Can you eat lemon balm every day?

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to WebMD, lemon balm is considered likely safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods. This raises a common question: can you eat lemon balm every day for its purported health benefits, and for how long is this truly safe?

Quick Summary

Daily consumption of lemon balm, often in tea or supplements, is generally considered safe for short-term use, offering benefits like stress reduction and improved sleep. However, long-term safety is not well-established, and it is crucial to understand potential side effects and interactions, especially with thyroid medication.

Key Points

Short-Term Safety: Eating or drinking lemon balm daily is generally considered safe for most healthy adults, particularly in food amounts or short-term supplementation (up to 6 months).
Long-Term Uncertainty: The long-term safety of consuming lemon balm daily for periods longer than six months has not been sufficiently studied and is not recommended without professional medical advice.
Medical Interactions: Lemon balm can interfere with thyroid function and may cause excessive drowsiness when combined with sedatives, so those on such medications should be cautious.
Side Effects: Possible side effects, especially with high doses, include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and increased appetite.
Consult a Doctor: It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before starting a daily lemon balm regimen, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a thyroid condition, or are taking medication.
Culinary vs. Supplements: While fresh or dried leaves in food are less concentrated and generally very safe, supplement forms and dosages require more careful consideration.

Can you eat lemon balm every day? A detailed overview

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is well-regarded for its calming effects and mild, citrusy flavor. While consuming it in moderate food amounts is generally recognized as safe, the safety and wisdom of eating lemon balm every day, particularly in supplement form, requires a closer look. The primary considerations revolve around dosage, the form of consumption, and individual health factors, such as potential interactions with certain medications.

The short-term safety of daily consumption

For most healthy adults, daily, short-term use of lemon balm is considered likely safe. Studies have shown that consuming supplements for periods of up to six months at a dosage of up to 500 mg daily is generally well-tolerated. A meta-analysis noted no side effects in people using lemon balm for 30 days or less at the correct dose. When brewed as a tea, drinking one to two cups per day is commonly considered a safe amount. These short periods are often sufficient to experience the herb’s known benefits, such as reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality.

The uncertainty of long-term use

Reliable information and extensive studies on the safety of consuming lemon balm for longer than six months are currently lacking. This uncertainty means that anyone considering extended daily use should proceed with caution and consult a healthcare professional. For some, prolonged use might lead to side effects or reduced effectiveness. There are even anecdotal reports of withdrawal-like symptoms when discontinuing lemon balm after long-term use, although more research is needed. As such, it's wise to use lemon balm for specific, limited durations rather than as a continuous, indefinite daily regimen.

Who should be cautious with daily lemon balm intake?

Certain groups of people should avoid or be particularly cautious with daily lemon balm consumption due to potential health risks and interactions. This is especially true for those with pre-existing conditions or those taking specific medications.

Thyroid Conditions: Individuals with thyroid disorders should avoid lemon balm because it may interfere with thyroid function and hormone replacement therapy. It is known to potentially reduce thyroid hormone levels, which could be harmful.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Due to a lack of sufficient safety data, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should avoid using lemon balm.
Taking Sedative Medications: Since lemon balm has sedative properties, combining it with other sedatives, such as anxiety or sleep medications, could lead to excessive drowsiness.
Upcoming Surgery: Lemon balm may cause excessive sleepiness when combined with anesthesia. It is recommended to stop using it at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Children: For children, lemon balm is possibly safe for short periods (about one month), but regular, long-term use should be avoided without medical advice.

Potential side effects of daily lemon balm

While generally mild, side effects from lemon balm can occur, especially with higher doses. Some common reported side effects include:

Headache
Nausea or abdominal pain
Dizziness
Increased appetite
Increased eye pressure (caution with glaucoma)
Allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, when applied topically or rarely, ingested

Excessive dosages or prolonged periods of intake may also lead to more pronounced effects, such as decreased alertness.

How to incorporate lemon balm safely

If you decide to incorporate lemon balm into your daily routine for a short period, consider these options:

Herbal Tea: Infuse 1.5 to 4.5 grams of dried leaves in hot water and drink 1 to 3 times daily.
Supplements: Follow package directions, with doses like 500 mg daily for up to six months generally being considered possibly safe for short-term use.
Culinary Use: Add fresh leaves to salads, smoothies, or desserts for a mild lemon flavor.

Note: The essential oil of lemon balm should not be consumed orally.

Comparison of Lemon Balm Consumption


Aspect	Daily Tea Consumption	Occasional Supplement Use	Long-Term Supplement Use
Dosage	Moderate; typically 1-2 cups (1.5-4.5g leaves)	Higher; typically 300-600mg extract	High; prolonged duration not well-studied
Formulation	Whole or dried leaves	Standardized extract capsules or tablets	Consistent, daily extract capsules
Duration	Generally considered safe short-term, but prudent to take breaks	Generally safe for short-term (e.g., 15 days for anxiety)	Safety not established beyond 6 months; not recommended
Risk of Side Effects	Low for most people	Low for most people at recommended doses	Increased risk of side effects like nausea or withdrawal symptoms
Medical Interactions	Possible, especially with sedatives or thyroid medication	Possible, especially with sedatives or thyroid medication	Heightened risk of interaction

Conclusion

While can you eat lemon balm every day seems like a simple question, the answer depends heavily on the form, duration, and your individual health. Short-term daily consumption, particularly in moderate amounts in food or as tea, is generally considered safe for healthy individuals. Many people enjoy its calming and stress-relieving properties with no adverse effects. However, for those with pre-existing conditions like thyroid issues, or anyone taking sedative medication, caution is paramount due to potential interactions. The lack of long-term safety data also means that continuous, daily use of supplements for extended periods is not recommended. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting a new herbal regimen, especially for therapeutic purposes, to ensure it's the right choice for you.

For more detailed information, consult authoritative health resources like the overview on WebMD.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new herbal supplement or changing your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most healthy individuals, drinking one to two cups of lemon balm tea daily for a limited duration (e.g., several weeks) is generally considered safe. It is always best to listen to your body and consult a healthcare provider for long-term use.

Short-term daily use may offer benefits like reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and better digestion. However, prolonged daily use beyond six months is not well-studied and could potentially lead to side effects or medical interactions.

Individuals with thyroid disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those taking sedative medications should avoid daily lemon balm intake unless advised by a healthcare professional. It should also be discontinued before surgery.

For supplements, a dose of up to 500 mg daily for up to six months has been studied. For tea, one or two cups per day is a common recommendation. Always follow the specific product's instructions and consult a doctor.

Yes, short-term daily use of lemon balm has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, often in studies lasting for 15 days or more. However, consult a healthcare provider for any long-term treatment plan.

Possible mild side effects from daily use can include headache, nausea, dizziness, or increased appetite. These are more likely with higher doses or prolonged use.

Consuming fresh lemon balm leaves in culinary amounts, such as in salads or as a garnish, is very likely safe for daily intake by most people. It is the concentrated supplement forms that require more caution regarding daily, long-term consumption.