Lemon Balm









Lemon Balm


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
  • Oral: Lemon balm is used to help relieve stress and anxiety, and to provide an overall relaxing feeling; possibly to lift the spirits.
  • Topical: May help relieve cold sores, fever blisters; possibly to help with wound healing; to relieve pain and swelling associated with insect bites.
How does it work?
Lemon balm may have antiviral properties through substances called tannins. Other chemicals in the plant exert the calming effects.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
    • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
    • Take this product with a full glass of water.
    • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • If you are taking for calming effects prior to bedtime:
    • Take 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
  • Topical:
    • For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
    • Wash hands before and after use.
    • Clean affected area before use.
    • Use a small amount over the area affected as a light film. Rub in gently.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this product.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • You may feel tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this product affects you.
What should I monitor?
  • Any significant changes in skin (pigmentation, color, rash).
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Whole plant
Dosage forms
Oral, topical
Drug interactions
Thyroid hormones, medications with sedative properties
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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