Lemon Balm (2004) & Insomnia

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Though the sample size was small, including 18 healthy volunteers, this study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, balanced crossover experiment, which is the top level of scientific methodology. 18 healthy volunteers received two doses of M. Officinalis extract (300 mg, 600 mg). They were tested for modulation of moods, stress measurements and cognitive performance both before they took the dose and one hour after. Then there was a 7 day washout period to make sure no traces of the Melissa remained in their physiology and a placebo was administered with the same tests.

The participants showed significantly lower negative moods effect of the stress test, higher self-ratings of calmness, and increased speed of mathematical processing with no reduction of accuracy after ingestion of the 300mg dose of Melissa.

Researchers: Kennedy, D. O., Little W, Scholey A. B.

Published: Attenuation of Laboratory-Induced Stress in Humans after Acute Administration of Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm), (2004 Psychosomatic Medicine 66 (4): 607-13.