Lemon Balm Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Lemon Balm Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Lemon balm is generally considered safe when used orally in normal food amounts. It has been classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA. Short-term use of lemon balm extract, both orally and topically, is also considered safe. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• For pregnant and lactating women, there is insufficient information available, so it is advised to avoid using lemon balm.
• While lemon balm is well tolerated in most cases, rare cases of wheezing have been reported when taken orally.
• When used topically, lemon balm is generally well tolerated, but it's always a good idea to do a patch test before applying it to a larger area.

If you have any specific concerns or health conditions, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using lemon balm.

How Is Lemon Balm Thought to Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Lemon balm contains various compounds that contribute to its effects. Some of the key components include citronellal, neral, geranial, flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds (such as rosmarinic acid), and monoterpene glycosides. Here's a breakdown of the mechanisms of action:

• Antinociceptive Effects: Lemon balm extract has shown to reduce pain in animal studies. It achieves this by inhibiting the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway and activating nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
• Antibacterial Effects: Lemon balm exhibits antibacterial activity against certain bacterial strains, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
• Antidiabetic Effects: Lemon balm has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, and increase insulin levels in diabetic mice. It enhances glucose uptake and metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue while inhibiting gluconeogenesis in the liver.
• Antifungal Effects: Lemon balm can inhibit the growth of fungal species, including Candida albicans and various yeast species.
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Rosmarinic acid, a constituent of lemon balm, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting complement-dependent processes involved in inflammation.
• Antineoplastic Effects: Lemon balm has shown inhibitory effects on the proliferation of certain human cancer cell lines in laboratory studies.
• Antioxidant Effects: Lemon balm demonstrates antioxidant activity and inhibits lipid peroxidation, which can help protect against oxidative damage.
• Antiviral Effects: Lemon balm has been shown to have antiviral activity against various viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), and others.
• Cardiovascular Effects: Lemon balm can reduce cardiac rate and stimulate cardiac muscarinic receptors.
• Neurologic/CNS Effects: Lemon balm has been found to have cholinergic activity and may affect acetylcholine receptors. It induces a calming effect, reduces alertness, and exhibits anxiolytic properties. It also shows sedative effects and can modulate neurotransmitters like GABA.
• Weight Loss Effects: Preliminary research suggests that a specific combination of herbs containing lemon balm may help reduce body weight and adipose tissue mass in obese mice.

These mechanisms of action contribute to the potential therapeutic effects of lemon balm in various conditions. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and their clinical significance.

Pharmacokinetics

When lemon balm is ingested orally, a serving containing rosmarinic acid suggests a peak concentration at around 30 minutes to 1 hour after ingestion, before returning to baseline levels. The essential oil of lemon balm, which contains terpenes, is rapidly absorbed through the lungs and can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Interaction Overview (See Below for Full List)

Lemon balm may interact with certain medications, supplements, and conditions. Here is a brief overview:

• Drug Interactions: Lemon balm may have additive effects with CNS depressant drugs and might interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
• Supplement Interactions: Lemon balm may enhance the effects, both therapeutic and adverse, of herbs and supplements with sedative properties. It may also affect thyroid hormone activity.
• Condition Interactions: Lemon balm may interact with perioperative conditions and thyroid disease.

If you are taking any medications, supplements, or have specific health conditions, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to assess potential interactions.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Generally, lemon balm is well tolerated, but some rare side effects have been reported. These side effects may include wheezing when taken orally and potential skin irritation when used topically. It's always a good idea to do a patch test before applying lemon balm topically and discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur. If you experience any concerning or persistent side effects, consult with a healthcare professional.

Are Supplements Standardized?

Some lemon balm extracts used in clinical research are standardized to contain specific compounds, such as rosmarinic acid. For example, the lemon balm extract Cyracos is standardized to contain more than 7% rosmarinic acid. Another extract called Bluenesse is standardized to contain 6% rosmarinic acid. Standardization ensures that the product consistently contains a specific amount of the desired compound, allowing for more consistent dosing and efficacy.

It's important to note that not all lemon balm supplements are standardized, and the concentration of active compounds may vary between products. When choosing a supplement, it can be helpful to look for those that provide information about standardization and quality control.

What Is Lemon Balm Typically Used For?

• Depression: Some small clinical trials suggest that oral lemon balm may improve depression when used in the short term.
• Herpes labialis (cold sores): Topical lemon balm lotion has shown benefits in healing recurrent cold sores.
• Stress: Oral lemon balm may be beneficial in reducing experimentally-induced stress in some individuals.
• Age-related cognitive decline: It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for improving cognitive function.
• Alzheimer's disease: It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for improving cognitive function.
• Anxiety: It is unclear if oral lemon balm or lemon balm aromatherapy is beneficial for reducing anxiety in most patients.
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): There is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of lemon balm for this condition.
• Chronic bronchitis: There is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of lemon balm for this condition.
• Cognitive function: It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for improving memory and response time in healthy patients.
• Colic: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Delirium: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Dementia: It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, such as agitation.
• Dysmenorrhea: There is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of lemon balm for this condition.
• Dyspepsia: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Headache: There is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of lemon balm for this condition.
• Hypertension: It is unclear if oral lemon balm is beneficial for hypertension.
• Hyperthyroidism: There is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of lemon balm for this condition.
• Insect repellent: There is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of lemon balm for this condition.
• Insomnia: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Menopausal symptoms: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Pain (acute): The effect of lemon balm aromatherapy for reducing pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome is unclear.
• Postpartum complications: Oral lemon balm might reduce postpartum pain in some patients, but its benefits for other complications are unclear.
• Psoriasis: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Somatic symptom disorder: The effect of oral lemon balm when used alone is unclear.
• Ventricular arrhythmias: It is unclear if oral lemon balm leaf tea is beneficial for patients with premature ventricular contraction (PVC).

Drugs that interact with Lemon Balm