Can lemon balm have an energizing effect? I gave it to my dad to help him relax and instead, he was very stimulated (kept him up until 4:00 am!) What is a better alternative for someone who can't calm down enough to sleep. He's having circular thinking and I did also have him try passionflower tincture, however, he was too stimulated by the lemon balm to feel the effects of the passionflower. Thank you!

As we have said in class anyone can have an idiosyncratic response to any food, drug, herb or supplement. Your fathers response to Lemon balm is certainly atypical. Has he had unusual effects from other things such as coffee, tea or alcohol ? We have many nervine herbs, I prefer formulas but to be the most effective look at your father. What are his energetics - heat, cold, wind, damp, dry, does he have an excess or deficient constitution, and what area his symptoms. From there you would have a better sense of what herbs may be helpful. I definitely would not give him Valerian. Passionflower with some Chamomile, Linden flower might be a good starting point (as a tea).