Is Lemon Balm Tea Good for Acid Reflux?

Partly, if it does not worsen your symptoms, lemon balm tea may be comforting as a warm, non-citrus drink, but it has no proven mechanism for treating acid reflux.

Can lemon balm tea help with acid reflux?

Plain lemon balm tea may be a reasonable drink to try if you enjoy it and tolerate it. Lemon balm is an herb, not a citrus fruit, and plain lemon balm tea does not require lemon juice.

That does not make it a proven remedy. Acid reflux happens when stomach contents move back into the esophagus, and there is not enough evidence to say that lemon balm tea prevents this or heals irritation. If a drink makes your symptoms worse, stop having it rather than trying to work through the discomfort.

For other options and individual triggers, see the guide to the best drinks for acid reflux.

How might lemon balm tea affect acid reflux?

A warm drink can feel comforting, and lemon balm tea made with water contributes to your fluid intake. Choosing it plain also lets you avoid adding citrus juice, which can aggravate reflux symptoms for some people. These are practical reasons to try it, not evidence that the herb corrects reflux.

Lemon balm is often associated with digestive comfort, but that broad description is not the same as an established effect on acid reflux. It has not been shown that a cup of lemon balm tea reliably reduces stomach acid, prevents stomach contents from moving upward or strengthens the muscle between the stomach and esophagus.

People respond differently to drinks. Temperature, serving size, timing and added ingredients may all affect whether a cup feels comfortable. Start with a modest serving and pay attention to your own symptoms rather than assuming that a natural drink will help.

What does the evidence say about lemon balm tea for acid reflux?

The evidence is limited. A 2025 review of medicinal plants in digestive supplements listed lemon balm among herbs used in products marketed for digestive health. The review considered plant ingredients and supplement claims; it does not establish that homemade lemon balm tea treats acid reflux.

The evidence provided does not include a clinical trial comparing lemon balm tea with a placebo in people with acid reflux. Without that kind of direct research, it is not possible to say how likely the tea is to help, which symptoms it might improve or how much would be effective.

A report about a plant extract or a multi-ingredient supplement would not automatically apply to tea made by steeping lemon balm leaves. The preparation and ingredients can differ, and a benefit for general digestive discomfort would not necessarily mean a benefit for reflux.

How should you use lemon balm tea for acid reflux?

If you want to try it, make a plain, lightly flavored cold-steeped tea and warm a serving if you prefer. This is a food preparation, not a tested treatment or a recommended therapeutic dose.

Ingredients

• 2 sprigs fresh lemon balm, about 5 g
• 1 liter water, about 4¼ US cups

Steps

1. Rinse the lemon balm under running water and place it in a clean pitcher.
2. Add the water, cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours.
3. Strain the lemon balm and pour a modest serving. Warm it gently if preferred, then let it reach a comfortable drinking temperature.
4. Keep the remaining tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours of preparation.

Sip slowly and see how you feel. Avoid adding lemon juice if acidic ingredients trigger your symptoms, and check packaged blends for other ingredients that may not agree with you. If symptoms appear after the tea, stop drinking it and consider discussing the pattern with a clinician.

For recurring reflux, other practical measures include avoiding your personal triggers and leaving time between eating and lying down. Lemon balm tea can be a beverage alongside appropriate care; it should not replace a treatment your clinician has recommended.

Who should be careful with lemon balm tea, and when should you see a doctor?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a clinician before using lemon balm regularly or in medicinal amounts; safety information is limited. Ask a child’s clinician before giving lemon balm tea as a remedy. People with thyroid disease or those taking thyroid medicines, sedatives or other regular medicines should also check with a clinician or pharmacist before regular use, because potential interactions are not well established.

Do not stop prescribed medication in favor of lemon balm tea. See a clinician if reflux symptoms are frequent, persist despite changes, or come with difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting or unexplained weight loss.

Get urgent medical help for vomiting blood, black tarry stools, or new or severe chest pain, especially with shortness of breath or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Chest pain should not automatically be assumed to be reflux.