Is herbal lemon balm leaf tea good for the skin? - Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb native to regions in Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Its refreshing lemony scent and flavor have made it a popular culinary and medicinal herb for centuries. Beyond being a delightful tea infusion, lemon balm leaf has numerous benefits for skin health as well. Let us dig deep and learn how herbal lemon balm leaf tea can nourish your complexion from within.
Skin-Soothing Properties
Lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid, a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. This damage from environmental aggressors like pollution can accelerate signs of aging over time, like fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Rosmarinic acid also has anti-inflammatory effects that can help soothe troubled skin conditions. Whether dealing with acne breakouts, irritated eczema or sensitive rosacea, drinking lemon balm tea regularly may relieve inflammation.
The herb is also rich in several B complex vitamins, such as riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine, which aid collagen production in the skin. Collagen is the main structural protein responsible for firm, youthful-looking skin. As we age, collagen levels diminish, causing the skin to lose elasticity and develop wrinkles more readily over time. Herbal lemon balm tea can support natural collagen synthesis to maintain youthful skin well into maturity.
Clear Skin Tea
Studies show that lemon balm's rosmarinic acid content gives it anti-bacterial properties effective against skin pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are common causes of breakouts. You can help clear existing blemishes from within and support clear, blemish-free skin on an ongoing basis by drinking a daily cup of lemon balm leaf tea.
Blackheads and whiteheads can happen when excess sebum production clogs pores. Lemon balm's ability to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme involved in sebum production, can help regulate oil secretions and curb breakouts caused by clogged pores. Staying hydrated by drinking herbal teas is also essential for maintaining a balanced biome on the skin's surface where beneficial bacteria thrive to keep pathogens at bay and the skin healthy.
An Oil-Balancing Tea
According to scientific review, the essential oils in lemon balm contain anti-sebum compounds that have demonstrated a noticeable effect on excess oil regulation. For oily and combination skin types prone to breakouts, daily herbal lemon balm leaf tea could assist in managing shine levels over time.
Those with very dry or sensitive skin may also enjoy lemon balm's calming properties, as the anti-inflammatory essential oils like citral and caryophyllene help reduce irritation without over-drying delicate skin. The herb's hydrating B vitamins and antioxidants nourish skin cells from within for a balanced, supple complexion.
Powerful Skin Protectant
Lemon balm leaf's antioxidants also equip it as an effective skin protectant. Studies show that regular consumption of antioxidant-rich foods and beverages like herbal lemon balm tea can help shield skin from harmful environmental UV radiation, which ages skin prematurely over time. UV damage from the sun has strongly been linked to fine lines, age spots, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer development.
With its high rosmarinic acid and vitamin C content, lemon balm may provide photoprotective benefits to skin comparable to topical sunscreens when consumed regularly. This makes herbal lemon balm leaf tea especially valuable to incorporate into a skin health regimen for those working outdoors or highly susceptible to sun damage. Lemon balm's ability to absorb percutaneously (through the skin) following oral administration further supports its positive effect on skin health from the inside out.
Anxiety-Alleviating Skin Benefits
Beyond balancing skin's oil production and supporting natural collagen synthesis, lemon balm tea offers an additional skin-nurturing benefit when considering psychological factors that affect our complexion, such as stress levels. As an adaptogenic herb traditionally consumed to alleviate tension and promote relaxation, daily lemon balm leaf tea can assist in managing stress levels, which strongly influence our appearance over time.
Chronic stress accelerates skin aging by disrupting hormonal balance, impairing collagen synthesis and suppressing the immune system - all factors that damage skin health if prolonged. Relieving stress and anxiety with herbal lemon balm tea improves mood and visible skin issues. Practising self-care through this nutrient-dense herbal infusion may help reduce worry lines and visibly calm skin over continual use.
Try Lemon Balm Leaf Tea
If you are looking to support skin glow from the inside out, herbal lemon balm leaf tea makes a nourishing addition to any beauty routine. Its wealth of antioxidants, soothing properties and regulation of oil production make it a versatile complexion companion for all skin types.
For those intrigued by lemon balm's skin-benefiting compounds, we recommend starting with our organic Lemon Balm Leaf Tea by Lifeblend Teas. Ethically sourced and free from additives or dyes, our single-origin lemon balm infusion makes enjoying this skin-nurturing herb a joy daily. Feel free to experiment with mixing lemon balm tea with other wholesome ingredients like chilled coconut water or fresh ginger for new flavour combinations. Your skin will thank you!
In conclusion, while topical products play their part, consuming antioxidant-rich herbal lemon balm leaf tea provides nurturance from within to maintain a bright, clear and youthful complexion over time. Lemon balm leaf tea, combined with adopting other skincare habits like sleep, hydration and sun protection, offers an easier way to nourish skin cells from the inside out. Why not treat your skin and stress levels with a revitalizing cup today?