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Lemon Balm

 

Lemon balm—supports relaxation, calm, sleep and cognitive function. 

What is lemon balm? 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a fragrant member of the mint family. Its lemon-scented leaves have a long history in European herbal preparations, particularly drinks associated with relaxation and winding down. 

How does lemon balm work? 

Lemon balm has one of the more unusual GABA mechanisms among SENTIA botanicals. Laboratory research found that an extract of lemon balm inhibited GABA transaminase, or GABA-T—an enzyme involved in breaking GABA down. [1] 

Of the botanical extracts examined in that study, lemon balm produced the strongest GABA-T inhibition. That is different from directly acting on a GABA-A receptor. Instead, it interacts with part of GABA metabolism—the biological processes by which GABA is made, used and broken down. GABA transaminase is one of the enzymes that breaks GABA down. Inhibiting it can slow that process, helping GABA remain available in the system for longer. 

Think of it as another route into the same biological conversation. Human studies with specific lemon balm preparations have also explored mood and cognitive performance. [2] 

Why does SENTIA use lemon balm? 

This is what makes neurobotanicals interesting: nature rarely uses just one mechanism. Magnolia compounds interact with GABA-A receptors. Passionflower has been studied around GABA uptake. Lemon balm brings enzyme biology into the picture. 

Different plants. Different chemistry. One much bigger system. 

Which SENTIA products contain lemon balm? 

 

Lemon Balm FAQs 

- What part of lemon balm does SENTIA use? 
SENTIA uses lemon balm leaf. 

- What is GABA transaminase? 
GABA transaminase is an enzyme involved in breaking GABA down. 

- Does lemon balm act directly on GABA-A receptors? 
The cited research instead focuses on inhibition of GABA transaminase, so it represents a different GABA-related mechanism. 

Sources 

[1] Awad et al. Effects of traditionally used anxiolytic botanicals on enzymes of the GABA system, 2007. 
[2] Kennedy et al. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis, 2002. 
[3] Nutt et al. Functional Alternatives to Alcohol, Nutrients, 2022.Â