The aroma provides a calm and uplifting effect on the mood and is mostly found in skincare products

Lemon Balm is a pleasant lemony, fresh and sweet smelling essential oil from the leaves and flowers of a European mint plant. The aroma provides a calm and uplifting effect on the mood and is mostly found in skincare products. There is an Australian version that is a little more zingy from the Eucalypt family. 

What are the benefits of Lemon Balm?

Lemon Balm is also called ‘melissa’ and is frequently found in skincare products for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties on the skin. Studies continue to show that the soothing properties of this flower are impactful on the body, emotions and mind. 

1. Calms the mood and nervous system to ease melancholy, anxiety and cognitive disorders in a study that showed lemon balm’s bioactive substances have a sedative effect and minimal side effects on participants and further research for drug use is being undertaken (1). 
2. Cheerful uplift when stress has taken over it can be helpful to inhale lemon balm to calm the nervous system and lighten the heaviness of the neck and shoulders. This means that it may even alleviate headaches that are stress-related. 
3. Antimicrobial clearing, including antiviral and antibacterial clearing, has been shown in various studies to have an 85-90% clearing of herpes virus and candida albicans (2). 
4. Soothe irritated skin when used in a carrier oil lemon balm can soothe the redness and let the swelling reduce from insect bites and allergies. This soothing anti-inflammatory quality means that it can also aid relief of acne (2). 
5. Ease breathing with the mild antihistamine effect and anti-inflammatory quality, it can be great in a diffuser or inhalation to ease breathing difficulties. 
6. Aid sleep during menopause where hot flushes result in sleep disturbance (3), and those administered with lemon balm have been seen in studies to reduce some of the symptoms and ease sleep. Insomnia has been eased in children when combined in a tea with valerian root (4). It has even been approved in Germany for sleep disorders. (5)
7. Ease Oxidative stress that contributes to diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and other diseases, but further studies need to be undertaken beyond animals. The use of lemon balm in teas can be a healthy way to consume the benefits of this flower (2).  

How to use Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm contains aldehydes which means that it can potentially cause skin irritation. To be safe, always dilute it with a carrier. It should also not be used by pregnant women or someone taking a benzodiazepine.  

Lemon Balm pairs well with lavender, neroli, geranium, bergamot, wild orange and spicy tones like nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, clove and black pepper. 

Clear the Air from antiviral and antifungal germs whilst relieving anxiety. Blend 5 drops of lemon balm with 3 drops of lemon essential oil, 3 drops of cypress essential oil and 2 of bergamot. 

Soothing an overly indulged belly, use 2-3 drops with a tablespoon of base oil (grapeseed is the gentlest) and rub into your belly very gently. 

Teas are a great way to digest the flowers of the lemon balm. The leaves from the plant can be picked like mint tea and blended with other herbs such as black tea, valerian or chamomile flowers depending on the effect desired. This can help soothe digestive issues and provide antioxidant healing qualities within the body. (5) 

To consciously cultivate a new direction with NidRa Aroma candles. The premade blends of Ene, Lio and Pho all use Australian lemon balm in the blends with the spicier base notes. 

• The candle Ene brings courage by alleviating the anxiety of taking a greater step,
• With Pho the lemon balm provides clarity to deepen one’s passions, and 
• Lio the uplifting mood effect works with the black pepper to bring the sweetness back from the lower sad moods.   

Find out your next essential oil aroma

If you are interested in one of my bespoke blends that align to your intention and energetic shifts, then let me know. A candle brings ritual, but a bottled blend may be more appropriate to your setup. So get in touch and find out! 

DISCLAIMER: 

This information is for general interest only and is not to be taken as advice: therapeutic, medical or otherwise. We do not make a claim of any therapeutic advice offered in the writing. Please seek professional advice for the appropriate use of essential oils for your situation. 

Research used for blog:

1. https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096047903&origin=inward&txGid=e10d52769a27956b65bc38a9b870f4b2&featureToggles=FEATURE_NEW_DOC_DETAILS_EXPORT:1
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871149/ 
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24199972/ 
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871149/#bibr75-2156587216663433 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lemon-balm