Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon balm
For the health condition: Migraine
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. It has been valued for its calming, antispasmodic, and mild analgesic properties, and is often recommended in folk medicine for headaches, including migraines. Historical texts and traditional herbalists sometimes suggest lemon balm as a remedy for nervous tension and stress-related headaches, which may overlap with migraine symptoms.
However, there is very limited direct scientific evidence supporting lemon balm’s efficacy specifically for migraine treatment or prevention. Most modern research on lemon balm focuses on its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), sedative, and mild cognitive-enhancing effects, rather than migraine-specific outcomes. While some of these properties (such as stress reduction and muscle relaxation) could theoretically benefit migraine sufferers, clinical trials directly examining lemon balm for migraine are lacking.
In summary, the use of lemon balm for migraines is primarily supported by traditional usage and anecdotal reports. The scientific evidence base is currently insufficient to make strong recommendations for its use in migraine management.
Other ingredients used for Migraine
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
ashwagandha
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
black tea
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
Chinese salvia root
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
fish oil
ginger
ginkgo biloba
gooseberry
gotu kola
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
luteolin
magnesium
melatonin
moringa
niacin (vitamin B3)
omega-3 fatty acids
peppermint oil
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
purple butterbur root
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
almond fruit
ubiquinol
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
zinc
atractylodes
blackboard tree
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
chrysanthemum
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Albizia
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Acetylsalicylic acid
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blepharis
Balsam
Banyan
Brahmi
Butterbur
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
Chinese Silkvine
Crocin
Creatine
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Carthamus
cola nut
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Folic Acid
Flavin mononucleotide
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Flavanones
Ficus simplicissima
Frankincense
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
Ketone Salts
Little ironweed
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Other health conditions supported by lemon balm
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Gas and Bloating
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Migraine
Nervousness
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress