Melissa herb is one of the perennial herbs that can grow in the balconies of homes, and there is evidence about its various medical benefits, especially calming stress and anxiety. In this article, we will learn in some detail about the benefits and harms of melissa herb.

What is lemon balm?

Melissa herb is one of the herbs belonging to the mint family, and its smell is similar to lemon, and it has many nutritional uses such as melissa tea, or seasoning some foods such as chicken and fish, and adding flavors to baked goods and jams.

This herb has been used medicinally since ancient times, and it is believed to have a therapeutic role for the digestive system, the nervous system, and the liver. Nowadays, it is used as an alternative treatment to improve sleep, a stimulant for the digestive system, in addition to its use in aromatherapy, and it is also used as a sedative.

Description of the herb

Lemon balm grows to a length of about 60 centimeters (two feet), and sometimes it may be more than that. In spring and summer, small flowers of light yellow color grow, and the leaves are wrinkled, similar to mint leaves, and their color varies between dark green and yellowish green. Depending on the soil and weather conditions.

Melissa herb names

Among the names of the herb melissa, or also melissa, are basil, or lemon balm, and it is known in English as Lemon balm, and its scientific name is Melissa officinalis.

Benefits of melissa herb

Among the compounds contained in this herb, a compound known as rosmarinic acid, which indicates that it has antioxidant properties to prevent cell damage, antimicrobial properties such as bacteria and viruses, and despite its common use since ancient times, there is not enough scientific evidence to support all these uses, and while Here are the most famous uses of this plant:

1. Relieve stress and anxiety

Melissa can help relieve stress and anxiety, and a small study was conducted in this regard, as the plant was added to diets to study its effect on mood and stress levels.

During this study, the herb was added to yogurt and to drinks on a regular basis, then they were subjected to tests to measure the extent of stress, such as multitasking, public speaking, and it was noted that these people improved their mood, and clearly reduced stress and anxiety after taking specific doses.

Despite the promising results of this study, more studies are needed to truly determine its effect.

2. Melissa herb for sleep

There is a belief that this plant is used to treat sleep problems and insomnia in the same way it treats stress and anxiety. Another group used a placebo.

In another study on a group of children, this herb was used with other herbs as well, and an improvement in sleep was found in more than 80% of the cases, and an improvement in the feeling of discomfort in about 70% of the children.

No children experienced side effects, though the researchers stress the importance of speaking with a doctor first before giving children any herbal supplements or medications.

3. The benefits of melissa for the colon and digestive system

There is mounting evidence that using lemon balm herb may help treat stomach disorders, indigestion, reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome, as it contains many active substances that reduce cramps and expel gas.

In a study conducted on the effect of the plant on indigestion, it was added to the cold dessert for a group of people, while the other group did not add it, and a certain type of dessert was eaten after the meal, and although in both cases the dessert helped relieve the severity of the symptoms, only the lemon balm intensified of this effect, and there are still many studies to prove it.

4. Melissa benefits for the uterus

There is research that suggests the existence of benefits for this herb to relieve cramps during the menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome, and in a study conducted in 2015 on a group of girls, a group of them took the herb, and another group took a placebo for three consecutive menstrual cycles, then the severity of the symptoms of the syndrome was noted Before menstruation, the group that took the herb reported a significant reduction in symptoms, and research is still ongoing to confirm these results.

5. Fighting viral infections and cold sores

There is some evidence indicating the presence of antiviral properties of lemon balm herb, and in one of the researches to review its effect on herpes virus type one and two, it was indicated that it may be effective in treating the early stages of herpes virus infection in the early stages. In another study in the laboratory (In vitro), the effect of the herb was observed in preventing the spread of some types of viruses such as herpes and influenza.

6. Relieve headache pain

This herb can be used to relieve pain caused by a headache, especially if it is due to tension, as its sedative properties help relax and relax the muscles.

7. Relieve nausea

In addition to its effect in treating some digestive problems, it may also help relieve the feeling of nausea, and in a review of the results of many studies in 2005, I found promising results for treating this symptom, but many of these studies used other herbs with lemon balm, and there is still an urgency More studies are required to see its effect on its own.

8. Contains antioxidants

According to scientific reviews, lemon balm contains antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and cell damage, and researchers indicate that it may help with some health conditions associated with oxidative stress such as: diabetes, and some neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular diseases.

9. Reduce inflammation

There is some evidence that melissa may help reduce inflammation. In a study, researchers supported this theory in part because it was used to treat pain and inflammation after injury. However, the mechanism of action of the herb to reduce inflammation was not established, and since this study was conducted on animals Still, human studies are important to fully support this theory.

10. Toothache relief

This herb may be used as a home remedy to relieve a toothache, due to its soothing properties.

11. Melissa benefits for depression

In a study conducted on some patients with acute and chronic symptoms of depression and anxiety, initial evidence indicated an improvement in anxiety and symptoms of depression in acute cases in particular, but due to the small number of studies and the different results there is a need to intensify research on the benefits of lemon balm. In this regard.

12. Lemon balm, pressure, and heart disease

According to a research source, a study was conducted to find out the effect of this herb on the results of echocardiography, stress test, blood pressure, and other signs of patients with chronic stable angina pectoris, and the results indicated that it may improve these matters.

Lemon balm herb damage

According to the sources, the herb is considered safe, but some studies indicated the appearance of side effects with excessive doses, such as:

• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Pain while urinating.
• Heart palpitations.
• Skin rash.
• allergy.
• Stomach disorders.

These side effects can be avoided by consuming only appropriate quantities of the herb, and by following the instructions of the doctor and pharmacist in the event that lemon balm is taken as a food supplement in the form of capsules, and the doctor must be informed of all medications taken, including:

• Glaucoma treatment medications.
• Medications for the treatment of thyroid diseases.
• Tranquilizers.
• Anticoagulants.
• depression medications

A study indicated the possibility of a risk when consuming it in the following cases:

• periods of pregnancy and lactation.
• Children under the age of 12.
• Thyroid patients.
• People taking previous medications.

How to use melissa herb

The herb can be used in several ways:

• Melissa tea: Put between a quarter of a teaspoon to a tablespoon in hot water, and you can drink it up to 4 times a day.
• Dietary supplement: capsules or tablets.
• topical preparations