Lemon Balm benefits

How Lemon Balm benefits were found?

Lemon balm is an easily growing perennial herb widely grows throughout the globe from North America to New Zealand. However, Europe, Central Asia, and Iran are native places of lemon balm. [1] Almost 2000 years back, medicinal use of lemon bark is recorded. German-Swiss Renaissance physician, Paracelsus had recognized the benefit of this herb in nervous system disorder and also helps to revive patients completely after suffering from many chronic illnesses. Many herbal medicine practitioners suggested that lemon-herb has memory-boosting property by providing a beneficial effect on brain tissues. [2]

There are many traditional medicinal applications of lemon balm that have been already documented such as sedative, fever controlling, carminative, memory booster, anti-microbial, hypotensive, antioxidant, antispasmolytic, respiratory health promoter, preventive measure for asthma, bronchitis, anti-ulcer, cardiac disease preventive, menstrual cycle regulator. It also an effective treatment for nausea, anemia, insomnia, depression, headache, nervousness, syncope, vertigo, colic, indigestion, malaise, psychosis, epilepsy, hysteria, and anemia.

What are the phytochemicals present in Lemon Balm?

There are mainly three categories of phytochemicals present in Lemon balm, including terpenes, phenolic compounds, and nitrogen compounds. There are six different varieties of essential oils are present in Lemon Balm, which includes citronellal, isogeraniol, geraniol acetate, nerol acetate, caryophyllene, and caryophyllene oxide. All together these essential oils called citral. [1] Rosmarinic acid is one of the primary phenolic acids ingredient present in Lemon Balm, which has many medicinal properties. [3]

What is the Mode of action of Lemon Balm health benefits?

The neurocognitive benefits obtained from Lemon Balm is due to modulation of cortisol responses. A certain dose of lemongrass is effective to reduce cortisol response and acts as mild sedative/anxiolytic. Lemon balm has a negligible effect on the cholinergic receptor, but it strongly binds with muscarinic and nicotinic receptors present in the nervous system, which improves cognitive functioning and memory performance. The mood-elevating effect of Lemon balm obtained by interacting with GABA-A receptors. [2]

Rosmarinic acid and citral impart antimicrobial property against bacteria, viruses, and fungus.
Interaction of Lemon Balm with muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors provides the antinociceptive effect.
The essential oil composition of this herb has anti-inflammatory properties.
The extract of Lemon Balm acts against lipid oxidation. The high phenolic compounds present in Lemon Balm can wipe out free-radicals. The potent antioxidant property of Lemon Balm reduces DPPH free radicals. It also has a cytoprotective effect which prevents DNA damage and maintains the cellular health of the nervous system. The potent antioxidant property also exerts an anti-cancer and cardio-protective effect. [1]

What are the different forms of Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm has different dosage forms including capsules, coated pills or applied topically. Lemon balm fortified beverages, yogurt also available in the market.

Uses of Lemon balm

Neurological benefits

Anti-stress

Neurological benefits of lemon balm are an effective remedy to relieve mental stress. The anxiolytic and calming effect of this herbal ingredient helps to reduce stress levels. A double-blind clinical trial reported that 600mg of lemon Balm is effective to treat increase calmness and alertness. However, a lower dose does not provide significant benefit. The anxiolytic property of lemon balm obtains by inhibiting the enzyme GABA transaminase. [2]

Insomnia

Sleep disturbance or insomnia is a common problem in this modern generation. Lemon balm is traditionally used as a sedative or tranquilizer effect. The stress-relieving the effect of Lemon Balm well-tolerated remedy to treat insomnia. A multicentre clinical study result reported treating children with Lemon Balm could relief restlessness and nervous dyskoimesis. [2] Herbal researchers found a combination therapy with Valariana increases sleep quality. [4]

Cognitive performance improvement

The treatment with Lemon balm significantly improves cognitive outcomes. This may be due to the reliving of stress and improvement of memory. [2]

Memory booster

An adequate dose of Lemon Balm acts as a memory booster. A research study also proved that treatment with lemon balm leads to improve memory scores. [2] Acetylcholine receptor agonist activity may responsible for memory boosting the property of Lemon balm and can be beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients also. [4]

Gastrointestinal benefits

Spasm relieving effect

Many of us experience abdominal spasm due to indigestion. Lemon balm improves digestion and also relief gripping abdominal pain. The German Commission E monograph enlisted Lemon balm for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Carminative

Flatulence, dyspepsia also common gastrointestinal tract disorder. Lemon balm is a good carminative and effective to release gas from the GI tract.

Colic treatment

Lemon balm is effective to treat colic due to its number of medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anxiolytic and sedative effects. Animal study and pediatric research both have proven that Lemon balm has colic relieving properties. The study conducted in infants showed that treatment with combination therapy of Lemon balm, chamomile, and Fennel extracts reduce 85.4% frequency of crying than the control group, which indicates, the Lemon balm has colic relieving property.

Antinociceptive property

The antinociceptive or pain-relieving effect of lemon balm is obtained as this herb interacts with the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway and also has an effect on muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The chemical alterations bring an antinociceptive effect. Citral present in Lemon Balm has a pain inhibitory effect.[1]

Antimicrobial property

Treat and prevent Herpes infection

The antiviral property of Lemon balm is effective to provide both curative and preventive effects against both herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2). The anti-microbial property of Lemon balm exerts anti-herpes simplex virus. Lemon balm is also treated with mild herpes simplex virus infection symptoms like itching, burning, swelling, tingling, erythema, stabbing, and tautness. Rosmarinic acid, caffeic, and ferulic acids are active ingredients effective to treat herpes simplex virus. The human trial result confirmed that the external application of Lemon balm formulation is beneficial for a patient suffering from herpes simplex virus infection. The antiviral property of Lemon balm against herpes simplex virus is comparable with acyclovir. [1]

Anti-fungal

Antifungal activity of Lemon balm significantly effective against Trichophyton species. [1]

Anti-bacterial

The essential oil present in Lemon balm has potent antibacterial activity against the multi-resistant strain of Shigellasonei.[1]

Anti-parasitic effect

Candida albicans is the most common yeast causing skin infection. Lemon balm has efficacy against this parasite and can cure skin infection caused by Candida albicans. [1]

Antioxidant

Nowadays, health-conscious people know the benefits of supplementation of antioxidants. The proper balance of antioxidant levels can prevent different metabolic disorders like a cardiac problem, diabetes, cancer, etc, and also has a preventive effect against neuro-degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Lemon balm and its bioactive phytochemicals have excellent antioxidant properties. [1]

Skin benefits

The antimicrobial and antioxidant property of Lemon balm is beneficial for skin health. Lemon Balm containing creams and ointments are available in the market. The application of these products prevents skin infection and skin aging symptoms. The potent antioxidant property of Rosmarinic acid present in lemon balm containing products can reduce skin thickening by inhibiting the production of intracellular keratinocytes and also enhances skin cell viability under oxidative stress. [3]

Thyroid Gland disorder

Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ diseases are occurred due to disorder. Both of these conditions may get benefits by using Lemon Balm. Researchers reported that this herbal product inhibits the TSH binding ability to plasma thyroid membranes. Another research result also reported this herb inhibits the binding of the specific immunoglobulins responsible for Graves’ disease. Also, Leon balm reduces the associated symptoms like insomnia, depression, etc.[4]

Lemon Balm Side effects

The safety parameters of Lemon Balm depend upon the dose of this herbal remedy. The intake of this herb in food amounts is likely safe. Short-term oral ingestion and external application of Lemon balm containing products are possibly safe for adults. Oral intake of Lemon balm may cause some side effects, like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, increased appetite, dizziness, and wheezing. Some patients complain of skin irritation and increased cold sore symptoms after the external application of Lemon balm containing topical products. [5]

When should I avoid Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm can cause sudden blood sugar lowering effect which can create a hypoglycemic condition of diabetic patients. Lemon balm should avoid 2 weeks before any surgical intervention, as it can cause extreme drowsiness. Lemon balm interferes with thyroid gland functioning and lowers the release of this hormone. Therefore, patients having hypothyroidism should avoid Lemon balm. Children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers should not use this herbal ingredient due to a lack of human trials in such conditions. [5]