Lemon Balm & Valerian

Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, and valerian, a woody-stemmed perennial plant, are native to the Mediterranean area and throughout eastern Europe. The two herbs share similar properties, common histories and traditional uses for many of the same conditions. Both plants have found a place in U.S. gardens as well as in commercial herb farms in North America.

History

The medicinal use of lemon balm and valerian dates to the early Greeks and Romans. Hippocrates used valerian to help him fall asleep, says James Duke, author of "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed lemon balm in wine to soothe his patients. Galen prescribed valerian to his patients to treat insomnia and epilepsy in the second century. During World War II, physicians prescribed valerian to alleviate the stress of the air raids, according to a fact sheet published by the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements.

Uses

A number of commercial herbal supplements that claim to promote healthy sleep contain a combination of lemon balm and valerian. The lemon balm/valerian combination also appears in herbal treatments that relieve anxiety.

Research

A 2006 study concluded that a lemon balm and valerian product is an effective and safe treatment for sleep disorders and daytime restlessness in children younger than 12. The study, conducted in Germany, was carried out in 207 clinics across the country and involved 918 children.
In 2004, researchers at the University of Northumbria tested the ability of lemon balm to reduce laboratory-induced anxiety. The results were promising enough for the researchers to suggest further study. In 2006, they repeated the experiment using a combination of lemon balm and valerian. The results suggested that lemon balm and valerian are effective sedatives in anxiety-producing situations.

Availability

A number of herbal supplement manufacturers offer sleep aids that combine valerian and lemon balm extracts in capsule and tablet form.

Side Effects

Both valerian and lemon balm are listed as GRAS--Generally Regarded As Safe--by the United Sates Department of Agriculture. People using lemon balm and valerian preparations report few side effects, most of them mild. Those side effects include mild stomach upset and a rare paradoxical stimulant effect. In addition, some studies have suggested that valerian may amplify the effects of other sedatives, according to NYU's Langone Medical Center website, so you shouldn't take products containing valerian if you're taking other sedatives.