Gentle enough for children over age 13, this soothing tincture is truly a balm for those trying to sleep. It is soothing to those under mental stress and has also been used traditionally to relieve digestive complaints. Consider this herb for those needing a good night’s sleep before a test, big exam or big interview.

Lemon Balm Keeps You Calm

Some call it the “Valium” of herbal medicine without the side effects.  Lemon balm is a central nervous system relaxant gentle enough for adolescents, yet effective enough for adults.  It is truly a balm for anyone who tosses and turns due to stress, and it does double duty by relieving spasms and other digestive complaints so often associated with stress and anxiety.

Lemon Yesterday and Today

Named for its mild lemon scent, lemon balm is a member of the mint family and native to the Mediterranean and areas of western Asia.  It has been used for centuries to help alleviate anxiety and is known for such far-reaching benefits as easing indigestion, inducing more restful sleep, relieving migraines and even enhancing memory!  Its medicinal value is concentrated in the leaves of the plant, which house powerful antioxidants that include flavonoids, polyphenols and monoterpenes.  Such compounds are fascinating researchers with their enormous promise for mitigating disease by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

Lemon Balm and the Brain

Lemon balm has been shown in clinical research to have many of the positive effects of prescription anxiety medications, but it is much better tolerated.  It is thought to act in a similar fashion to benzodiazepenes like Valium in that it mimics certain brain chemicals that promote relaxation and sleep.  These chemicals are also critical for supporting cognition and memory function.  Preliminary studies have already shown lemon balm to help slow cognitive decline and relieve symptoms of agitation common in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lemon Balm Aids Digestion and Fights Germs

The bounty of essential oils in lemon balm lends it the ability to relieve digestive complaints such as gas and bloating, especially when caused by anxiety.  The same essential oils also have bacteria fighting action:  researchers are studying lemon balm and other herbs high in essential oils as possible alternatives to antibiotics.

With so many benefits of lemon balm, you can stop tossing and turning and give your nerves the calm they deserve. 

Orange Naturals Tincture Advantages

All Orange Naturals tinctures are made from organic or wild-crafted herbs.  During tincture-making, our master herbalists ensure that the magic of every herb is unleashed.  The result is a medicinal version of liquid gold.  Each tincture is bursting with the healing power of nature.  Rapid absorption of a tincture taken orally allows the body to quickly begin working to restore health on every level. The body can absorb up to 98% of the medicinal components of the Orange Naturals herbal tincture since absorption takes place immediately in the mouth. In contrast, herbs taken in capsule or tablet form much first be broken down by the digestive system and thus absorption can be significantly lower.

Ingredients: Each ml contains 250 mg of organically grown lemon balm herb tops (Melissa officinalis). It is a 1:4 herb top extract in a non-medicinal base of 40% gluten-free grain alcohol and purified water.

Recommended Use: Lemon balm is used traditionally in Herbal Medicine as a sleep aid in cases of stress-related insomnia.

Directions: For best results, take lemon balm extract on an empty stomach, which means about 15 minutes before a meal or snack, or at least 1 hour after. 

For those aged 13 and over: take 3 ml, 3 times per day. 

For best absorption, squirt the tincture under your tongue and hold it there for a few seconds, then swallow. If you want to remove the alcohol, add the dosage to a half cup of freshly boiled water. The alcohol will evaporate off. Let it cool, and add honey or a splash of juice to make a yummy, stress-busting sleeptime drink!

Caution: Please consult with your healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  Definitely talk to your healthcare practitioner if your symptoms persist or worsen, or if your sleeplessness persists continuously for more than 3 weeks. It is not a good idea to consume lemon balm along with alcohol or other drugs or natural health products with sedative properties. Lemon balm can certainly cause drowsiness. Please exercise caution if you are operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle, or are involved in any activities requiring mental alertness.