Lemon balm scent may ease Kids' dental fear, study hopes

NCT ID NCT07592130

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether breathing in lemon balm essential oil can reduce anxiety and pain in children aged 6 to 10 during dental injections. Forty-five children will be randomly assigned to receive aromatherapy with one of two brands of lemon balm oil or standard care. Researchers will measure anxiety with a child-friendly questionnaire and observe pain behaviors during the procedure.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) essential oil
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to help children feel calmer during dental visits.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 45 children, so results may not apply broadly. The effect may be due to the pleasant scent rather than the oil itself.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Contacts and locations

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