Plant Profile
Lemon Balm — Traditional Use
A well-documented calming nervine — and the caution that actually applies here is about the thyroid, not the usual pregnancy boilerplate.
Cautions to Know
- Thyroid medication and hypothyroidism: Lemon balm's rosmarinic acid has a documented mechanism for interfering with TSH-receptor binding and slowing thyroid hormone signaling — it's actually been traditionally used specifically for hyperthyroidism because of this suppressive effect. The real caution runs the opposite direction from what's usually assumed: it's most relevant for anyone with hypothyroidism or on thyroid hormone replacement, where it could blunt the medication's effect, not a generic "ask your doctor about your thyroid" line. Not mentioned in the source card at all.
- Other sedatives: Can increase drowsiness when combined with other sedative herbs or medications — same general interaction pattern as this section's other calming nervines (Passionflower, Wild Lettuce).
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