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It’s not a secret that stress and its negative side effects can have detrimental consequences on your health and wellbeing. If you’re looking to reduce stress, you need to know about lemon balm tea. When you’re stressed, nothing is ok and even the smallest problems seem like huge obstacles. Your mind is spinning in all directions and you feel overwhelmed with every little thing. Sound familiar? I’m saying this speaking from my own experience, which I will detail a bit later on.
To maintain your health and sanity, learn ways to reduce stress immediately. There are various things you can do, but one of my go-tos is lemon balm tea. This anti-stress tea is a lifesaver and I’m convinced, it’s one of the best teas for stress. I am super excited for you to try it. In addition to reducing stress, lemon balm tea has other health benefits, ranging from boosting cognitive function to supporting digestion. Find out all about this calming tea and get ready to sip your stress away and take your life back! Let’s get into it!
What is Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is made from the leaves of the lemon balm plant, scientifically known as Melissa Officinalis. Originally from the Mediterranean region, lemon balm tea is known to be a soothing, aromatic beverage and has been around for many centuries. Ancient cultures, from the Greeks to the Romans, were well aware of the “secret” health benefits associated with lemon balm. They used it for its ability to uplift spirits, soothe the soul and promote overall wellbeing.
Lemon balm contains natural compounds that work together and are known to have a favorable effect on the mind and body. These compounds include:
- Essential oils: Lemon balm leaves contain essential oils rich in compounds such as citronellal and geranial,, which give the tea its distinct lemony aroma and flavor.
- Polyphenols: Lemon balm is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds, including rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. These antioxidants have been associated with various health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress.
- Terpenes: Lemon balm leaves also contain terpenes like limonene and geraniol, which contribute to the plant’s unique fragrance and potential therapeutic effects.
- Tannins: Lemon balm tea may contain tannins, natural plant compounds that can have astringent properties and give the tea a slightly bitter taste.
If you enjoy drinking herbal teas, you will have no problem enjoying this naturally caffeine free, calming tea that has a slight zesty flavor.
The Benefits of Lemon Balm Tea
For me, lemon balm tea is one of the best teas for stress, simply because that’s what I drink it for. However, this all natural tea has many health benefits that you will enjoy as you drink it. Here is a summary of some of these benefits:
- Stress relief: As said, lemon balm tea is renowned for its calming properties, helping to lower stress, anxiety, and promote relaxation.
- Improved sleep: The tea may aid in improving sleep quality, allowing for more restful and rejuvenating nights.
- Cognitive enhancement: Lemon balm tea has been associated with improved focus, concentration, and mental clarity, helping to enhance cognitive function.
- Digestive support: It may soothe digestive discomfort, reduce bloating, and promote healthy digestion.
- Mood elevation: Lemon balm tea is believed to have mood-boosting effects, contributing to a sense of well-being and emotional balance.
- Antioxidant activity: The tea contains antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals.
- Immune support: Lemon balm tea may provide immune-supporting properties, helping to strengthen the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Some research suggests that lemon balm possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate inflammation-related conditions.
- Cold and flu relief: It is believed that lemon balm tea can provide relief from symptoms associated with the common cold and flu, such as congestion and cough.
- Antiviral properties: Lemon balm has been studied for its potential antiviral effects, particularly against certain strains of herpes viruses.
See how others experience the benefits of lemon balm tea, and read the Amazon reviews for this tea. Almost 5,000 people have rated this tea and with 4.5 stars out of 5. This should give you a good idea of how good this tea really is. Also, keep in mind, individual experiences may vary, and it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.
How To Make Lemon Balm Tea
There are many brands of lemon balm tea available. The one I enjoy and have a great experience with is from the brand FullChea. Their tea is caffeine free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and additive-free, and comes in a big resealable bag that contains 40 tea bags. Although lemon balm is also available as loose leaf tea, the one I purchase from FullChea on Amazon come in pyramid-shaped, filter nylon tea bags that can instantly be used. Here is step-by-step how I make the perfect cup of tea:
- Place a tea bag into your favorite tea cup or mug.
- Bring at least 8 oz. of water to a boil (about 195-205 degrees F).
- Pour the hot water over the tea bag and steep it for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag from the liquid
- Add honey for sweetness if desired (optional). (please note, in the photos above the tea looks like green tea, due to the cup it’s brewed in. In reality, the tea has more of a golden-yellow hue.)
When to Drink Lemon Balm Tea
When or how often you drink lemon balm tea is really up to you. Listen to your body to anticipate when to drink the tea. Drink it around the same time each day and make it part of your everyday me-time routine, or like me, drink it whenever you feel you could use a little relaxation or stress relief. If I anticipate a stressful day ahead of me, I start my day with a cup to this tea. If suddenly throughout the day, I start feeling stressed from everything going on around me, I brew a quick cup of the tea to reduce that stressful/anxiety feeling.
Some weeks I drink the tea daily and other times, days go by before I reach for the tea. It really differs. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, drink lemon balm as a bedtime tea. It’s recommended to drink a cup of tea about 30 minutes before bedtime. Your body will have enough time to metabolize the tea and trigger feelings of relaxation that are needed for that perfect night of restful sleep.
How Fast Does the Stress Tea Work?
I can only speak on my own experience with lemon balm tea. When I drink the tea, I’d say it takes about 20-30 minutes before I feel a lot less stressed than I did before drinking the tea. After dinking it, I often catch myself thinking “Wow, this tea is amazing, because I don’t feel any stress anymore.” Additionally, as my day continues, the tea arms me against future stressors. Things that would’ve stressed me out had I not drank the tea, don’t seem to face me or cause additional anxiety. Drink the tea yourself to see how you experience it.
Why I Drink Lemon Balm Tea
Last year was super stressful as I combined work and social media on a super high level. Being the overachiever that I am, I wanted to do it all. Brand deals, collaborations, blogging, vlogging, events, you name it, I did it. Naturally, meeting expectations is bound to become stressful. I went days without sufficient sleep, my diet was horrible if I even remembered to eat, and to top if all off, I convinced myself that I was fine. I was everything but fine.
Everything came to a screeching halt when my hair started to fall out. Handful came out when I washed or combed my hair and I did everything I could think of to combat the loss. Fortunately I was blessed with lots of hair, so the damage was not immediately visible to others. However, lots of hair also meant that there was so much more hair to loose. I have pictures of the damage, which I will post in a future blog about this. The entire time I was going through this, I felt this tension in my body that I just couldn’t get rid of.
I tried Yoga and meditation, but when all failed, I went to the dermatologist. Long story short, she said I had telogen effluvium, which is basically temporary hair loss that occurs due to a past severe stressor(s). Again, I will do a future post detailing all about this since I know there are many people out there suffering from this same issue.
Armed with the new knowledge I now had, I researched everything under the moon about stress relief. While working on restoring my hair, I vowed not to let my health and hair suffer like that again. I started wearing my hair curly a lot because it required less styling (and less heat styling). I even developed a solid curly-hair routine that I was super happy with. Needless to say, I wanted to be prepared for when high stress would hit me again, which in today’s life, is almost inevitable. This is how I stumbled on lemon balm tea. When I read the reviews on Amazon, I though it was too good to be true. However, I was willing to try anything.
Needless to say, I never looked back. This is one of the best teas for stress if you ask me. I’ve tried many things, some of which I might feature in future blogs, but by far, this tea has been the best thing I’ve tried. This tea is now a stapple in my life and I always make sure I have it on hand in my pantry. I love that it’s all natural and like the taste of the tea, much more so than other stress relief teas, such as chamomile tea or lavender tea.
The Negative Effects of Stress
To realize how stress can impact your health and wellbeing, understand what effect it can have on your health. The impact of stress goes much further than you may think. Stress is just one of the factors that can trigger other issues that can escalate over time. Once you realize how serious these effects are, you may be more inclined to prevent or combat stress. Following is a summary of some common side effects:
- Physical health: Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to various physical health issues, including headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and digestive problems.
- Mental health: Prolonged stress and anxiety can contribute to the development or worsening of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and panic attacks. They can also lead to feelings of overwhelm, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
- Sleep disturbances: Stress and anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, making it challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. This can result in fatigue, daytime drowsiness, and a decrease in overall well-being.
- Impaired cognitive function: When stress and anxiety become overwhelming, they can impair cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and decision-making. This can affect productivity, academic performance, and overall cognitive functioning.
- Emotional well-being: Stress and anxiety can contribute to a range of negative emotions, including irritability, mood swings, restlessness, and a general sense of unease. They can also diminish the ability to experience joy and lead to a decrease in overall emotional well-being.
- Relationship strain: Persistent stress and anxiety can strain relationships, leading to increased conflicts, reduced communication, and emotional distance from loved ones.
- Decreased quality of life: The cumulative effects of stress and anxiety can diminish overall quality of life. They can limit enjoyment of activities, decrease motivation, and hinder personal growth and fulfillment.
Effective Ways to Reduce Stress or Anxiety
Drinking lemon balm tea is just one way you can reduce stress or anxiety. Of course, there are plenty more enjoyable and effective ways to help you find your Zen. Sometimes a combination of these works best. Check out these fun strategies to lower stress and anxiety:
- Dance it out: Put on your favorite tunes and bust a move! Dancing is not only a great workout but also a fantastic stress-buster that can boost your mood and release tension.
2. Enjoy a bubble bath: Treat yourself to a luxurious bubble bath. Light some scented candles, play soothing music, and wash away your stress as you indulge in a blissful moment of self-care.
- Get crafty: Unleash your creativity by engaging in arts and crafts. Paint, draw, knit, or try any other craft that appeals to you. The process of creating something with your hands can be incredibly therapeutic and a wonderful distraction from stress.
- Practice deep breathing: Take a moment to focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Deep breathing helps activate your body’s relaxation response, promoting a sense of calm.
- Have a laughter session: Laughter truly is the best medicine! Watch a funny movie, spend time with friends who make you laugh, or even try laughter yoga. Laughter releases endorphins, our body’s natural feel-good hormones, and helps reduce stress.
- Go for a nature walk: Step outside and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Take a leisurely stroll in a park or forest, breathe in the fresh air, and let the soothing sights and sounds of nature work their magic on your mind.
7. Play with a furry friend: Spending time with animals can be incredibly soothing. Play with your pet or volunteer at an animal shelter. The unconditional love and joy they bring can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
- Practice mindfulness: Engage in activities that promote mindfulness, such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi. These practices can help you stay present, cultivate inner peace, and reduce stress.
- Connect with loved ones: Reach out to friends or family members who uplift your spirits. Share a laugh, have a heartfelt conversation, or simply spend quality time together. Social connections provide support and a sense of belonging, reducing stress.
- Treat yourself: Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. It could be reading a book, listening to music, taking a long bath, or indulging in a hobby. Prioritizing self-care and doing things you love can help reduce stress and promote well-being.
Remember, finding what works best for you may involve some trial and error. Embrace these enjoyable activities, and let them bring a sense of lightness and joy to your life as you navigate the journey of stress reduction.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the stress relieving benefits of lemon balm are effecting and amazing. I recommend the tea to everyone who looks like they could use some relaxation and calmness. Although there are other teas that have similar benefits, I haven’t tried them all to speak on them. I enjoy the pleasant taste of this herbal tea and would drink it even if it didn’t have the added benefits or calmed my nervous system the way it does. I am very happy to have found this tea because it really works for me and I don’t have to resort to any other stress relievers. The best way to see if it will work for you, is to just try it. Before you do, please consult with your doctor to ensure it’s ok, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
All content on kimberlyworldwide.com is solely for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for personal, health or medical advice. Before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, skincare or exercise routine, always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified professional.
It sounds beyond perfect for me. I love almost every tea. Plus these benefits are spot on.
This tea has been such a lifesaver to me. I cannot say enough good things about it.
Your post is timely! I say that because I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. It seems like I am dealing with several “major” things lately and it doesn’t feel too good in my brain. I feel high strung at times and while I do my best not to take it out on others, I can tell I want to lash out. I have not heard of lemon balm tea before but it looks like it has a lot of benefits. I need to try this and hope that it helps.
Maureen
I can so relate to how you feel. I have been there. Last year was super stressful for me. I tried everything under the sun to get rid of this feeling. This tea, which I was skeptical about at first, was such a lifesaver. It seems too simple, but it works every time.
Oh, I need to try this! I already drink peppermint tea to help with the migraines I get, but drinking the lemon balm to reduce stress may help that as well.
Migraines run in my family too. My doctor recommended Vit B2 (riboflavin) as a natural preventive method. However, for stress, this tea is my go-to. I am brutally honest when it comes to products I review and recommend, and so far, I don’t have a negative thing to say about this tea, because it just works.
Lemon balm is one of the most powerful herbs for stress and anxiety. It’s been used in our healing tradition for centuries. You can make cold tea with it also during the hot summer days. Great stuff 🙂
Thank you for confirming my thoughts LOL. I agree with you completely. I have yet to try it cold. Thanks for the tip.
Ive heard about the many benefits of this leamon balm tea. It’s time to try it out.
Let me know how you like it when you do Beth.
Wow – this sounds life changing! I really could use some of these stress relieving benefits of lemon balm tea. Definitely going to give it a try!
I haven’t been so excited about a product in a long time. This tea just does what it says. Simple as that.
It is nice to know there are so many great benefits of lemon balm. I had no idea there were so many wonderful ways to support health with this tea.
Yes, there are many benefits. I’ve used it solely for stress though, but it’s nice to know these additional benefits come with it.
Ooohhhh…I only know a little lemon that is pressed in my cup of sugarless tea. It’s time to try out this one, too. Thanks for sharing about it.
Aside from the benefits that come with lemon balm tea, this tea has a nice soft flavor too. You’ll love it.
I completely agree; keeping stress levels under control is so important. Maybe trying out some tea could help me!
Try it and thank me later. Everyone who follows me know…. I’m not one to recommend just anything. I’m super critical!
I haven’t tried lemon balm tea, but I definitely need to! It’s important to find natural ways to help with stress.
So very true. I lvoe that this tea is all natural, but what I love more than anything is that it actually works. Just try it. You will love it.
Well-presented information. Thanks!
Thank you.
So many interesting suggestions! I do love some tea and lemon
Lemon balm was one of the first herbs I learned about many years ago when I started learning about herbal medicine. It really is a wonderful plant and so good to help with stress and anxiety. I’m so pleased to hear that you found it beneficial.
I haven’t tried this yet but it looks good and it helps with stress. Thanks for sharing this with us
Thank you for sharing valuable information about lemon balm tea and its stress-reducing benefits. Your article was informative and well-written, providing clear insights into the benefits of this herbal tea. I look forward to trying it out as a natural stress-relief remedy.
I need to pick up some lemon balm tea! Sounds so good!
I haven’t had lemon balm tea before. I drink a lot of herbal teas, but I hadn’t thought to have this in my regimen of healing / health teas. Good to know this is good for stress or relaxation.