Lemon Balm Tea

Overview

Lemon balm tea is made from the leaf of Melissa officinalis L. In the EU, melissa leaf medicines are usually available as a herbal tea, and as solid and liquid forms taken by mouth. [1] The plant guide in Herbs & Botanicals is planned; this page covers the tea.

What EU regulators concluded

The EU committee concluded that, on the basis of long-standing use, melissa leaf can be used for relief of mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep, and for mild digestive disorders including bloating and flatulence. [1] In the EU, the herbal medicines committee (HMPC) accepts this kind of use as "traditional use": the effectiveness is considered plausible and the product has been used safely for at least 30 years (at least 15 within the EU), although clinical trial evidence is insufficient. That is a regulatory category, not proof from trials. [1] The committee noted a small study of melissa leaf preparations for mild to moderate anxiety and sleep disturbance in which a possible improvement was seen, but design shortcomings prevented firm conclusions. [1]

What the EU monograph describes for the tea (not a recommendation)

For adolescents over 12, adults and the elderly, the EU monograph describes a herbal tea of 1.5 to 4.5 g of the comminuted leaf in 150 ml of boiling water as an infusion, 1 to 3 times daily, and says to consult a doctor if symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks. Use in children under 12 is not recommended. [1] This describes an authorised product for the stated uses; it is not a personal recommendation. See How preparation works.

Safety

• Contraindication: hypersensitivity to the active substance. [1]
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety has not been established, and use is not recommended. [1]
• It may impair the ability to drive and use machines; affected people should not drive or operate machinery. [1]
• No side effects were known at the time of the assessment, and no interaction data were available. [1]
• Data from in vitro and animal studies indicate the water extract may inhibit the activity of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); the clinical relevance is not known. [1] If you have a thyroid condition, ask your clinician.
• Tinctures and liquid extracts containing ethanol must carry ethanol labeling in the EU. [1]

Research on the tea itself

PubMed lists 51 randomized trials mentioning lemon balm or Melissa officinalis, mostly of extracts (see Research). We do not carry extract results over to tea.