Lemon Balm As a Sleep Remedy

Lemon balm, a mint, has soothing, sedative properties. It will help you sleep. Lemon balm has long been used to promote sleep as well as ease digestive problems, including bloating, gas and colic, and as a means of reducing anxiety and stress.

How it Works

• Lemon balm contains eugenol, an oily liquid obtained from clove oil, bay leaf, basil, cinnamon and lemon balm. Eugenol kills bacteria, calms spasms and numbs tissues. Essential oils from the lemon balm plant contain terpenes, chemicals that provide the plant's antiviral and relaxing effects.

In Combination

• When combined with other herbs, such as chamomile, valerian or hops, lemon balm can help you "chill out" and relax. When used as a topical agent, it treats oral herpes (cold sores.)

Sedative

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, to use lemon balm to induce sleep, drink tea that consists of 1/4 tsp. to 1 tsp. of dried lemon balm herb, steeped in hot water. Drink it up to four times each day. You can also take dried lemon balm in capsules (300 to 500 mg) three times a day. Lemon balm is available as lemon balm tea and as a supplement or in combination with other herbs.

Other Uses

• Lemon balm can also treat fever, earaches, bronchial inflammation and gas. It soothes menstrual cramps, PMS symptoms and toothaches. It soothes wounds, tense muscles and skin eruptions. Some believe that it is a good treatment for baldness, high blood pressure, vomiting, mood disorders, heart palpitations and influenza.

Follow Directions

• Follow the directions precisely when taking lemon balm orally, notes Medicinenet.com. If lemon balm promotes too much drowsiness quit taking it. Do not drink alcohol while ingesting lemon balm because it will intensify drowsiness. If you have an alcohol dependence, liver diseases or diabetes, some lemon balm products contain sugar and or alcohol.