Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Eclectic Institute

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol is a dietary supplement by Eclectic Institute with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, sleep problems, digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 264 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Lemon Balm, Dried. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 3 active ingredients.

This product contains 3 ingredients: filtered water, alcohol, and lemon balm (dried herb). Lemon balm is a plant long used in herbal medicine, and here it's the active ingredient.

The water and alcohol are the base that carries and preserves the lemon balm — alcohol also helps extract the plant's compounds. There are no inactive fillers or binders listed.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Lemon Balm's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Lemon Balm for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Herpes labialis (cold sores) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Depression — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Stress — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Lemon balm is rated possibly effective for cold sores (herpes labialis) and for stress and depression. That means there's some reasonable evidence it may help with these uses, but the research isn't ironclad yet.

If you're thinking about it for one of those reasons, the data supports giving it a fair trial — just know that more rigorous studies would strengthen that confidence.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lemon Balm

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lemon balm is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, though long-term safety at high doses hasn't been thoroughly studied. In clinical trials, it did not cause dizziness or sedation more often than placebo, and it does not seem to impair reaction time or mental performance even when used with alcohol.

One rare case of heart rhythm changes (atrioventricular block and QT prolongation) was reported in a woman taking a multi-ingredient product containing lemon balm; symptoms resolved when she stopped the product, though it's unclear whether lemon balm alone was responsible. During pregnancy, there isn't enough reliable safety data, so it's best avoided unless your doctor advises otherwise.

While breastfeeding, safety information is limited — talk it over with your doctor before using. If you're pregnant or nursing and considering this product, your doctor or pharmacist can give you personalized guidance based on your situation.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lemon Balm

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Lemon Balm.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 264 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you start, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take CNS depressants (sedatives, sleep aids, some pain relievers, or anti-anxiety drugs) or thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Altogether, these interactions span 264 individual medications.

No interactions are documented for the water or alcohol in this product.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute may help with cold sores, stress, or depression, and it's tolerated well by most people for short-term use. The main caution is its potential to add to the drowsy effects of CNS depressants and to interfere with thyroid hormone therapy — if you take either type of drug, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Talk it through with your healthcare provider first.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 19, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol, straight from the product label.

Brand Eclectic Institute
Barcode (UPC) 023363102808
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 263670
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
15 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
30 Drop(s)
UPC/BARCODE
023363102808
IngredientAmount% DV
filtered Water0 NP--
Alcohol0 NP--
Lemon Balm, Dried0 NP--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Grain-Free Alcohol

Herbal Extract/Dietary Supplement

Melissa officinalis leaf 250 mg/ml herb equivalency

Brand IP Statement(s)

Eclectic Institute - Since 1982

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Extract/Dietary Supplement

Formulation

USDA Organic

Non GMO Gluten/Soy/Dairy-Free

Full Strength Made in USA

Vegan

Organic Alcohol

Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Shake well; mix 15-30 drops in water; take 1-3 times daily.

Precautions

Discontinue use if unusual symptoms occur.

Consult your health care advisor regarding the use of herbs during pregnancy, with infants or with prescription drugs.

Consult your health care advisor regarding the use of herbs during pregnancy, with infants or with prescription drugs. Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store upright.

See for yourself

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size15 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Filtered Water

0 NP per serving

Alcohol

0 NP per serving

Lemon Balm, Dried

Interacts with
264 drugs
0 NP per serving

Lemon balm is a gentle, lemon-scented mint-family herb traditionally used to ease stress, support sleep, and calm digestion, and topically for cold so...

Lemon Balm, Dried monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
264Drugs
264 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Lemon Balm, Dried2 drug types · 264 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of lemon balm might have additive effects with CNS depressant drugs.
Lemon balm seems to have CNS depressant activity in animals and in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, lemon balm might interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
In vitro, constituents of lemon balm extract bind to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), preventing TSH receptor-binding and leading to the inhibition of TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In animals, lemon balm extract has been shown to decrease levels of circulating TSH and inhibit thyroid secretion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol, from the product label.

Eclectic Institute

See all Eclectic Institute products
Name
Eclectic Institute, Inc.
Street Address
12960 SE Ten Eyck Rd
City
Sandy
State
Oregon
ZipCode
97055
Phone Number
503-668-4120
Web Address
www.eclecticherb.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute: Common Questions

Does Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol by Eclectic Institute interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol has a known interaction with 264 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol contains 3 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while pregnant?
There isn't enough reliable safety data to recommend it during pregnancy. It's best avoided unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you're pregnant and interested, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Is it safe to breastfeed while using this?
Safety information is limited. Use caution and talk to your doctor before using lemon balm while breastfeeding — they can advise you based on your individual situation.
Can lemon balm really help with cold sores?
Yes, it's rated possibly effective for cold sores (herpes labialis) — meaning there's reasonable evidence it may help, though more research would be good. Many people use it topically for this purpose.
Will this make me drowsy or impair my thinking?
In clinical trials, lemon balm did not cause drowsiness more often than placebo, and it doesn't seem to affect reaction time or mental performance even when combined with alcohol. That said, it does have CNS depressant activity, so if you take sedative drugs, the combined effect could be stronger — check with your doctor.
How long can I safely use this?
Lemon balm is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults. Long-term safety and high-dose effects haven't been well studied, so talk with your doctor about how long you plan to use it.
What's the alcohol for in this product?
Alcohol is the liquid base that carries and preserves the lemon balm. It also helps extract the plant's active compounds. The product is labeled grain-free alcohol, meaning it's not derived from grain sources.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Lemon Balm Grain-Free Alcohol's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 12 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Lemon Balm 12 references
  1. Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:25-31.
  2. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, et al. Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74:863-6. PubMed
  3. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Tildesley NT, et al. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002;72:953-64. PubMed
  4. Albrecht M, Berger W, Laux P, Schmidt U, et al. Psychopharmaka und Verkehrssicherheit. Der Einfluß von Euvegal® - Dragees forte auf die Fahrtüchtigkeit und Kombinationswirkungen mit Alkohol Z Allg Med 1995;71:1215-25.
  5. Herberg, KW. Nebenwirkungen pflanzlicher Beruhigungsmittel/ Leistung und Befinden nach Einnahme einer Baldrian-Hopfen-Kombination. Z.Allg Med 1996;72:234-240.
  6. Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, et al. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991 Apr;57:105-9.
  7. Sourgens H, Winterhoff H, Gumbinger HG, et al. Antihormonal effects of plant extracts. TSH- and prolactin-suppressing properties of Lithospermum officinale and other plants. Planta Med. 1982 Jun;45:78-86. DOI
  8. Auf'mkolk M, Ingbar JC, Amir SM, et al. Inhibition by certain plant extracts of the binding and adenylate cyclase stimulatory effect of bovine thyrotropin in human thyroid membranes. Endocrinology. 1984 Aug;115:527-34. PubMed
  9. Santini F, Vitti P, Ceccarini G, et al. In vitro assay of thyroid disruptors affecting TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003 Oct;26:950-5. PubMed
  10. Alijaniha F, et al. Heart palpitation relief with Melissa officinalis leaf extract: double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial of efficacy and safety. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;164:378-384. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Feb 11. PubMed
  11. Araj-Khodaei M, Noorbala AA, Yarani R, et al. A double-blind, randomized pilot study for comparison of Melissa officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. with Fluoxetine for the treatment of depression. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):207. PubMed
  12. Kucuk U, Pham M, Raza Raja MH, Saad Shaukat MH, Clark R. Transient complete atrioventricular block associated with herbal supplement use. S D Med 2023;76(7):311-313.

See these in context on the Lemon Balm monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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