●What is Lemon Balm Extract ?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), also known as honey balm, is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family, native to Europe, Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. Its leaves have a unique lemon aroma. The plant was used for sedation, antispasmodics and wound healing as early as the ancient Greek and Roman periods. It was used as a “holy herb for tranquilization” in medieval Europe. Modern preparation technology extracts active ingredients from the leaves through steam distillation, supercritical CO₂ extraction or bio-enzymatic hydrolysis to make standardized extracts (such as Relissa™), which are widely used in the fields of medicine, food and cosmetics.
The core ingredients of lemon balm extract include:
1. Phenolic acid compounds:
Rosmarinic acid: The content is as high as 4.7%, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It increases the concentration of GABA in the brain by inhibiting GABA transaminase and relieves anxiety.
Caffeic acid: It synergizes with rosmarinic acid to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), reduce angiogenesis and adipocyte differentiation, and has potential therapeutic effects on obesity.
2. Terpenes and volatile oils:
Citral and citronellal: give lemon balm a unique aroma, have antibacterial and estrogen-like effects, and can regulate female menopausal symptoms.
Flavonoids: such as rutin, strengthen capillary function, assist in anti-aging and cardiovascular protection.
● What Are The Benefits Of Lemon Balm Extract ?
1. Neuroprotection And Mood Regulation:
Anti-anxiety and sleep aid: By inhibiting GABA degradation and monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) activity, serotonin and dopamine levels are increased. Clinical trials have shown that 400 mg/day of Relissa™ can reduce anxiety scores by 50% and improve sleep quality by more than 3 times.
Cognitive enhancement: Protect hippocampal neurons from oxidative stress damage and delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Antioxidant And Anti-Aging:
The ability to scavenge free radicals of lemon balm extract is 4 times that of vitamin E, significantly reducing DNA damage and telomere shortening. A 2025 study showed that it can reduce β-galactosidase activity in aging cells and extend telomere length.
3. Metabolic And Cardiovascular Health:
Regulate blood sugar and blood lipids, reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic mice, and inhibit liver gluconeogenesis.
Improve vascular permeability and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
4. Antibacterial And Antiviral:
Lemon balm extract has a significant inhibitory effect on HSV-1/2 virus and Staphylococcus aureus, and can be used for oral care and skin infection treatment.
●What Are The Applications Of Lemon Balm Extract ?
1. Medicine And Health Products:
Neurological health products: such as Relissa™ standardized extract, used to improve sleep and mood disorders, won the NutraIngredients Cognitive Health Award in 2024.
Anti-aging supplements: Develop oral anti-aging preparations for telomere protection and DNA repair.
2. Cosmetics And Personal Care:
Anti-allergic repair skin care products: Add 0.5%-2% lemon balm extract to essences and creams to relieve red bloodshot and photoaging.
Hair care products: Repair damaged hair and reduce scalp inflammation. High-end brands such as L’Oreal have incorporated it into the formula.
3. Food Industry:
Natural preservatives: Replace chemical preservatives and extend the shelf life of oily foods.
Functional beverages: As a calming ingredient, used in stress-relieving drinks and sleep-aiding tea bags.
4. Exploration Of Emerging Fields:
Pet health: Relieve animal anxiety and skin inflammation, and related products in the North American market have an annual growth rate of 35%.
Anti-obesity treatment: Reduces fat accumulation in obese model mice by inhibiting adipose tissue angiogenesis.
●NEWGREEN Supply Lemon Balm Extract Powder
Post time: May-26-2025
