History and Origin
Melissa as an aromatic and grassy plant of Lamiaceae is native to a Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for over 2000 years. This plant was cultivated by beekeepers of the temple of Artemis to grow honey bees. Hence, its name is taken from the Greek word Melissa which means the honeybee.
Lemon Balm Health Benefits
1. Increasing Antioxidant Activity
The antioxidant effects of Melissa are due to the presence of Rosmarinic acid and the benzodioxole and the antioxidant effect of these ingredients is up to 10 times stronger than that of vitamins B and C. Ingredients such as Linoleic acid, Carnosic acid, and Ursolic acid are also in the extract of this plant that have antioxidant property.
2. Improving Memory Function
The results of an experiment have shown that Melissa can improve lead-based learning disorders. The antioxidant properties of the Melissa and the tendency of its ingredients to bind to Nicotine receptors, Muscarine and especially Cholinergic and deter the Choline enzyme in Cortex tissue of human brain can affect cognitive functions. Moreover, it can be effective in the treatment of memory disorders and other diseases associated with the nervous system.
In another experiment, the researchers observed that the use of Melissa improved memory in people with Alzheimer`s disease. This effect of Melissa can be due to its cholinergic activity.
3. Calming Anxiety and Stress
Rosemarinic acid, Ursolic acid, and Oleanolic acid extracts from Melissa can deter the activity of GABA-T enzyme (GABA transaminase). The researchers have recognized that the relaxing mechanism of Melissa is due to the effect of this plant on the GABA route so that the mentioned ingredients prevent GABA-T activity and increase the availability of GABA in the brain (GABA is an important nervous mediator).
4. Anticonvulsant
The extract of Melissa has a relaxing effect on the nervous system due to its Geraniol with its hypnotic and anti-convulsion effects and Caffeic acid with its anti-convulsion effects. The relaxing effect of the Melissa extract is due to GABA function in the central nervous system. The effective substance of Benzodiazepine is attached to the A-GABA receptor. It seems that some Flavonoids affect some deterrent neurons and enhance this system.
5. Alleviating Peptic Ulcer Disease
In a study, the extract of Melissa caused to treat the peptic ulcer in rats. It was observed that the extract of the leaves of this plant caused an immune response in the rats. This extract can modify the immune system in the wound healing process. The extract of Melissa, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, can prevent the spread of ulcers and reduce stomach inflammation. The Flavonoids with antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals and help to control the ulcer. The Flavonoids repel deep necrosis wounds and prevent the lamination of the Epithelium.
6. Improving Liver Function
In a study published in the Journal of Animal Biology, the extract of Melissa showed a protective effect on the liver by decreasing the activity of the ALT enzyme (Alanine aminotransferase). The ALT is an enzyme that is naturally in the liver and as a result, hepatic injury enters the blood. Perhaps we can say that this effect of Melissa is due to antioxidants because antioxidants play a very important role in protecting the internal organs of the body, especially the heart and the liver.
7. Anti-Pain
The herbal complement of Melissa in an experiment can be effective in decreasing the inflammation resulting from running downward and feeling pain. Researchers believe that Melissa reduces the pain by blocking the Adenosine receptors at the end of sensory neurons of the muscles.
8. Anti-cancer
The researchers investigated the effect of Melissa essential oil and its main citral ingredients on GBM cell lines (a malignant tumor in the nervous system). According to the published findings in the Cancer Investigation Journal, both Melissa and citral extract reduced the lifespan of cells GBM and Apoptosis (the scheduled death of cell) in these cells. According to the findings, Melissa extract may be effective in the treatment of GBM due to the presence of Citral.
What Are Lemon Balm Side Effects?
1. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of lemon balm during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
2. Infants and children. Lemon balm is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately by mouth for about one month.
3. Diabetes. Lemon balm might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use lemon balm.
4. Surgery: Lemon balm might cause too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
5. Thyroid disease: Don't use lemon balm. There is a concern that lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy.
Lemon Balm Daily Dosage
To prepare an infusion pour one cup of hot water over 1.5 to 4.5 gm of the herb and strain after 10 minutes. The average daily dose is 1.5 to 4.5 gm.
Bioactive Compounds
Lemon balm contains phenolic acids, triterpenes, tannins and flavonoids. Some of the effective components of this plant include geranial, neral, oleanane, beta-caryophyllene, nerol, citronellal, geraniol, citral, linalool, eugenol acetate, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid.
Best Time to Consume
1-2 hours before or after meals.
Possible Drug Interactions
1. Sedative medications (CNS depressants): Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking lemon balm along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal) and zolpidem (Ambien).
2. Thyroid medications: Lemon balm may interact with thyroid medications. If you are taking medications to regulate your thyroid, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm.
3. HIV medications: It is not clear whether lemon balm interacts with antiretroviral agents. At this time, avoid use of lemon balm if you're taking medication for HIV.
Traditional Use
In traditional medicine, Melissa leaves are brewed and used as a perspirant, peptic stimulant, anti-spasms, anti-flatulence, anti-anxiety and stress, sedative, anti-convulsion, and anti-vomiting.
Some Questions about Lemon Balm (Melissa)
Is lemon balm the same as melissa? / What is another name for Melissa plant? / Is melissa tea same as lemon balm?
Melissa officinalis L. has several common names include lemon balm, melissa, bee balm and honey balm. This herb is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
What is lemon balm (melissa) tea good for? / What is lemon balm (melissa) tea benefits?
Lemon balm (melissa) herbal tea has antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and can enhance antibiotic activity. Lemon balm as a sedative tea can reduce heart rate. According to studies, this valuable herbal tea also has the following effects:
Renal protective, anti-inflammatory, lowering blood triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol levels, regulating blood pressure, regulating blood glucose levels, promoting weight loss, preventing cardiovascular risk, antidepressant properties, calming anxiety and stress,
Lemon balm (melissa) is approved for nervousness and insomnia by the German regulatory agency of medicinal supplements, Commission E.
Is lemon balm (melissa) tea good for the heart?
According to studies, lemon balm (melissa) herbal tea can significantly reduce heart rate and blood pressure. So, it is a sedative tea that may increase heart resistance to injury.
Does lemon balm (melissa) affect blood pressure?
According to a 2016 study, lemon balm (melissa) herbal tea can significantly reduce blood pressure.
Is lemon balm (melissa) safe during pregnancy?
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. In the absence of sufficient data, the use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.
Does lemon balm (melissa) increase appetite?
Not enough is known about the effect of lemon balm on appetite. In one study, using lemon balm (1,000 mg dry extract/day) increased appetite.
Is lemon balm (melissa) good for anxiety and depression?
According to a 2009 study, lemon balm possesses an antidepressant-like activity similar to imipramine (a medication used in the treatment of anxiety and depression).
Does lemon balm help lose weight?
In a 2018 clinical study, the consumption of lemon balm (melissa) infusion (4 g/d, two times a day, for four weeks) could decrease weight and body mass index (BMI).
Is melissa a sedative?
Lemon balm (melissa) herbal tea has regulating blood pressure, lowering heart rate, antidepressant and calming anxiety and stress properties. Therefore, it is popular as a sedative tea.
Why is lemon balm good for sleep? / Does lemon balm tea make you sleepy?
Lemon balm (melissa) is approved for nervousness and insomnia by the German regulatory agency of medicinal supplements, Commission E.
Also, in European traditional medicine, lemon balm is used for calming mental stress and improving sleep quality, prescribed in the form of herbal tea, powdered herbal substance, or aqueous/ethanolic extracts.
Can you drink lemon balm tea daily? / How much lemon balm can you take in a day?
Yes. The average daily dose is 1.5 to 4.5 gm of the dried leaves of lemon balm (melissa).
What is melissa tea made of? / What is melissa tea? / How to make lemon balm tea?
Melissa tea is made from plant leaves known by the botanical name Melissa officinalis L. To prepare melissa tea, pour one cup of hot water over 1.5 to 4.5 gm of the leaves and strain after 10 minutes.
Are lemon balm and lemon verbena the same?
Lemon balm (melissa) is a plant known by the botanical name Melissa officinalis L in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. While, lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) is a deciduous shrub from the Verbenaceae family.
Does Melissa tea have caffeine?
Lemon balm (melissa) tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea.
Is lemon balm anti-inflammatory?
Researchers have proven the anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of lemon balm (melissa). The extract also can reduce muscle pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Does lemon balm (melissa) lower thyroid levels?
There is a concern that lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy. If you have thyroid disease or are taking thyroid medications, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm.
Who should not drink lemon balm (melissa) tea? / What are lemon balm side effects?
Under the following conditions, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm:
During pregnancy and breast-feeding, before a scheduled surgery, people with thyroid disease, and diabetic.
Does lemon balm interact with any medications?
Lemon balm might interact with the following medications:
Thyroid medications, HIV medications and sedative medications (CNS depressants).
