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Kindly provide the scientific research or clinical research of lemon balm extract for relaxing benefit. What is the effective dosage to achieve relaxing benefit?

January 7, 2016
ANSWER

 

Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is contemporaneously used as a mild sedative and calming agent. Studies demonstrated that lemon balm products were capable of benefiting several aspects of moods and performance. It reduces induced stress and has anxiolytic effects on humans. It could be used to calm and relax the nerves.

 Study Title Method/ Findings/ Dosage Recommended References
Anti-Stress Effects of Lemon Balm-Containing Foods
  • Twenty-five participants (17 females and 8 males) with ages ranging from 18 to 39 years old, received an identical 480 mL serving containing either (1) 300 mg lemon balm and natural fruit sweetener, (2) 600 mg lemon balm and natural fruit sweetener; or (3) 600 mg lemon balm and a blend of artificial sweeteners (containing cyclamate, asparatame, acesulfame-K and saccharine)
  • There was a significant reduction in state anxiety following the 300 mg lemon balm/fruit sweetener drink.
 Scholey et al., 2014.
Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances
  • 20 participants with mild to moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances took 600 mg of active treatment per day in two divided doses.
  • Results showed significant improvements in associated symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.
 Cases et al., 2011.
Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced stress
  • 24 healthy volunteers received three separate single doses (600 mg, 1200 mg, 1800 mg) of a standardized product containing Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis
  • The results showed that the 600 mg dose of the combination ameliorated the negative effects of anxiety.
 Kennedy et al., 2006.
Attenuation of Laboratory-Induced Stress in Humans After Acute Administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
  • 18 healthy volunteers received two separate single doses of a standardized officinalis (Lemon Balm) extract (300 mg and 600 mg).
  • 600 mg dose of Melissa ameliorated the negative mood effects with significantly increased self-ratings of calmness and reduced self-ratings of alertness.
 Kennedy et al., 2004.

 

References

Cases, J., Ibarra, A., Feuillere, N., Roller, M. & Sukkar, S. G. (2011). Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances. Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 4(3), 211-218. https://doi.org/10.3233/s12349-010-0045-4

Kennedy, D. O., Little, W., Haskell, C. F. & Scholey, A. B. (2006). Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa Officinalis and Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytotherapy Research, 20(2), 96-102. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1787

Kennedy, D., Little, W., & Scholey, A. (2004). Attenuation of Laboratory-Induced Stress in Humans After Acute Administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm). Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(4), 607-613. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000132877.72833.71

Scholey, A., Gibbs, A., Neale, C., Perry, N., Ossoukhova, A., Bilog, V., Kras, M., Scholz, C., Sass, M. & Buchwald-Werner, S. (2014). Antistress Effects of Lemon Balm-Containing Foods. Nutrients, 6(11), 4805-4821. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6114805

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