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COMPOUNDS / ADAPTOGEN / LEMON BALM
ADAPTOGEN

LEMON BALM

LOW RISK
BEST FOR:Calm●●●●●●●○○○7/10
MELISSA OFFICINALIS · MELISSA · COMMON BALM · SWEET BALM · BEE BALM · TORONJIL · MELISSENBLÄTTER
AdaptogenAnxiolyticAntioxidantHerbalSleepAntiviral

Calming herbal extract with anxiolytic, mood-enhancing, and antioxidant properties from Melissa officinalis.

ROUTE / DOSAGE
LOW300mg
STANDARD600-1200mg
HIGH1800mg+
Note: Standardised leaf extract; also consumed as tea (1.5-4.5g dried herb)
CYCLE
Daily use acceptable no strict cycling required
BIOAVAILABILITY
Low oral (~10-20% for rosmarinic acid)
ACTIVE DURATION
4-6h (subjective)
STORAGE
Room temperature dry away from light
HALF-LIFE
2-5h (plasma)
DURATION BREAKDOWN
Total4-6 hours
Onset30min-2h
Come up30-60 min
Peak1-3 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After effects2-4 hours
Duration varies by route, dose, and individual. Source: community reports.
§ 01 — EFFECTS
7 documented
Reduced anxiety and nervousness
Improved sleep quality
Mild mood elevation
Enhanced cognitive performance
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity
Lipid profile improvement
Topical antiviral against HSV
§ 02 — RISKS
Additive sedation with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other CNS depressants
Occasional nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Dizziness and wheezing reported rarely
Potential interference with thyroid medication due to mild antithyroid effects
No data on excretion into breastmilk; galactogogue evidence is weak
§ 03 — INTERACTIONS
Interaction data not yet available for this compound.
§ 04 — SCIENCE

Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs demonstrate that lemon balm significantly reduces anxiety and depression scores compared to placebo, particularly in acute settings, though heterogeneity between studies is high. A 2024 review highlights promise for cognitive enhancement and sleep-quality improvement, but calls for more robust RCTs. Meta-analyses also show modest lipid-lowering effects (reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL) and reduced systolic blood pressure, though study quality and sample sizes are limited. Topical application shows antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus. No serious adverse events have been reported across trials, and the herb is GRAS-listed by the FDA.

§ 06 — SOURCES
[1]
Lemon Balm - LiverTox
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[2]
Lemon Balm - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[3]
Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm in Psychological Well-Being: A Review
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[4]
Effects of Lemon Balm on Depression and Anxiety in Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[5]
A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[6]
Effects of Melissa officinalis Consumption on Serum Lipid Profile: A Meta-Analysis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[7]
Effects of Melissa officinalis on Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[8]
Lemon Balm and Corn Silk Mixture Alleviates Metabolic Disorders Caused by a High-Fat Diet
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Disclaimer. Protokol.wiki is an informational reference. Nothing on this site is medical advice. Compounds listed may be unapproved, unregulated, or illegal in your jurisdiction. Consult a licensed physician before use. Data compiled from peer-reviewed literature.
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