Plant Profile

Lemon Balm — Traditional Use

A well-documented calming nervine — the source card had no caution at all, and the one 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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