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Contents
Lemon balm drops anxiety.
Hello again, I am sure what you thinking. “What? Is this another tea for your series?” Yes! It really is a series about how to relieve stress anxiety, and even depression.
Ok, I am now going to talk to you as if you and I were face to face. (Behind a mask too) Do you know someone who has Anxiety? I do, this person is a close friend of mine, and so I looked up “Best teas that help fight off depression and anxiety,” and this is one of the teas that came up. So keep reading to find out about this tea.
What is it?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented herb that comes from the same family as mint. The herb is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, but it’s grown around the world.
Lemon balm has traditionally been used to improve mood and cognitive function, but the potential benefits don’t stop there. Read on to learn more about this plant’s possible healing powers.
1. It can help relieve stress
This is the best reason to try this tea out.
Lemon balm is said to soothe stress symptoms, help you relax, and boost your mood.
Some found that taking lemon balm eased the negative mood effects of laboratory-induced psychological stress. Participants who took lemon balm self-reported an increased sense of calmness and reduced 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 elaborate on these findings.
How to use: Take 300 milligrams (mg) of lemon balm in capsule form twice a day. You can take a single dose of 600 mg in acute episodes of stress.
2. It can help reduce anxiety
You see, Lemon balm drops anxiety, which is true for so many worldwide! This tea is known to help you fight off anxiety and depression as well. Lemon balm may also be used to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability.
Research published in 2014 examined the mood and cognitive effects of foods containing lemon balm. The supplement was mixed into a beverage, yogurt, and 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 determine its efficacy.
How to use: Take 300 to 600 mg of lemon balm three times per day. You can take a higher dose in acute episodes of anxiety.
3. It may boost cognitive function
A study also looked at the effects of lemon balm on improving cognitive function.
Participants were asked to do cognitive tasks involving memory, mathematics, and concentration. The results of these computerized tasks suggest that participants who ingested lemon balm performed better than those who didn’t.
Although these participants did experience an increase in levels of alertness and performance, it’s still possible for fatigue to set in over time. Combining lemon balm with food also affects its absorption rate, which may have had an impact on its efficacy. Additional research is needed.
4. It can help ease insomnia and other sleep disorders
Combining lemon balm with valerian may help relieve restlessness and sleep disorders such as insomnia.
Researchers in one 2006 study found that children who took a combined dose experienced a 70 to 80 percent improvement in symptoms. The researchers and parents regarded lemon balm as a good or very good treatment. Still, more research is needed to validate these findings.
How to use: Drink a cup of tea brewed with valerian and lemon balm before bed. You can find loose-leaf. You can find a recipe at the end of this post.
5. It may help treat cold sores
You can even apply lemon balm topically at the first sign of a cold sore.
Participants in a 1999 study applied either a lemon balm or placebo cream on the affected area four times per day for five days. The researchers found that the participants who used the lemon balm cream experienced fewer symptoms and healed faster than those who didn’t.
The researchers also suggested that using lemon balm cream may help prolong the intervals between cold sore outbreaks. Further studies are needed to expand on these findings.
6. It may help relieve indigestion
If you experience frequent abdominal pain and discomfort, lemon balm may positively affect your digestion.
A small study from 2010 assessed the effects of a cold dessert containing lemon balm on functional dyspepsia. After a meal, participants ate a sorbet, with or without the herb. Although both types of desserts lessened the symptoms and their intensity, the dessert containing lemon balm intensified this effect. More research is needed.
7. It can help treat nausea
Given its potential impact on your digestive system, lemon balm may also help relieve feelings of nausea.
A 2005 review assessing the results of several studies on lemon balm found the herb to be useful in treating gastrointestinal symptoms such as this. Although this is a promising development, it’s important to recognize the study’s limitations.
Many of the studies looked at lemon balm used in conjunction with other herbs. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of lemon balm when used alone.
How to use: Drink a cup of lemon balm tea at the first sign of nausea. You can find loose-leaf or bagged.
8. It may help minimize menstrual cramps
There’s also research to suggest that lemon balm can be used to relieve menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Researched the effect of lemon balm in reducing the intensity of cramps in 100 high school girls. The girls took either a lemon balm essence or a placebo for three consecutive menstrual cycles. The intensity of PMS symptoms was analyzed before and one, two, and three months after the trial. The group who took the lemon balm reported a significant reduction in symptoms. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
How to use: Take 1200 mg of lemon balm daily for optimal results. This will allow the herb to get into your system long before it’s time for PMS symptoms to appear. Continued use is thought to reduce your symptoms over time.
9. It may help ease headache pain
Lemon balm may also be useful in treating headaches, especially if they result from stress. Its relaxing properties can help you to unwind, release tension, and relax your muscles. It’s also thought that ingesting the herb can help open up and relax tight blood vessels, contributing to headaches.
10. It may help lessen toothache pain
Lemon balm’s pain-relieving properties may make it ideal for relieving toothache pain. In addition to drawing on its relaxing properties, this home remedy is thought to target inflammation in the body. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
How to use: Use a cotton swab to apply lemon balm oil to the affected area as needed. Be sure to select an oil that has already been diluted by a carrier oil, such as jojoba. If you purchase pure lemon balm oil, you should dilute it. Essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin until they are diluted in a carrier oil.
Recipe:
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons dried lemon balm
- 1 tablespoon dried oat straw
- 2 tablespoons dried, seedless rosehips
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried orange peel
- 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all ingredients and store them in an airtight container.
- To make tea: For 1 cup of tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 round tablespoon of the tea blend. Cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey, if desired.
Health side effects.
Lemon balm has the potential to cause the following side effects:
- headache
- painful urination
- increased body temperature
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- dizziness
- wheezing
- skin irritation
- allergic reaction
You may be able to minimize side effects, such as stomach upset, by ingesting lemon balm alongside food. You can also reduce your risk for side effects by consuming fewer than 2 grams of lemon balm per day.
Lemon balm should only be used for a short period of time. A general rule of thumb is to take one week off after every three weeks of use. You shouldn’t take lemon balm for longer than four months at a time without a break.
You should talk to your doctor before use if you’re taking:
- glaucoma medications
- thyroid medications
- barbiturates
- sedatives
- drugs that affect serotonin
You should also talk to your doctor before use if:
- you’re pregnant
- you’re breastfeeding
- you want to administer lemon balm to an infant or child under the age of 12
- you have a scheduled surgery
The bottom line
Lemon balm can’t replace any doctor-approved treatment plan that you’re currently following, but it may be an effective complementary treatment. Talk to your doctor about your individual case and the potential benefits and risks involved.
There is little risk if you’re growing your own lemon balm or using dried leaves for tea. But if you’re taking capsules, powder, or other commercially prepared supplements or herbs, choose a reputable company. Herbs and supplements are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration, and there may be issues with purity, quality, or safety.
If you begin using lemon balm, you may find it beneficial to keep a journal about your experience. You should make a note of any improvements or side effects you notice. It may also be helpful to keep track of the time you take lemon balm, the amount taken, and how you ingest it.
Even though this tea has so many good things, this tea also has some bad side effects as well. Lemon balm drops anxiety, but it’s not to be taken a lot any time of the day.
I would say to drink it once a day.
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