What is Lemon Balm?
Lemon balm is an herb that has a lemon-like scent and is from the family of mint. Lemon balm is majorly found in North Africa, Europe, and West Asia but is currently being grown in different parts of the world.
One of the most prominent health benefits for which lemon balm is known is the improvement of cognitive functions and mood. This, however, is not the end of the health benefits lemon balm has to offer. Lemon balm has various health benefits and has great healing powers.
Health Benefits of Lemon Balm
The following are health benefits of lemon balm;
Relieves Stress
One of the most popular health benefits of lemon balm is its ability to relieve stress. It does this by ensuring the relaxation of nerves.
Studies showed that taking balm can help in the reduction of psychological stress induced by the laboratory. People who took lemon balm regularly for one month experienced a reduced feeling of alertness and a higher feeling of calmness.
How to use; take 600 mg of lemon balm once per day, or you can break it into two by taking 300 mg twice every day.
Reduces Anxiety
Lemon balm also has the tendency to reduce anxiety and its symptoms. Some of the symptoms of anxiety include; excitability and nervousness.
Studies were carried out on foods prepared or processed with lemon balm, and it was discovered that lemon balm has promising and positive effects on cognition and mood. This supplement or herb can be mixed into foods while they are processed. Yogurt is a good example of foods that are processed with lemon balm. Sometimes sweeteners are added to enhance the taste of the yogurt.
People who consumed such foods as lemon-balm-produced food have shown positive results in enhancing the mood, including reducing anxiety levels and risks.
How to use; take between 300 and 600 mg of lemon balm supplement three times every day. For treating anxiety, you can take up to 600 mg.
Enhances Cognitive Function
Lemon balm has the ability to enhance cognitive functions. Studies showed that people who consumed lemon balm every day for 3 months showed improved cognitive functions when engaged in a question and answer session that involves memory, concentration, and mathematics. They showed better results compared to people who do not consume lemon balm supplements.
Although, an increased level of alertness and performance was also observed. However, the research found that along with the line, fatigue may set in. in addition, using lemon balm immediately after a meal can affect the rate of absorption of your food.
How to use; take between 300 to 600 mg of lemon balm supplements at least 3 times every day.
Can Improve Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders
Lemon balm supplement has been discovered to reduce the restlessness that comes with sleeplessness. Insomnia is a sleep condition that tampers with your sleep pattern. In other words, it reduces the quality of your sleep and also reduces the quality of your life.
Parents who gave their children lemon balm supplements experienced about 80% improvement in the symptom of their sleeplessness.
How to use; drink about one glass cup of lemon balm tea brewed with valerian once daily.
Treats Cold Sores
Lemon balm can help improve the first sign and symptom of a cold sore. People with cold sores who applied lemon balm mixed with placebo cream on the affected area 3 times per day for one week experienced reduced symptoms and speedy healing of their cold sores. In addition, researchers suggested that lemon balm can also help lengthen the intervals between the outbreaks of cold sores.
How to use; apply lemon balm to the affected area at least 3 times every day. Check for irritation after applying it. If none is noticed after 24 hours, then continue using it until your cold sore heals up.
Improves Indigestion
Indigestion comes with discomfort from the abdominal pains. However, lemon balm shows positive results in your digestion. The research found that taking lemon balm supplements regularly can calm the raging storm in your stomach. It may not only reduce the cramps associated with indigestion, but it may also help in the freeing of your bowels and the protection of your digestive health.
How to use; mix one teaspoon full of balm powder with your smoothie and ice cream.
Treats Nausea
Lemon balm has positive effects on the digestive system. It protects the digestive system and helps relieve nausea symptoms. Studies carried out on lemon herbs showed that it is useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal sicknesses and symptoms of these illnesses.
Sometimes lemon balm, when combined with other herbs, proved to be extremely effective. However, more research is needed to confirm if it can be effective when it is used alone.
How to use; drink one teacup of lemon balm tea when you notice any symptom of nausea.
Reduces Menstrual Cramps
Postmenstrual symptoms and menstrual cramps have been found to be illnesses that are within the treatment abilities of lemon balm. Studies were carried out on 100 school girls who experienced severe menstrual cramps. When the girls used lemon balm every day for 3 months, they experienced a reduction in the intensity of the menstrual cramps.
In addition, some older women with post menstrual syndrome who also used lemon balm twice a day for 2 months also experienced improvements in their symptoms after 2 months of trial.
How to use; to get optimal results, take about 1500 mg of lemon balm every day. This will ensure that your body gets familiar with the herb and gets absorbed properly into your system before you even get to your post-menopause stage, where post-menopause syndrome symptoms begin to appear.
Frequent use has also been found to improve symptoms reasonably.
Reduces Headache
Stress comes with various symptoms, including headaches. Lemon balm has been discovered to help relieve headaches associated with stress and other kinds of headaches. It contains properties that help relax the nerves, the brain, and the muscles. In addition, consuming the herb orally can help relax clogged or tight blood vessels, which can be major contributory factors for headaches.
Further research also found that lemon balm mixed with other healthy herbs helps in the reduction of migraine headache symptoms.
How to use; if you always experience consistent and recurrent headaches, use between 300 to 60 mg of lemon balm at least 2 times per day. By so doing, your system begins to get familiar with the herb, and your body gest to absorb the herb properly before the recurring headache even begins to develop.
Reduces Toothache Pain
One of the most painful things in the world is toothache pain. It comes with a grave headache that can make you feel sick, reduce your productivity at work, reduce the quality of your sleep as well as the quality of your life. However, lip balm contains pain relief compounds that may help in the relief of pains associated with toothache.
In addition to this, it also helps you relax and calms the throbbing headache that comes with a toothache. It has also been discovered that lemon balm herb help prevents and treat inflammation and its symptoms.
How to use; apply lemon balm to the affected toothache area using a cotton swab. You can mix lemon balm herb with carrier oils like jojoba, as research found that diluting lemon balm supplements that are purchased from stores before use is the best way of using it. This is because it is quite harmful to apply essential oils and supplements like lemon balm directly on the skin undiluted.
Side Effects and Risks
Prolonged and excessive usage of lemon balm can lead to certain mild side effects. Some of these side effects include;
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Painful urination
- Dizziness
- Skin irritation
- High body temperature
- Wheezing
- Allergic reaction
In order to reduce the impact of or side effects of lemon balm supplement, take lesser than 2 grams of the supplement every day. in addition, lemon balm should not be used over a long period of time. It is best to give yourself a one-week break after taking it for one full week, and it should not be taken for more than 4 months.
Before taking lemon balm supplements, talk to your doctor if you are on the following medication;
- Sedatives
- Glaucoma medications
- Thyroid medications
- Barbiturates
Also, consult your doctor if;
- You are breastfeeding
- You are pregnant
- You have a scheduled surgery
- You want to give your young child or infant lemon balm.
In conclusion, lemon balm is a healthy herb that can supply the body with varieties of health benefits. It is important to note that excessive and prolonged usage of more than 4 months can cause side effects.
