Anxiety can arise during challenging or stressful life events. For many people, it settles once the situation passes.
If you are noticing anxiety becoming more frequent, hormone imbalance may play a role. Hormones and the nervous system work closely together – disruption in one often affects the other.
A specific form of premenstrual symptoms is known as PMS-A.
This pattern often includes:
Anxiety
Nervous tension
Irritability
Mood swings
Insomnia
PMS-A reflects an overactive nervous system – adrenaline release tends to run high which can leave the body feeling wired and unsettled.
Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm, offers gentle nervous system support.
It remains one of my most trusted herbs for anxiety-related symptoms.
Lemon balm carries a nourishing, calming quality & helps soothe an overactive stress response.
Research has explored its use in teenage girls aged 14–17.
Daily use over three months showed meaningful improvement in anxiety, stress, and mood when dosed appropriately.
These effects likely relate to lemon balm’s:
Antispasmodic action
Anxiolytic properties
Lemon balm also supports healthy GABA levels – a calming neurotransmitter, helping shift the body out of fight-or-flight and back into balance.
Histamine plays a role in chronic inflammation & can also influence hormonal anxiety.
Histamine and oestrogen stimulate one another – when oestrogen rises too high, symptoms often follow.
Anxiety can be one of those signals.
The following approaches may help calm the nervous system and reduce premenstrual anxiety.
Cow dairy can increase histamine in some people. A short break of one to two months may offer clarity.
Some people tolerate sheep or goat dairy more easily, while others feel best without dairy at all.
Lemon balm tea offers gentle daily support. I find a therapeutic amount is around three cups per day (steep for 20 minutes in boiling water). Many people find it especially helpful during PMS days.
Vitamin B6 supports GABA production & assists histamine clearance. A common trial dose is 100 mg daily, but monitor as response can vary between individuals.
Magnesium supports relaxation and nervous system balance. Forms such as bisglycinate or citrate often suit anxiety. A dose of 300–400 mg daily works well for many people.
Blends containing taurine may offer added benefit due to the extra calming & nutritive qualities it brings.
Persistent stress or mood changes deserve gentle attention. Small, consistent supports often create meaningful change over time.
If you would like personalised guidance, you are welcome to contact me for a no-obligation chat.
You can also book in to meet me in person or online.
