Is Lemon Balm Tea Good for Stomach Aches?

Partly: lemon balm tea may be comforting for a mild, occasional stomach ache because a warm drink can feel soothing, but pain relief from the herb is unproven. You can try lemon balm tea as a drink if you enjoy it, rather than relying on it to treat the cause of pain.

When might lemon balm tea help a stomach ache?

Lemon balm tea is most reasonable to try when discomfort is mild, occasional and not accompanied by warning signs. It may be pleasant to sip, but feeling comforted by a drink is not the same as treating whatever is causing the pain.

Stomach aches have many possible causes, and symptoms alone do not reliably identify which one is responsible. A new, severe or recurring ache deserves more attention than an occasional mild one. If you are unsure whether the pain is concerning, ask a clinician for advice.

For a broader look at options, see the best drinks for stomach aches. None should replace medical assessment when pain is concerning.

How might lemon balm tea work?

Warm liquid can be comforting, and drinking it provides fluid. That may make an uncomfortable moment feel more manageable, but it does not establish that lemon balm itself relieves stomach pain.

Taking time to sit and sip a drink may also feel pleasant, especially if stress accompanies discomfort. Any improvement you notice could have several explanations, including the passage of time, so it should not be taken as proof that lemon balm has corrected a digestive problem.

If warm drinks make your discomfort worse, there is no reason to continue drinking lemon balm tea. The tea is an optional drink, not a necessary part of care for a stomach ache.

What evidence supports lemon balm tea for stomach aches?

We found no studies showing that lemon balm tea relieves stomach aches. There is also no established amount of the tea that can be recommended as an effective pain treatment.

Research on lemon balm as an ingredient would not automatically show that homemade tea works. An extract or supplement can differ from a tea in preparation and concentration, so results from one cannot simply be applied to another.

The absence of evidence cited here does not prove that lemon balm tea never helps anyone. It means there is not enough support to predict whether it will help your stomach ache, how much benefit to expect or which cause of pain it might affect. A comforting experience is possible, but a dependable treatment effect has not been established here.

How can you prepare and use lemon balm tea?

This refrigerated infusion can be served cold or gently warmed. The ingredient amount is for flavor, not a proven treatment dose. Use fresh lemon balm that is intended for eating, and use a clean pitcher for preparation.

Ingredients

• 8–12 fresh lemon balm leaves, about 5 g
• 1 litre drinking water, about 4¼ US cups

Steps

1. Rinse the lemon balm leaves under running water.
2. Add the leaves and water to a clean, covered pitcher.
3. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours to infuse.
4. Strain out the leaves and serve cold, or gently warm a portion before drinking.

Keep the infusion refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

Try a few sips first to see whether the drink feels comfortable. There is no need to finish the whole pitcher, and drinking more has not been shown to provide more relief. Stop drinking it if it makes you feel worse.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Ask a clinician before using lemon balm tea for stomach discomfort if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or before giving it to a child. Safety and an effective amount for these situations are not established here.

Also check with a clinician or pharmacist if you have a thyroid condition, take thyroid medication, or use sedatives or sleep medicines. Possible interactions are not well established; continue prescribed medicines unless your clinician advises otherwise. If you have a diagnosed digestive condition, ask your clinician about new or recurring pain rather than trying to manage it with tea alone.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening pain, a rigid or very tender abdomen, blood in vomit or stool, black tarry stool, or pain accompanied by fainting. Seek prompt medical advice if you have persistent vomiting, cannot keep fluids down, have signs of dehydration, or have pain with a fever.

Contact a clinician if the pain persists, keeps returning or concerns you, even if it initially seemed mild. If you develop swelling or trouble breathing after drinking lemon balm tea, seek emergency help.