Herbal Lip Balm

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  Lemon Balm

  The calming citrus herb

  Some human research

  A bright, lemon-scented member of the mint family, lemon balm has been steeped in teas and tonics for centuries. It is traditionally used to help you feel calm, settled, and at ease.

  What the research says: Small, short studies have linked lemon balm extracts to greater self-reported calmness and mood, and it has been studied alongside valerian for restlessness at bedtime. Studies are small and doses vary.

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  Skullcap

  A classic herb for a quiet mind

  Limited human research

  American skullcap is a long-standing staple of herbal practice, traditionally used to ease everyday tension and support a relaxed, steady mind.

  What the research says: The evidence is thin. A small study in healthy adults reported mood improvements, but there are very few trials. Most of what is known comes from traditional use.

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  Kava Kava

  The root made for unwinding

  Some human research

  Pacific Islanders have prepared kava root for generations as a shared, relaxing drink. It is traditionally used to promote a sense of calm and ease at the end of the day.

  What the research says: Kava is the best studied herb in the blend. Several clinical trials, summarized in a Cochrane review, found short-term improvements in anxiety. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported with kava products, so it is not for people with liver conditions or who drink alcohol regularly.

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  Holy Basil

  Tulsi, the adaptogenic favorite

  Limited human research

  Revered in Ayurveda as tulsi, holy basil is traditionally used to support the body’s response to everyday stress and promote a feeling of balance.

  What the research says: A few small trials of holy basil extracts reported lower self-rated stress and anxiety scores. The studies are small and vary in quality, so the results are promising but not settled.

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  Passion Flower

  Soft, floral, and soothing

  Some human research

  With its striking blooms, passion flower is traditionally used to quiet a busy mind and support restful, relaxed evenings.

  What the research says: Small trials have looked at passion flower for anxiety, and a one-week study of passion flower tea found better self-reported sleep quality. The results are encouraging but come from small studies.

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  Catnip

  A gentle mint-family herb

  Traditional use

  Best known for cats, catnip has also long been steeped by people as a mild, soothing tea to help settle the body and unwind.

  What the research says: People have long steeped catnip as a mild, calming tea. Lab and animal studies exist, but we are not aware of strong human trials, so we describe its role as traditional.

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  Wild Lettuce

  A traditional evening herb

  Traditional use

  Wild lettuce has a long history in folk herbalism as a calming herb, traditionally used to support relaxation and a peaceful wind-down.

  What the research says: What is known comes mostly from folk use and animal studies. We are not aware of solid human trials, so we describe it as traditional only.

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  Damiana

  The aromatic herb of Central America

  Traditional use

  Prized for its warm, floral aroma, damiana is traditionally used to support a positive mood and an uplifted sense of well-being.

  What the research says: Damiana has been studied mainly in lab and animal settings, with very little research in people. Its place in the blend rests on traditional use.

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  White Willow Bark

  A time-honored bark

  Some human research

  Used for centuries across herbal traditions, white willow bark is traditionally relied on to support everyday physical comfort.

  What the research says: The bark contains salicin, a relative of the compound in aspirin. Trials of standardized extracts have looked at low-back pain and osteoarthritis, with the best support for low-back pain. People who are sensitive to aspirin or take blood thinners should check with a clinician first.

Plant-powered care for everyday lips.