Cyracos Lemon Balm Extract
Also known as: Lemon balm, Melissa, Cyracos, Melissa officinalis
Overview
Lemon balm (_Melissa officinalis_) is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family, renowned for its calming effects and potential role in managing anxiety and sleep disorders. Equipped with an array of phenolic compounds, including significant levels of rosmarinic acid and hydroxycinnamic acids, standardized extracts such as Cyracos™ have been developed for therapeutic use. Traditionally, lemon balm has been used to alleviate stress and promote relaxation, and it is increasingly studied for its applications in cognitive health, depression, and anxiety management. Emerging evidence from clinical trials and systematic reviews supports its efficacy, though more robust studies are warranted to further define its full spectrum of benefits and optimal usage.
Benefits
Lemon balm exhibits a variety of evidence-backed benefits. Primarily, it has demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety and depression scores in clinical populations, with effect sizes indicating considerable clinical significance. For example, a systematic review indicated that lemon balm significantly improved anxiety scores (SMD: -0.98) and depression scores (SMD: -0.47). Additionally, studies have shown improvements in sleep quality when using a dose of 300 mg twice daily over 15 days in individuals with anxiety-related sleep disturbances. Secondary benefits include potential cognitive enhancements and reduced agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s. While evidence primarily supports usage in adults with anxiety and sleep issues, the mechanism of action through GABA modulation is promising for broader applications.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action attributed to lemon balm is its interaction with the GABAergic system. The active compound rosmarinic acid inhibits GABA transaminase (GABA-T), leading to increased levels of GABA in the brain, which produces calming effects. Furthermore, this herb influences several neurotransmitter pathways, integrating into the central nervous system to exert anxiolytic and mild sedative effects. This modulation of neurotransmitter activity suggests its potential utility in treating stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
Side effects
Lemon balm is generally well tolerated with minimal reported adverse effects in clinical studies. Common side effects, if any, are not consistently documented, with very few instances of mild discomfort, possibly due to the lack of adverse reporting in higher-scale studies. While rare side effects are not observed, special caution is warranted in pregnant or lactating women due to limited safety data. Furthermore, no significant drug interactions have been identified, though individuals are urged to consult healthcare providers regarding concurrent medication use. As always, monitoring for personal sensitivity is advisable during supplementation.
Dosage
The effective dosing range for lemon balm, particularly Cyracos™, is significantly variable, typically ranging from 600 mg to 1,600 mg daily. Clinical evidence supports a minimum effective dose of approximately 600 mg per day. The standardized extract, containing essential active compounds like rosmarinic acid, should be administered twice daily. While higher doses up to 1,600 mg have been well studied, specific timing beyond this bi-daily recommendation is not deemed critical. Importantly, no upper maximum limit is established, emphasizing the need for individualized adjustments based on response and tolerability.
FAQs
How long does it take to see effects?
Benefits on anxiety and sleep quality can typically be observed within 15 days of starting supplementation.
Is it safe for long-term use?
Short-term usage has been documented as safe, but long-term safety data remains limited.
Can it be used with other medications?
While no significant drug interactions are documented, caution is suggested until more evidence is available.
What is the best time to take it?
No specific timing is advised; it is generally taken twice a day.
Is lemon balm a cure for anxiety?
Lemon balm may help alleviate anxiety symptoms, but it is not considered a cure.
Research Sources
- https://healthnutritionhub.givaudan.com/ingredients/cyracos – Cyracos™ is a standardized lemon balm extract designed for enhanced efficacy, containing high levels of rosmarinic acid and supported by clinical evidence showing significant effects on anxiety and sleep disturbances.
- https://www.drugs.com/npp/lemon-balm.html – An extensive review of lemon balm's pharmacological properties, highlighting its calming effects and potential roles in treating anxiety, depression, and sleep issues based on clinical data.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.661778/full – Meta-analysis examining several randomized clinical trials that collectively demonstrate lemon balm's effects on reducing anxiety and depression scores, emphasizing the need for further quality studies.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34449930/ – Randomized controlled trial showing significant stress reduction and improved sleep quality in subjects using lemon balm over a 15-day period, framing clinical relevance.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20171069/ – Research study documenting the positive impact of lemon balm on anxiety-like behaviors in animal models, confirming its potential for future applications in human studies.