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Lemon Balm

What is lemon balm?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Melissa officinalis[2]
Family Mint family (Lamiaceae)[2]
Plant type Perennial herb[1]
Flowers White or pale pink[1]
Native range Eastern Mediterranean and west Asian regions[5]

Lemon balm is a perennial herb, *Melissa officinalis*, in the mint family, grown for its lemon-scented leaves and used in traditional medicine for nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia [5].

Context

Lemon balm is an herb, *Melissa officinalis*, in the mint family, with lemon-scented leaves [2]. It is a perennial herb native to the eastern Mediterranean and west Asian regions, now cultivated widely [5]. Its flowers are white or pale pink [1]. In traditional medicine, it has been used for nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and menstrual irregularities [5]. German Commission E approved it for nervous sleep disorders and functional gastrointestinal complaints [3]. The plant also attracts bees [4].

Documented claims

  • Lemon balm is used in traditional medicine for nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and menstrual irregularities. [5]
  • German Commission E approved lemon balm for nervous sleep disorders and functional gastrointestinal complaints. [3]

Questions and answers

What is lemon balm used for?

Lemon balm is used in traditional medicine for nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and menstrual irregularities [5]. It is also approved for nervous sleep disorders and functional gastrointestinal complaints [3].

Is lemon balm like Ozempic?

The sources do not mention any comparison between lemon balm and Ozempic.

Does lemon balm help with weight loss?

The sources do not provide information on lemon balm and weight loss.

Who should not take lemon balm?

The sources do not specify who should avoid lemon balm.

Sources

  1. Lemon balm — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Lemon Balm - LiverTox - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa ... — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. LEMON BALM Definition & Meaning — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Lemon Balm: — herbsociety.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things