Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a herb in the mint family used traditionally for sleep, skin, and circulation benefits. It is an antioxidant like carnitine and resveratrol.
Evidence in Graves’ Disease
- A 1980s study found that components of lemon balm could prevent thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSI) from binding to TSH receptors on the thyroid gland — the key mechanism driving graves-disease.
- A more recent case report described two women whose overactive thyroids improved with lemon balm; stimulating antibody levels also decreased, though this could have been spontaneous disease remission.
- No controlled clinical trials have been conducted. Cannot be formally recommended yet.