Easy Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis – tastes lemon tart and slightly minty.  Use this Easy Lemon Balm Tea Recipe as a mood booster to help feel more cheery.

By:  Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, Registered Aromatherapist, LMT, RYT

Easy Lemon Balm Tea Recipe Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp of fresh organically grown lemon balm leaves
• 2 cups of hot water
• Fresh squeezed lemon and honey to taste

Easy Lemon Balm Tea Recipe Instructions

Fresh leaves are much better than the dried in a tea.  Pour hot water over the leaves and steep 5 minutes.  Strain, add lemon and honey to taste, and smile while you sip.

Easy Lemon Balm Tea Recipe Research

• Memory and calmness were increased while alertness was reduced in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced-crossover study that investigated the effect of an extract of M. officinalis on 20 participants.  From:  Kennedy, D. O., Scholey, A. B., Tildesley, N. T. J., Perry, E. K., & Wesnes, K. A. (2002). Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 72(4), 953-964.
• Lavender and Melissa had neuronal depressant and anti-agitation activities. From:  Huang, L., Abuhamdah, S., Howes, M. J. R., Dixon, C. L., Elliot, M. S., Ballard, C., … & Lees, G. (2008). Pharmacological profile of essential oils derived from Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis with anti‐agitation properties: focus on ligand‐gated channels. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 60(11), 1515-1522.
• In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced crossover study of 20 healthy participants, M. officinalis helped improve cognitive performance and mood.  From:  Kennedy, D. O., Wake, G., Savelev, S., Tildesley, N. T. J., Perry, E. K., Wesnes, K. A., & Scholey, A. B. (2003). Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties. Neuropsychopharmacology, 28(10), 1871.
• In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, balanced crossover experiment of 18 healthy adults, M. officinalis at a 600 mg dose improved mood and cognitive testing, and reduced alertness.  From: Kennedy, D. O., Little, W., & Scholey, A. B. (2004). Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm). Psychosomatic medicine, 66(4), 607-613.
• A four month, parallel group, placebo controlled trial of 42 elderly people with moderate Alzheimer’s disease showed that taking an extract of M. officinalis over 4 months reduced agitation and improved cognitive function compared to the placebo.  From: Akhondzadeh, S., Noroozian, M., Mohammadi, M., Ohadinia, S., Jamshidi, A. H., & Khani, M. (2003). Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 74(7), 863-866.
• Oral intake of a lozenge containing lavender oil, hop extracts, lemon balm and oat had a calming effect.  From: Dimpfel, W., Pischel, I., & Lehnfeld, R. (2004). Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteers. European journal of medical research, 9(9), 423-431.
• A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicentre study showed improved sleep with a lemon balm and valerian blend.  From:  Cerny, A., & Schmid, K. (1999). Tolerability and efficacy of valerian/lemon balm in healthy volunteers (a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study). Fitoterapia, 70(3), 221-228.
• Cyracos®, a standardized Melissa officinalis extract, reduced symptoms of stress and insomnia in this pilot trial of participants with mild to moderate symptoms.  From: Cases, J., Ibarra, A., Feuillere, N., Roller, M., & Sukkar, S. G. (2011). Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances. Mediterranean journal of nutrition and metabolism, 4(3), 211-218.

4/11/18

This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.