TikTok’s Lemon Balm Tea: Is It Really A Magic Elixir?

If you’re tuned into the wellness side of TikTok, you might have noticed a specific ingredient popping up on your FYP lately. We’re talking about lemon balm: the citrus-scented herb which has long been known for its naturopathic functions, and was used as far back as the Middle Ages to help with ailments. But lately, TikTokers have rediscovered the ingredient. They’re using it to make a homemade herbal tea which devotees claim can help with everything from sleep to anxiety and (controversially) weight loss. But does the science agree? And how can you make your own at home?

Is Lemon Balm Tea Good For You?

The idea that herbal teas offer health benefits is, of course, nothing new. From green to peppermint and ginger, these types of tea are renowned for helping with everything from digestion to stress release and sleep. So what’s so special about lemon balm?

What Is Lemon Balm?

Part of the mint family, lemon balm – or Melissa officinalis – is native to southern Europe, known for its aromatic lemony scent. Thanks to its soothing and calming qualities, the herb has been used in skincare, aromatherapy and food for hundreds of years, and it often pops up in herbal tea blends. 

What Are The Benefits?

On TikTok, lemon balm has recently gained attention following claims it can result in weight loss, which many experts have debunked. Obesity and lifestyle medicine physician Deepa Sannidhi, for instance, told Women’s Health lemon balm is ‘not very potent as a weight loss agent’, pointing out that any studies on the topic were conducted on mice rather than humans.

However, lemon balm offers plenty of other perks. There’s evidence to suggest the herb can reduce stress and anxiety, such as this review from 2022, which notes that the compounds in lemon balm may have a relaxing effect. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial from 2023, meanwhile, found people who took tablets with lemon balm extract twice a day for three weeks experienced improvements in mental wellbeing and felt less stressed.

Drinking lemon balm tea might help you sleep better, too, as suggested by this study – and potentially even be a remedy for insomnia, although scientists have concluded further research is needed on that front. The herb has also long been used to help with digestion, but the evidence is mainly anecdotal here (bar one study performed on mice).

So all in all: while lemon balm tea’s weight loss-inducing properties are unfounded, there may be other benefits to drinking it. However, like all TikTok trends, this one is best taken with a pinch of salt – the ‘magic elixir’ claims don’t really stand up, but the herbal tea may help you feel less bloated, more well-rested and relaxed. If you’re dealing with recurrent indigestion or severe sleep issues, though, it’s best to see a doctor.

Getty Images

How To Make Lemon Balm Tea

The process is simple – although you will need access to a lemon balm plant. Clip the stems and remove the leaves, then wash them thoroughly. Steep the leaves in hot water for around five minutes, then strain the tea into cups, and drink it immediately (the leaves lose lots of their flavour when dried, so this tea is best enjoyed fresh). Some recipes add honey for an extra sweetener, some fresh lemon for an extra citrus kick, or fresh ginger, an ingredient lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

@monicagreeneyez29 #lemonbalm #lemonbalmrecipe #lemonbalmwellness #fyp #foodtok #see ♬ Debussy Arabesque – Isabelle Perrin

Other Ways To Use Lemon Balm

Not a tea drinker? You can also incorporate the herb into recipes. Other ways to use it include:

• Scattered over a leafy salad
• Incorporated into a homemade pesto
• As a herb topping for fish or vegetables
• As a flavouring for ice cream