How does lemon balm work?

Lemon balm is rich in antioxidants,^[1] some of which may help improve stress and anxiety by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain , as well as reducing oxidative stress.^[2][3] Lemon balm’s antioxidants are likely also responsible for its positive effects on blood lipids.^[2] Some, but not all, lemon balm extracts have effects on nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the lab.^[4][5] Although we know that these receptors play a role in forming new memories,^[6] it’s not clear whether lemon balm’s effect on them in the lab translates into cognitive effects in humans. Finally, in vitro research has found that in the lab, lemon balm extracts may keep herpes viruses from attaching to and entering cells, interfere with viral replication, keep the virus from aggregating into plaques, and directly affect the virus’s envelope. Some of these antiviral effects are attributable to lemon balm’s water-soluble polyphenols, notably rosmarinic acid, and some can be attributed to components of the essential oil, such as citral and citronellal.^[7]