Overview

Lemon balm is a plant called Melissa officinalis. The leaves of the plant are used to make dietary supplements, essential oils, and products that are applied to the skin. People use lemon balm for many different reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. When lemon balm is inhaled or swallowed, common side effects may include drowsiness. Applying it to your skin may cause redness, irritation, or burning. Before using lemon balm, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is lemon balm used for?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is commonly used for many different reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use lemon balm include the following.

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• To help manage stress
• To lower blood pressure or cholesterol levels

Note: The FDA has not reviewed lemon balm for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here. Learn more about essential oils and aromatherapy here.

How does lemon balm work (mechanism of action)?

Lemon balm is a plant called Melissa officinalis. Dietary supplements that contain lemon balm are made from the leaves of the plant. Some products that are inhaled or applied to the skin contain lemon balm leaves or an essential oil that is made from the leaves.

Lemon balm contains chemicals that can have effects on the body and brain. Some of these chemicals may change the way that the brain responds to acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This may help relax the body and cause sleepiness. Some studies have shown that taking lemon balm can help some people feel calmer. But it is not clear if it helps lower blood pressure or reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, or stress.

Lemon balm essential oil is sometimes inhaled as aromatherapy. This can be done in many ways, including through a diffuser or by placing a soaked cotton swab near your collar or pillow. Lemon balm essential oils contain different chemicals than lemon balm dietary supplements. Essential oils are made by heating up the leaves until certain chemicals, called volatile aromatic compounds, are released. These volatile aromatic compounds give off a distinctive lemon-like smell. The smell of lemon balm can be soothing for some people, which may help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress for a short time.

Some skin care products and salves contain lemon balm. Many of these products claim to help with acne and skin health. But the benefits of lemon balm for these uses are not well defined.

How should I store lemon balm?

You should store lemon balm according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lemon balm?

The most common side effects of lemon balm are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on how you are using lemon balm, the dose you are taking, or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Drowsiness (when taken by mouth)
• Redness, irritation, or burning (when applied to the skin)

There may be other side effects of lemon balm that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lemon balm?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lemon balm are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lemon balm may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using lemon balm and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use lemon balm?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use lemon balm.

• Bee balm
• Lemon balm
• Melissa officinalis
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lemon balm products they stock.

What should I know about lemon balm before using it?

Lemon balm is a dietary supplement and is also found in some skin care products. Lemon balm essential oil is available as aromatherapy. None of these products can be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep lemon balm out of the reach of children.

Lemon balm may affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how lemon balm affects you.

Some people use lemon balm for trouble sleeping (insomnia). If you have insomnia, it is important to make sure that you have the right sleeping conditions and good sleep-related habits. This is known as good sleep hygiene. Learn more about sleep hygiene here.

Lemon balm essential oil is for use on the skin or as aromatherapy only. Keep it away from your mouth and eyes. If you get it in your eyes, wash them right away with water. If you are using lemon balm essential oil on your skin, it should be mixed before use. Pure lemon balm essential oil can cause redness, irritation, and burning. Most products recommend mixing about one drop of lemon balm essential oil into one teaspoon (5 milliliters) of oil, cream, lotion, or shampoo. Follow the instructions on the product label.

Growing lemon balm plants in your yard may help keep some mosquitoes and other bugs away. This has led to some confusion about whether lemon balm can be applied to the skin as a mosquito repellent. Lemon balm is not usually recommended as a bug repellent. A different plant, called lemon eucalyptus, is commonly found in bug sprays and seems to be useful as a mosquito repellent. Do not confuse lemon balm with lemon eucalyptus. These plants have different effects and side effects.

The FDA has not tested lemon balm products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using lemon balm?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if lemon balm is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements.Lemon balm may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking lemon balm, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lemon balm could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if lemon balm passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does lemon balm interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between lemon balm and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect lemon balm. But drinking alcohol while taking lemon balm may increase your risk of drowsiness. Alcohol may also lower the quality of your sleep.

Does lemon balm interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking lemon balm.

• A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
• Any medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety

The interactions between lemon balm and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with lemon balm is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking lemon balm with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lemon balm?

If you or someone else has used too much lemon balm, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Lemon balm is available in many different forms, including as a dietary supplement, aromatherapy, and in products that are applied to the skin. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use lemon balm safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.