What are lemon balm’s main drawbacks?

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As might be expected given its 2,000-year history of traditional use as a food, tea and medicine, lemon balm has an excellent safety track record. No serious negative effects have been associated with lemon balm to date.[1] The flip side of lemon balm’s calming, sedative effect, however, is that it may reduce alertness.[2][3][1]

⚠️ Caution

Lemon balm may reduce alertness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking lemon balm or any other supplement with a sedative effect. Do not take lemon balm during the day. Combining lemon balm with medications that cause sedation or drowsiness may be especially dangerous.

Other things to be aware of:

  • People with glaucoma should use care because of anecdotal reports that lemon balm may increase intraocular pressure.[2][1]
  • People with thyroid conditions should use care because of the theoretical possibility of lemon balm affecting thyroid hormone levels.[4][5][6][7][8]
  • People who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) should be aware of the theoretical possibility that lemon balm could reduce their effectiveness.[3][1]
References
1.^Draginic N, Jakovljevic V, Andjic M, Jeremic J, Srejovic I, Rankovic M, Tomovic M, Nikolic Turnic T, Svistunov A, Bolevich S, Milosavljevic IMelissa officinalis L. as a Nutritional Strategy for Cardioprotection.Front Physiol.(2021)
2.^Ulbricht C, Brendler T, Gruenwald J, Kligler B, Keifer D, Abrams TR, Woods J, Boon H, Kirkwood CD, Hackman DA, Basch E, Lafferty HJ, Natural Standard Research CollaborationLemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.J Herb Pharmacother.(2005)
3.^Posadzki P, Watson L, Ernst EHerb-drug interactions: an overview of systematic reviews.Br J Clin Pharmacol.(2013 Mar)