Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD
Lemon Balm
BotanicalLast updated
AVELOR SUMMARY
Lemon balm is a GABAergic and cholinergic herb with moderate evidence for anxiety reduction and cognitive enhancement, a rare combination.
A 2004 RCT found 600mg acutely improved calmness and mathematical processing speed simultaneously.
Our research shows it inhibits GABA transaminase (increasing brain GABA) and acetylcholinesterase (increasing acetylcholine), explaining how it calms without sedating.
It also has documented activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV-1/HSV-2) in both in vitro and clinical topical use.
WHAT IT DOES
Lemon balm's rosmarinic acid works through dual neurotransmitter enhancement: (1) inhibits GABA transaminase, the enzyme that breaks down GABA, increasing GABAergic tone (anxiolytic, calming); (2) inhibits acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, increasing cholinergic tone (cognitive enhancement, memory). This dual mechanism is pharmacologically unique and explains the paradoxical improvement in both calmness and cognitive performance. Additionally, rosmarinic acid is a potent antioxidant, and monoterpene aldehydes (citral, citronellal) contribute to antiviral and antispasmodic effects.
OPTIMAL DOSAGE
Look for: Cyracos® brand (most clinical data); standardized to ≥7% rosmarinic acid; leaf extract; 300-600mg per serving
Avoid: Essential oil for oral use at therapeutic doses; unstandardized powder; products with <200mg per serving
Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.