The Medical use of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as Natural Sedatives: Insight into their Interactions with GABA Transmission

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) have been consumed by humans since Antiquity, usually as herbal tea and brewing, for their sedative and relaxing capacities. These properties are associated with empirical observations of the effects of these plants on the body. But since the advent of phytotherapy as alternative medicine, it appeared on the market alcoholic extracts or essential oils, for which the same indications are claimed. It is therefore necessary to clarify or define the mechanisms of action of their various constituents to explain their effectiveness. We review here the current knowledge about the pharmacological properties – particularly the molecular targets – of the bioactive compounds of lemon balm and valerian. In this way, the activities of lemon balm and valerian, empirically observed throughout the body, can be explained and objectified at the molecular and cellular levels thanks to the mode of action of their molecular contents (terpenoids and phenolic derivatives). Our interest is to scientifically explain the pharmacological effects of these two plants in traditional medicine.