Lemon Balm Side Effects, Safety Warnings and Precautions

Even though the Lemon Balm herb has been used safely for thousands of years, side effects are still a valid concern for modern day users.

What was once a natural treatment for small flesh wounds and sores is now widely used as a stress-busting mood balancer.

Some worry that its calming effects are too sedating. It’s true that Lemon Balm can have negative interactions with other sedatives.

However, its benefits for mind and body make responsible use of the natural herb very attractive. We’ll explore how these benefits work in the brain, plus how you can avoid side effects of Lemon Balm with proper dosing.

Make sure you get all of the relevant info before you incorporate Lemon Balm into your routine.

Lemon Balm

Herbal Supplement

Mood

Sleep

Stress

How It Works:

• Helps to support a positive mood
• Promotes healthy sleep patterns
• Alleviates stress and boosts relaxation

Dosage:

Between 1.5 - 4.5 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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The Ancient History of Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has a good safety record, merely by virtue of the long amount of time it has been in use.

The earliest known instances of therapeutic uses were in ancient Turkey (Ephesus) and Greece. Dedicated to the Great Goddess, this minty perennial herb plant was employed in both ritual and medical practice.

It was known to heal skin wounds and other maladies of the skin. It also was widely used to promote relaxation and general happiness. Arabian traders brought the herb to Europe in the Middle Ages, and there it was employed in cure-all elixirs for illnesses ranging from headache to fever.

In modern times, the leaves of the plant are converted into teas, oils, and powder extracts for use against insomnia, PMS, high blood pressure.

We are also seeing it used more and more as a natural supplement for mood imbalances like anxiety and depression. Throughout all of the years it has been used, there has been very little written of Lemon Balm side effects.

It is a gentle plant which appears to be totally non-toxic for human use. It has never exhibited poisonous qualities – in fact it has been used in every era as an antidote to poisonous bites.

Lemon Balm’s Positive Effects

The apparent safety and tolerability of the herb is responsible for it enduring usage across many eras and cultures. The biochemical processes which the herb supports are harmonious amplifications of the brain’s natural mechanisms for controlling stress and generating calm states of mind.

The chief process which Lemon Balm enhances relates to GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid). This inhibitory chemical regulates and quiets over-firing nerves in times of stress. By releasing Rosmarinic acid, Lemon Balm supports healthy amounts of GABA in the brain.

Lemon Balm is also a safe way to enhance general cognitive functions, such as memory, verbal and logical reasoning, and sensory sensitivity. It accomplishes these things via the activation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor sites, which process the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This cholinergic effect promotes healthy growth of neural tissues and enhanced signaling capability.

Finally, Lemon Balm is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral supplement. It can heal wounds on the skin, prevent and control herpes outbreaks, and fight tissue decay from disease and illness. None of these effects result in significant Lemon Balm side effects.

Too Much Sedation – Potential Lemon Balm Side Effects

While most users will never experience any adverse effects at all from Lemon Balm, there are risks involved when taking it in conjunction with prescription medications such as anti-anxiety pills, muscle relaxers, or anti-psychotics. Some of the brand names which conflict with Lemon Balm extract include Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax.

These narcotic drugs produce heavy sedation, and when combined might induce dangerously low blood pressure or slow heart rate. Such combinations should be avoided. Otherwise, Lemon Balm side effects remain a non-issue for standalone use.

Proper Dosage to Avoid Negative Effects

While Lemon Balm on its own is considered very tolerable and safe, it is still a good idea to stay within general dosage recommendations.

A good median dose is 300 mg – 500 mg per day. This amount may be split into multiple servings, or taken all at once for more acute stress relief.

Daily totals of as much as 2 grams are still quite safe and will not produce unwanted side effects. However, doses over that amount may result in stomach upset and slight dizziness.

To accentuate relaxation effects, it would be better to combine Lemon Balm with other remedies, such as Valerian root or 5-HTP, to create safe, synergistic stress relief benefits.

Should You Incorporate Lemon Balm Into Your Routine?

As long as the above dosage indications are respected, there is no reason to fear Lemon Balm side effects. On the contrary, the benefits of taking a daily form of the supplement are substantial. It can reduce stress from work or school, enhance memory and logic abilities, and soothe the symptoms of anxiety.

Lemon Balm also has excellent healing tendencies, and can repair flesh wounds as well as prevent decay from viruses or bacteria.

For these reasons, we often see Lemon Balm incorporated into natural mood and wellness supplements such as New Mood. With little to no serious side effects reported, Lemon Balm can help bring excellent emotional balance. Already used for thousands of years, Lemon Balm is poised to join the growing list of modern cognitive enhancement supplements suitable for daily use.

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