If you suffer from stress and anixety, a doctor is recommending you try drinking a cup of ‘healing’ herbal tea to alliviate your symptoms in just a few days.
Dr Eric Berg DC says if you do this, you should notice a different after two weeks. Dr Berg is a chiropractor and specialises in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting.
He regulalrly updates his social media accounts with informative and educational videos about various medical issues. On YouTube alone he boasts of 12million subscribes and 11.7million on TikTok
The tea he recommends people who experience nervousness and anixety to drink daily is lemon balm tea.
Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, belongs to the mint family. Its leaves give off a gentle lemon scent and are commonly used for medicinal purposes and as a seasoning in various dishes.
Lemon balm has compounds that, according to research, may provide people with soothing and relaxing sensations. It may also inhibit the growth and spread of certain viruses and bacteria.
Explaining the benefits of lemon balm tea for mental health in a recent video, Dr Berg says: “If you have anxiety stress drink one cup of this every single day.
“This specific tea has some fascinating benefits for something called Gaba. Gaba is a relaxing molecule in your brain that will make you feel serene, tranquil and calm.
“When you drink this tea your cortisol levels are going to go down to normal, so you’re going to feel really good. You’re going to be able to sleep great and you’re going to have more energy.
“But you’re going to mainly feel very, very calm and this tea is called lemon balm tea. Try it out tell me how it works for you.”
In the comment section of the video, one viewer replied: “So true, Dr Berg. I’ve tried it and it works. Thank you.”
A second penned: “This tea is my go to for anxiety. It worked 5 minutes into drinking it when I had my attack. I loved knowing that I had that to resort to instead of meds. I drove right back to the store and bought all the boxes on the shelf.
A third claimed: “Thank you, I use it every evening. So right Dr Berg. Plant it in a pot, amazing.” Another stated: “That’s true, I have that tea every day.”
In one study, researchers discovered that consuming lemon balm helped alleviate the adverse mood impacts of stress induced in a laboratory setting. Those who ingested lemon balm reported feeling more relaxed and less alert.
In 2014, a study looked at how foods with lemon balm can affect mood and cognitive function. Lemon balm was added to drinks and yoghurt with natural or artificial sweeteners. Both groups said they felt better, with less anxiety.
In a separate study, it was discovered that children who received a combined dose of lemon balm saw a 70-80% enhancement in symptoms. Lemon balm was considered a good or very good treatment by both the researchers and parents.
Although research into the benefits of lemon balm tea look promising, further studies are required to truly determine its efficacy.
It is important to note possible side effects of lemon balm, including stomach ache, due to ingesting lemon balm with food. Consume less than two grams of lemon balm a day to lower the risk of side effects, too.
It is also vital to remember that lemon balm is best used for short periods of time. A good rule to follow is to take a break for one week after using it for three weeks. It’s not recommended to use lemon balm for more than four months without taking a break.
Always speak to your doctor first before making any major diet and lifestyle changes, and check if lemon balm is suitable for you, especially if you take any of the following medications:
- glaucoma medications
- thyroid medications
- barbiturates
- sedatives
- drugs that affect serotonin
If you do suffer from stress and anxiety, be sure to book an appointment with a GP.
