Is Lemon Balm Tea Good for Headaches?

Partly: lemon balm tea may help if a headache is related to mild dehydration or stress, because it provides fluid and a comforting break, not because it has a proven pain-relieving effect.

Can lemon balm tea help a headache?

A cup of lemon balm tea may be a pleasant way to drink fluids and take a quiet break when your head hurts. If dehydration is contributing to the headache, replacing fluids may help; if stress is a factor, resting may be comforting.

Neither response proves that lemon balm itself relieves headache pain. Headaches have many possible causes, including illness and migraine, so tea may not address what is causing yours. Consider it a comfort measure rather than a treatment or a substitute for medical advice.

How might lemon balm tea help?

The most straightforward way lemon balm tea could help is through hydration. A headache can occur when you have not had enough fluid, and a cup of tea adds to your fluid intake. It is reasonable to drink it if you enjoy it, though you do not need lemon balm to get the benefit of fluids.

The routine of making a warm drink and resting may also help you relax. That could be welcome when tension or stress accompanies a headache, but there is no established evidence that lemon balm tea reliably relaxes the body enough to relieve headache pain.

Lemon balm contains plant compounds that have been studied for possible calming effects. Effects suggested for the plant or a concentrated preparation cannot automatically be assumed to occur with a cup of tea. The amount of those compounds in a homemade drink can vary.

What does the evidence say about lemon balm and headaches?

There is no established clinical evidence that lemon balm tea treats headaches or prevents migraine. It is not known whether the tea reduces pain, makes a headache shorter or works better than a different comforting drink.

Without direct trials, there is also no established headache-treatment dose or reliable way to predict who might benefit. A person feeling better after drinking lemon balm tea may have improved for another reason, such as rest, hydration or the headache easing on its own.

That does not mean you must avoid the tea if you enjoy it and it is suitable for you. It does mean you should not rely on it for a severe, persistent or changing headache. For a broader look at hydration and comfort, see the best drinks for headaches.

How can you use lemon balm tea for a headache?

If you want a warm cup, prepare a commercially packaged lemon balm tea according to its label. Let it cool enough to drink comfortably, and take a break somewhere quiet if that helps you rest. Follow any precautions on the package; more tea is not known to provide more headache relief.

You can also make a cold-steeped lemon balm tea. This is a way to prepare a drink, not a tested headache remedy.

Ingredients

• 1 litre water (about 4 1/4 US cups)
• 8–12 fresh lemon balm leaves or 2 sprigs (about 5 g)

Steps

1. Rinse the lemon balm leaves under running water.
2. Add the leaves and water to a clean covered container.
3. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours, then strain if desired.
4. Keep the tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavour. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Use lemon balm that is intended for eating, and do not leave the prepared drink at room temperature for more than a few hours. There is no established amount of lemon balm tea to take for a headache.

Who should be careful, and when should you seek care?

Check with a healthcare professional before using lemon balm regularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have thyroid disease, or take thyroid medicine. Evidence about possible interactions is limited. Ask a child’s healthcare professional before giving lemon balm tea to a child as a remedy.

Lemon balm may cause drowsiness or add to the effects of sleep medicines, sedatives or alcohol. If you take medicines or have an ongoing health condition, ask a clinician or pharmacist whether it is suitable for you. Avoid lemon balm if you know you are allergic to it, and do not stop prescribed medication to use tea instead.

Seek emergency care for a sudden, extremely severe headache; a headache with confusion, weakness, a stiff neck and fever, or sudden vision changes; or a headache after a head injury. A new, severe headache during pregnancy or after childbirth also needs urgent medical attention.

Arrange a medical appointment if headaches keep returning, are getting worse, change from your usual pattern or interfere with daily life. A clinician can help assess possible causes and discuss appropriate care.