What is the recommended dose of Lemon Balm?

- **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; unstandar...

Is Lemon Balm safe to take daily?

Lemon Balm is rated "Generally Safe" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Lemon Balm

MODERATE EVIDENCEBotanicalLast 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
Minimum effective dose: 300mg standardized extract
Third-party tested brands: NOW Foods, Nature's Way (Cyracos), Gaia Herbs

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SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

No critical interactions identified at standard doses.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

Theoretical/Low-Risk Interactions

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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