May help treat cold sores and relieve indigestion

If you have recurrent stomach pain and discomfort, lemon balm may help you with your digestion. In 2010, short research looked at the benefits of a cold dessert containing lemon balm on functional dyspepsia. Following a meal, participants ate a sorbet with or without the herb. Although both types of desserts reduced the severity and frequency of the symptoms, the lemon balm dessert amplified this effect. More investigation is required.

At the first indication of a cold sore, use lemon balm topically. In a 1999 trial, participants applied a lemon balm or placebo cream to the afflicted region four times each day for five days. The researchers discovered that people who used the lemon balm ointment had fewer symptoms and recovered faster than those who did not. The researchers also proposed that applying lemon balm ointment may assist to extend the time between cold and sore breakouts. More research is needed to build on these findings.