lemon balm tea health benefits

Lemon Balm Tea Improves Your Health in These Specific Ways

Better sleep, digestion and reduced stress are a few of the benefits

Drinking lemon balm tea has so many benefits. Lemon balm is a soothing herb that belongs to the mint family.

It has been used to relieve stress and anxiety, encourage sleep, increase appetite, relieve indigestion and other discomforts. Discomfort includes gas and bloating, as well as colic.

Melissa officinalis is the botanical name for it. Although the herb is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, it is grown all over the world.

What is lemon balm tea?

The extract and oil of lemon balm are used to spice foods and beverages.

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Chemicals in lemon balm seem to have a sedative and soothing effect. It can also slow the spread of certain viruses.

It belongs to the mint family and is a perennial herb. The leaves have a faint lemon flavor and are used to produce medicine.

Lemon balm may be used alone or in several products that incorporate multi-herb combinations.

When applied topically as a cream, lemon balm’s antiviral properties tend to accelerate the healing of cold sores and reduce symptoms. Lemon balm is an antiviral herb.

Health Benefits of Lemon Balm Tea

1. Promotes gastrointestinal health

Lemon balm can help with a variety of gastrointestinal issues that aren’t life-threatening. Some of the illnesses that people use it to treat, according to one study of studies, are:

  • Bloating
  •  stomach acid
  • Colic
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea

Lemon balm was found to help with indigestion in a small 2010 study. Thirty people with functional dyspepsia, a disorder that causes stomach pains, were examined.

Researchers served a sorbet-like dessert with or without lemon balm. They had also mixed it with another spice (artichoke, or Cynara scolymus).

Those who consumed the dessert with the herbs had less stomach discomfort than those who did not.

2. Provides antioxidants

Lemon balm functions as an antioxidant and are effective in reducing oxidative stress, according to an analysis of studies.

Lemon balm, according to the researchers, may help with oxidative stress-related conditions like:

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are examples of progressive neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Diseases in the cardiovascular system

3. Relieves PMS symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and pain during menstruation were found to be relieved in a small Iranian sample of teenage girls.

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The participants in the study were divided into two classes by the researchers. During their time, one group received 1,200 milligrams of lemon balm essence in a tablet, while the other received a placebo.

Although both groups reported a decrease in symptoms, the lemon balm group experienced substantially more relief.

Related: Here are the Best Foods to Eat During Menstruation Foods

4. Fights viral infections

Lemon balm may have antiviral effects, according to some evidence.

Researchers also study the antimicrobial properties of lemon balm tea. The study specifically looked into the application to conditions like herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2.

Certain concentrations and mixtures of lemon balm, according to the researchers, could be useful in treating the early stages of herpes infections.

Cold sores, among other diseases, are caused by the herpes virus.

Studies have found lemon balm to be effective in humans against some bacterial and fungal infections

Also, lemon balm’s antiviral activity was also addressed in another study.

Lemon balm prevented the growth of viruses that cause herpes simplex, influenza, and myxo-viruses in vitro, according to the researchers.

5. Can help improve sleep

Lemon balm with valerian, according to an older report, can help children with sleeping problems and restlessness. 

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More than 900 children took part in the study, and more than 80% said that taking the supplements helped them sleep better. 

Furthermore, 70 percent of the children reported less restlessness. Finally, the drug had no negative side effects on any of the children.

6. Reduces stress

Lemon balm can help with stress relief.

A small study looked at the impact of lemon balm-containing foods on mood and stress levels. Participants consumed lemon balm in the form of beverages and yogurt during the study.

Afterward, participants went through a stress test. The test involved multitasking and mock public speaking.

Researchers came to the conclusion that certain doses and delivery methods of lemon balm could help to relieve tension, anxiety, and depressive moods.

It’s worth remembering that the research may be biased. This is because companies that manufacture lemon balm-based goods sponsored the research.

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Until researchers can draw any conclusions about these effects, further research is needed.

Related: The Best Teas To Drink If You Have Stomach Pain

Takeaway

You can chop and apply lemon balm to salads. Or you can make it into a herbal tea with hot water and honey and even use it in skin balm as a natural mosquito repellent.

Lemon balm isn’t a substitute for any doctor-approved treatment plan currently in use, but it may be an effective option.

Before drinking this tea, talk to your doctor about your specific situation and the potential benefits and risks associated with your condition.