---
title: Does lemon balm reduce menstrual bleeding in women with PMS? | Niyora
description: No. Lemon balm alone and lemon balm combined with Nepeta menthoides did not reduce menstrual bleeding compared to placebo.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis-l-alone-and-in-combination-with-2016/
---

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- Does lemon balm reduce menstrual bleeding in women with PMS?

Randomised trial, 2016

# Does lemon balm reduce menstrual bleeding in women with PMS?

No. Lemon balm alone and lemon balm combined with Nepeta menthoides did not reduce menstrual bleeding compared to placebo.

 Moderate study design

93 female university students aged 18+ with PMS

## What they did

Triple-blind randomized trial with 93 female university students aged 18+. Three groups received either lemon balm capsules (500 mg), lemon balm combined with Nepeta menthoides (500 mg), or placebo twice daily during the luteal phase for 2 menstrual cycles.

## What they found

There was no significant difference in menstrual bleeding between the three groups at 1 month (p = 0.602) or 2 months (p = 0.148) after the intervention started.

## What it means for you

These herbs don't appear to help heavy menstrual bleeding in women with PMS. The study was only in student populations, so results may not apply to other women.

93

Female students in study

0.602

p-value for month 1 menstrual bleeding

0.148

p-value for month 2 menstrual bleeding

## About the study

Original title The Effects of Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Alone and in Combination With Nepeta menthoides on the Menstrual Bleeding in Students With Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial Authors Mojgan Mirghafourvand‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬, Jamileh Malakouti, Sakineh Mohammad‐Alizadeh‐Charandabi et al. Journal Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal Year 2016 Study design Randomised trial Participants 93 What was tested Lemon balm capsules (500 mg) alone or combined with Nepeta menthoides (500 mg) twice daily during luteal phase for 2 cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.28941](https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.28941)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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