In the 21^st century the hallmarks of American childhood no longer revolve around apple pie homemade meals and songs like Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Instead children's lives are characterized by the consumption of fast food innovative technology and a plethora of after-school activities. They are more familiar with the family van than the family room. An inescapable reality exists in which America is morphing into a society branded by speed and productivity.  However despite the accomplishments achieved through fast-paced lifestyles we cannot ignore the inner turmoil that occurs as our bodies strive to maintain optimal health and wellness during periods of chronic stress.

Perhaps one of the greatest pieces of evidence of this lifestyle change can be witnessed in the physician's office. Panic attacks anxiety depression insomnia fatigue and associated conditions are on the rise. Antidepressants antipsychotics sleep aids and narcotics are common drugs seen in most American homes. It appears that the 21^st century American would benefit from something akin to the fictitious chill pill. While many facetiously throw around references to such a pill in the famous clich© others are aware that such a remedy may actually exist in the form of the ancient herb lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) which was religiously used by beekeepers to keep the busy bees in the hive. 

Back in the 15^th century the famous Swiss physician Paracelsus dubbed lemon balm the elixir of life because it promoted health and longevity.  English herbalist John Gerard even believed that lemon balm was a comforting herb helping to drive away sadness.  The citrus flavor of lemon balm's essential oil made it a popular choice for flavoring drinks freshening rooms and polishing furniture.

Modern science has confirmed the sedative properties of lemon balm making it useful for mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and insomnia. In a prospective open-label 15-day study of standardized Melissa officinalis extract given to stressed volunteers with mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances 95 percent responded to treatment of which 70 percent achieved full remission for anxiety 85 percent for insomnia and 70 percent for both. The anxiolytic effects have been credited to the presence of rosmaric acid (a caffeic acid derivative) and the pentacyclic triterpeniods ursolic and oleanolic acids which are potent inhibitors of GABA transaminase. An additional mode of action was suggested by a recent study which found that lemon balm also increases cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the hippocampus by decreasing serum corticosterone. 

Lemon balm may also owe its success to the fact that it serves as an effective antinociceptive agent. Pain can indirectly trigger anxiety depression and other psychotic disturbances and it can also provide a legitimate reason for insomnia. Working through a multitude of mechanisms lemon balm was found to inhibit acetic acid-induced visceral pain early (neurogenic pain) and late (inflammatory pain) phases of formalin-induced licking and glutamate-induced pain in a dose-dependent manner.

Using lemon balm as an adjunct to current protocols for a variety of stress-related conditions may result in more positive results and marked improvement. Stress-induced muscle pain that stems from either a sports injury or chronic tension would also benefit from the relaxing effects of lemon balm. Additionally lemon balm does not cause drowsiness as most muscle relaxants are apt to do. Historically lemon balm was used to soothe dyspepsia. As stress-related digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis increasingly plague American's lives lemon balm may still prove to be an ideal gastric relaxant. Already found to act as a mild antibiotic effective against H. pylori and E. coli lemon balm also possesses antispasmodic and carminative effects to further soothe stress-related digestive conditions.

Although many people may dream of being able to hit a pause button in life reality pushes us forward demanding more of our time attention and ultimately our health.  However lemon balm can act as a buffer against the stressors of life keeping our moods elevated ensuring restorative sleep relaxing the muscles diminishing pain and ultimately aiding us in our attempt to simply take a deep breath and chill.