP-AO-101 contains asparagus extract, saffron extract, lemon balm extract, vitamin C, Vitamin EY zinc.
The results of the clinical study show that IQP-AO-101 improvement sleep quality and well-being in people with moderate sleep disturbances and is well tolerated.
Support gastrointestinal health
People who experience frequent gastrointestinal discomfort may benefit from consuming lemon balm.
TO 2019 A study in rats showed that lemon balm decreased intestinal transit time, the time it takes for food to travel from the mouth through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
More research is needed to conclude how effective lemon balm is for the GI.
Helps relieve menstrual pain
menstrual crampsknown as dysmenorrhea, can be extremely painful for some people.
a study in 2017 showed that consuming lemon balm extract can help reduce moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. The researchers noted that this effect may be related to the antispasmodic effects of this herb: inhibit smooth muscle contractions in the GI tract.
May help with Graves’ disease
grave’s disease This is where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid. This causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones, known as hyperthyroidism.
a study in 2021 discussed how two people with Graves’ disease consumed bugleweed and lemon balm. Over time, both individuals had normal blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. However, further study of the antithyroid effects of lemon balm in humans is required to evaluate it as a therapy in Graves’ disease.
People with Graves’ disease should discuss the use of lemon balm as a therapeutic agent with their doctor before beginning regular use.
antioxidant potential
Lemon balm can act as a powerful antioxidant.
A review article highlights how this herb can decrease the amount of reactive oxygen species and may be helpful for people with:
Also investigate confirmed that Lemon balm extract has a high virucidal activity: the ability to destroy viruses. This extract was used by researchers against herpes simplex virus type 1what causes herpes labialis.
Read more about other health benefits of lemon balm.
Lemon balm tea is made from dried lemon balm leaves.
Some people use lemon balm to treat a number of conditions including anxiety, stress, insomnia, and cramps, but it’s not clear whether lemon balm tea will elicit the same response.
While more studies are needed to determine how lemon balm tea can help people, it appears that the tea is safe for most people to consume.
A person should consult their doctor if they have an underlying condition, such as a thyroid problem, before regularly consuming lemon balm tea.
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