Meta Information

ID:lemon-balm

Name:Lemon Balm

Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

• Melissa officinalis

Intervention Type

therapeutic_agent

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:

10

High Cost:

30

Cost Type:

monthly

Description:

Cost for a 30-day supply of standardized extract capsules.

Summary

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb primarily known for its calming effects. Its main bioactive compounds, like rosmarinic acid, are thought to increase GABA levels in the brain by inhibiting the GABA transaminase enzyme, leading to reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality. From a healthspan perspective, its value lies in mitigating the systemic, pro-aging effects of chronic stress and poor sleep.

Purpose

A calming botanical for reducing stress and improving sleep quality.

Card Summary

A calming herb (Melissa officinalis) primarily used to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and support cognitive function by modulating GABA activity.

Drug Class

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:

4.5

Justification:

Targeted benefits for stress reduction and sleep quality, not a core aging pathway.

Evidence

Grade:

B

Score:

6.5

Justification:

Multiple small human RCTs show benefits for mood, stress, and cognition.

Safety

Score:

2.5

Justification:

Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) with a long history of human use.

Flags

• May interact with sedatives, GABAergic drugs, and thyroid medications.
• May cause drowsiness; avoid operating heavy machinery until effects are known.
• Efficacy is dependent on extract standardization (e.g., for rosmarinic acid).

Verdict

A safe, evidence-backed option for managing stress and improving sleep quality.

Created

2026-04-26T17:45:54.037525Z

Model

Gemini 3.1 Pro (High)

Delivery

Route:

oral

Scope:

• systemic

Indication

Focus:

healthspan

Description:

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb primarily known for its calming effects. Its main bioactive compounds, like rosmarinic acid, are thought to increase GABA levels in the brain by in...

Typical Protocol

• Take 300-600 mg of a standardized extract (e.g., 5% rosmarinic acid) once or twice daily.