Lemon balm and the benefits of natural lemon balm oil
Lemon balm oil has traditionally been used to improve mood and cognitive function, but the potential benefits do not stop there, as lemon balm is considered to have possible healing powers. Lemon balm oil contains substances with a sedative and calming effect. Furthermore, lemon balm has the capacity to eliminate certain bacteria. Lemon balm oil can be successfully used to reduce anxiety, stress, insomnia, and indigestion; it is useful in cases of dementia and many other conditions. However, it cannot replace medical treatment.
Table of Contents
- Nine benefits of lemon balm oil
- Safe use of essential oils
- Potential drug interactions
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented plant that comes from the same family as mint. The plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, but it is cultivated all over the world. Records regarding its use date back over 2,000 years, with entries in Historia Plantarum (approx. 300 BC) and Materia Medica (approx. 50-80 AD). Medicinal use during this early era includes a recommendation by Paracelsus that the balm would invigorate the body's condition, having an effect especially on the nervous system.
Traditionally, lemon balm has been used as a mild sedative and anxiolytic, although several pharmacies of that time created balm with general beneficial effects on the brain and, in particular, specific improvements to memory. The supposedly biologically active compounds in Melissa officinalis include monoterpenoid aldehydes (including citronellal, neral, and geranial), flavonoids, and polyphenolic compounds, such as rosmarinic acid and monoterpene glycosides (Source).
1. Nine benefits of lemon balm oil
Lemon balm may help relieve stress
Lemon balm oil soothes symptoms caused by stress, helps you relax, and improves your mood.
A 2024 study (Source) found that the administration of lemon balm eased the negative mood effects of laboratory-induced psychological stress. Participants who were treated with lemon balm oil self-reported an increased sense of calm and a reduction in feelings of alertness.
Although this was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, it had a small sample size of 18 people. Further research is needed to detail these findings.
Reducing anxiety with the help of lemon balm
Lemon balm oil can also be used to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Research published in 2014 (Source) analyzed the effects on mood and cognitive effects of foods containing lemon balm. The supplement was mixed into a drink and yogurt, along with natural or artificial sweeteners. Participants in both groups reported positive effects on various aspects of mood, including reduced levels of anxiety.
Although this is promising, more research is needed to truly determine its efficacy.
Boosting cognitive function
The same study (Source) also looked at the effects of lemon balm oil in improving cognitive function. Participants were asked to perform cognitive tasks involving memory, math, and concentration. The results of these computerized tasks suggest that participants who used lemon balm oil performed better than those who did not.
Although these participants recorded an increase in alertness levels and performance, it is still possible for fatigue to set in over time. Combining lemon balm with food also affects its absorption rate, which could have had an impact on its efficacy. In this case, too, further research is required.
Relieving insomnia and other sleep disorders
The combination of lemon balm and valerian can help relieve restlessness and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Researchers found that people who used both lemon balm oil and valerian recorded a 70 to 80% improvement in symptoms. (Source)
It may help relieve indigestion
If you deal with frequent abdominal pain and discomfort, lemon balm may have a positive effect on your digestion. A small 2010 study (Source) evaluated the effects of a cold dessert containing lemon balm extract on functional dyspepsia. Participants ate a sorbet, with or without the herb, after a meal. Although both types of desserts diminished symptoms and their intensity, the dessert containing lemon balm intensified this effect.
It may help treat nausea
Given its potential impact on the digestive system, lemon balm may also help relieve the sensation of nausea. Many of the studies analyzed lemon balm used in conjunction with other herbs. Further research is needed to determine the plant's efficacy when used alone. (Source)
It may help minimize menstrual cramps
There is also research suggesting that lemon balm oil can be used to relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. (Source)
It may help relieve headaches
Lemon balm oil can also be useful in treating headaches, especially if they occur as a result of stress. Its relaxing properties can help you release tension and relax your muscles.
It may help diminish toothaches
The pain-relieving properties of lemon balm oil can make it an ideal choice for toothache relief. In addition to relying on its relaxing properties, it is believed that this home remedy targets inflammation in the body. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
2. Safe use of essential oils
Most essential oils are safe and free of side effects when used correctly. However, as with any substance you introduce into the body, it is important that they are used intelligently. It is recommended never to ingest essential oils. Also, attention must be paid to the following factors.
Correct dosage
Dosage is the most important factor in the safety of essential oils, including lemon balm. Essential oils used in incorrect doses or in too high a concentration (in animal and laboratory studies) contribute to tumor development and other harmful changes in the body. Some essential oils can even be harmful to the skin, liver, and other organs if used improperly.
Purity of the substance
Sometimes, essential oils are modified by adding synthetic chemicals or other essential oils with a similar scent, or they are sometimes diluted with vegetable oil. Always identify the section that indicates purity on the label. It is not necessarily bad if the label indicates, for example, that the bottle contains 20% essential oil and 80% vegetable oil. This is sometimes done so that popular but expensive oils, such as rose or neroli, can be made more affordable.
Klintensiv Tip: Choose to use only natural oils, obtained from safe sources, so that you can enjoy all the benefits of lemon balm.
Method of application
An essential oil that is safe when applied in one way may not be safe when used in another way. Some oils are considered safe if inhaled and yet can be irritating if applied to the skin in concentrations of up to 3-5%. Thyme, oregano, clove, and cinnamon bark essential oils are examples of this. Some of the citrus oils, such as bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, and angelica, can cause phototoxicity if there is exposure to natural sunlight or solar radiation following skin application, while this would not result from inhalation.
Klintensiv Tip: Make sure to identify the recommended application method and concentration for the essential oil and the intended use. And once again, do not ingest oils without professional guidance.
3. Potential drug interactions
There is little published research on the interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and essential oils. However, given the complex chemistry of essential oils, it is logical that this is possible or even likely.
Allergic reactions
A small proportion of people may experience skin irritation, allergic reactions, or cross-sensitivity to essential oils. Cross-sensitivity is the potential for an allergic reaction to similar substances (e.g., if you are allergic to ragweed, you might also be allergic to chamomile essential oils).
Irritation is characterized by rapid-onset redness and pain in the skin exposed to the essential oil. It can occur upon first exposure. The skin generally heals without long-term problems, but you would likely not want to use the essential oil that caused the irritation again.
Some problems of this kind have been caused by oils combined with synthetic chemicals or chemically modified through exposure to heat or light over time.
Conclusions
Lemon balm oil cannot replace any treatment plan approved by a doctor, but it can be an effective complementary treatment. Used correctly, natural lemon balm oil will certainly have a significant range of benefits.
Sources:
10 Benefits of Lemon Balm and How to Use It
