Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm).
OBJECTIVE
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is contemporaneously used as a mild sedative and/or calming agent. Although recent research has demonstrated modulation of mood in keeping with these roles, no studies to date have directly investigated the effects of this herbal medication on laboratory-induced psychological stress.


METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, balanced crossover experiment, 18 healthy volunteers received two separate single doses of a standardized M. officinalis extract (300 mg, 600 mg) and a placebo, on separate days separated by a 7-day washout period. Modulation of mood was assessed during predose and 1-hour postdose completions of a 20-minute version of the Defined Intensity Stressor Simulation (DISS) battery. Cognitive performance on the four concurrent tasks of the battery was also assessed.


RESULTS
The results showed that the 600-mg dose of Melissa ameliorated the negative mood effects of the DISS, with significantly increased self-ratings of calmness and reduced self-ratings of alertness. In addition, a significant increase in the speed of mathematical processing, with no reduction in accuracy, was observed after ingestion of the 300-mg dose.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the potential for M. officinalis to mitigate the effects of stress deserves further investigation.
Kennedy
David O
DO
Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Division of Psychology, University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. david.kennedy@unn.ac.uk
Little
Wendy
W
Scholey
Andrew B
AB
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D031334:Melissa / Q000737:chemistry*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts