Lemon Balm

Botanical name

Melissa officinalis

Also known as Melissa.

A calming herb that is useful for nervous stomachs, colic, heart spasms, relieving colds, flus, and fevers, plus a powerful antiviral, and soothing & uplifting tea for nervous tension, anxiety and depression.

Learn about Lemon Balm

Lemon balm hails from the Mediterranean, where it has been cultivated for around 2000 years! Its latin name ‘Melissa’ means ‘bee’, and it is definitely a bee attracting plant. Herbalist Avicenna recommended it “to make the heart merry”. Paracelsus claimed that Lemon Balm could completely revitalise the body, and royalty prized it to keep in good health.
Lemon balm is a common garden herb with a pleasing flavour, and is even gentle enough for children. It is a calming herb that is useful for nervous stomachs, colic as well as heart spasms. Its carminative action helps dispel gas.
The hot tea helps bring on a sweat that can help relieve colds, flus, and fevers. It is also a powerful antiviral, useful for mumps and other viral infections. Recently it has been found to be very effective in treating symptoms of herpes simplex, when used topically as an ointment, wash or poultice of fresh leaves.
Lemon balm makes a soothing & uplifting tea for nervous tension, anxiety and depression. Aromatherapists use the essential oil (or simply sniffing the tea or fresh leaves) to reduce nervousness, insomnia and depression.

Herbal Alcohol Alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

Which herbs should I use for sleep?

We have many herbs for sleep that work great on their own or in a blend. The blended teas we offer are gentle and useful when you don't know which is the exact herb to use, but if you want to learn more about the different actions of each sleep herb that would suit your condition, then we can guide you through that.

Below is a quick reference for you, or view the herb profile for further information and FAQs.

Ashwagandha - Promotes sound sleep, regular use not a quick fix.
Passionflower - Sedation and relaxing the nervous system.
Valerian - Sedation, relaxing.
Mulungu - Our most powerful sedating herb, may lead to next day drowsiness.
Skullcap - When you have a busy mind.
California Poppy - Always useful for sleep, especially when pain is the issue.
Hops - Restlessness and anxiety.
Wild Lettuce - Sedating and pain relieving.
Lemon Balm - When low mood is causing sleeplessness.
Blue Lily - Dreamy, relaxing.
Kava - Relaxing and sedating. (Particularly our Borogoru strain)
Chamomile - Gentle relaxant before bed. Soothing and nice.
Lavender - Gentle relaxant before bed. Fragrant and nice.

When should I use Lemon Balm for sleep?

A member of the mint family, Lemon balm has been traditionally used to improve mood and cognitive function, but it also has mild sedative properties. Lemon balm makes a delicious addition to bedtime tea blends, often combined with other calming herbs like Chamomile or Valerian for enhanced effects. So use this for sleep when you want to potentiate other herbs, or if your low mood is what is causing you to stay awake.

See more on Sleep.

Herbal Actions

Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic (Anti-Anxiety), Carminative, Nervine, and Sedative.

Recipes

Got a recipe? Submit it here for a chance to be featured on our blog.

Precautions

There is a theoretical possibility that it can interfere with thyroid medication, so caution should be exercised in this instance.

Shop Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

Vendor:
Happy Herb Co

Regular price $13.00 AUD

Regular price Sale price $13.00 AUD
Unit price per
Sleepy Time Herbal Tea Blend

Sleepy Time Herbal Tea Blend

Vendor:
Happy Herb Co

Regular price $20.00 AUD

Regular price Sale price $20.00 AUD
Unit price per
Stress Less Herbal Tea Blend

Stress Less Herbal Tea Blend

Vendor:
Happy Herb Co

Regular price $20.00 AUD

Regular price Sale price $20.00 AUD
Unit price per

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References

Deni Brown (2002), New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, p.235.

Kathi Keville (1991), The Illustrated Herb Encyclopedia, p.125.

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis