Monday Sunday Research/Information

LEMON BALM

EVIDENCE: ELSEVIER | MDPI | Phytotherapy Research | BMC

Lemon balm, also known as Melissa Leaf, is a member of the mint family and considered to be a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion. Even before then, lemon balm was steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds, and treat venomous insect bites and stings.

PASSION FLOWER

EVIDENCE: Calm Clinic | UHN | Phytotherapy Research | Journal of Menopausal Medicine

There are many passion flower benefits, for example, it may with insomnia, anxiety, inflammation from skin irritations and burns, menopause, ADHD, and even more serious conditions, such as seizures, high blood pressure and asthma, just to name a few. In traditional medicine, it was used to treat wounds, earaches, and liver problems. Passion flower also appears to boost the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. This compound lowers brain activity, which may help you relax and sleep better.

VALERIAN ROOT

EVIDENCE: SAGE Journals | OMJ | ELSEVIER | National Institutes of Health

Valerian root has been used as a natural therapy for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Certain compounds in valerian, called valerenic acid and valerenol, can act on GABA receptors in the body. GABA is a chemical messenger that helps regulate nerve impulses in your nervous system. It’s one of the main neurotransmitters responsible for sleep regulation, and increasing the amount of GABA available in your body has sedative effects.

GABA

EVIDENCE: MDPI | Frontiers in Psychology | Journal of Clinical Neurology

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical messenger in your brain. It slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your central nervous system. GABA is known for producing a calming effect and is thought to play a major role in controlling nerve cell hyperactivity associated with anxiety, stress and fear. Increasing GABA levels may help treat high blood pressure, diabetes and insomnia.

CALIFORNIA POPPY

EVIDENCE: Biochemistry Research International | EXAMINE | Master Herbalist

California poppy has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat a range of symptoms. Perhaps the best and most well-known use for California poppy is as a nervine, which means an herb that acts like a soothing tonic for your nervous system to ease stress, tension, and anxiety. It’s also traditionally been used to relieve and reduce pain and to relieve insomnia. It also has anxiolytic, sedative, analgesic and hypnotic properties.

MAGNESIUM

EVIDENCE: Scientifica | Harvard University | OSU

Magnesium is an essential nutrient, playing a vital role in the relaxation of the body. It also offers a wide range of health benefits, helping the body with over 300 daily biochemical reactions, supporting adrenal glands, body temperature regulation, detoxification and energy production. More than 80% of adults are Magnesiumdeficient.

VITAMIN B6

EVIDENCE: Cleveland Clinic | National institutes of Health | Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental

Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) is an essential vitamin that helps maintain the health of your entire body. This important nutrient plays a key role in brain development by keeping your nerves and immune system working as they should. Your body doesn’t produce B6 naturally, but it’s found in our Calm formula, as well as some foods. Vitamin B6 is also beneficial in improving your mood, promoting brain health, even lowering your risk of cancer.