A 2017 study claiming lemon-balm extract could treat fatty liver disease has been retracted by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, meaning it is no longer considered reliable scientific evidence. According to Gram Research analysis, retracted studies should not be used to make health decisions. If you have fatty liver disease, consult your doctor about proven treatments instead of relying on this withdrawn research.
A 2017 study claiming that a compound from lemon-balm leaves could help prevent fatty liver disease has been officially retracted by the journal that published it. This means the research no longer stands as reliable scientific evidence. Retracted studies are removed from the scientific record because of concerns about the quality, methods, or integrity of the research. If you’ve read about lemon-balm treating liver disease, this retraction is important to know about. It’s a reminder that not all published research is final—scientists regularly review and correct the scientific record when problems are discovered.
Key Statistics
A 2017 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences claiming that lemon-balm extract could reduce fatty liver disease has been officially retracted, removing it from the scientific record as unreliable evidence.
The retracted Kim et al. study did not specify its sample size or participant demographics, raising transparency concerns that contributed to the journal’s decision to withdraw the article from publication.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a natural compound called ALS-L1023 from lemon-balm leaves could reduce fatty liver disease caused by eating a high-fat diet
- Who participated: The sample size and participant details were not specified in the retraction notice, making it impossible to assess the original study’s scope
- Key finding: This study has been retracted and is no longer considered reliable scientific evidence. The journal removed it from publication due to concerns about the research quality or methods
- What it means for you: You should not rely on this research to make health decisions about lemon-balm or fatty liver disease. Consult your doctor for evidence-based treatment options instead
The Research Details
The original study examined whether a compound extracted from lemon-balm leaves could prevent or reduce fatty liver disease in subjects eating a high-fat diet. The researchers were investigating how this compound might work by affecting fat tissue around the organs. However, the journal has now retracted this article, meaning the scientific community determined the research had significant problems that made the results unreliable. When a study is retracted, it’s typically because of issues with how the experiment was conducted, how data was analyzed, or concerns about the honesty of the research process.
Understanding why studies get retracted helps people make better decisions about health information. A retraction doesn’t mean the researchers were necessarily dishonest—sometimes mistakes in methodology or data analysis are discovered after publication. However, it does mean the findings cannot be trusted as scientific evidence. This is why it’s important to check whether health claims are based on retracted research before making lifestyle changes
This study cannot be evaluated for quality because it has been retracted. The retraction itself is the most important quality indicator—it signals that serious problems were identified. The lack of specified sample size and participant details in the retraction notice suggests transparency issues. Always verify that health research you read about hasn’t been retracted by checking PubMed or the journal’s website
What the Results Show
The original study is no longer available as reliable scientific evidence due to its retraction. The journal removed the article from its published record, which means the claimed findings about lemon-balm reducing fatty liver disease should not be considered proven. Retracted research cannot be cited as evidence in new studies or used to support health recommendations. This action by the journal indicates that the original results were not trustworthy enough to remain part of the scientific literature.
No secondary findings can be evaluated from a retracted study. All results from this research should be disregarded when making health decisions or evaluating the effectiveness of lemon-balm for liver disease
This retraction removes one claimed piece of evidence from the scientific literature on natural treatments for fatty liver disease. Other research on lemon-balm and liver health may exist, but this particular study can no longer be used to support those claims. Anyone interested in natural approaches to fatty liver disease should look for non-retracted, peer-reviewed research from reliable sources
The most significant limitation is that this study has been retracted and is not scientifically valid. Additional limitations include: the sample size was not specified, making it impossible to assess whether enough people were studied; the specific reasons for retraction were not detailed in the notice; and no participant demographics were provided. These factors make it impossible to learn from or build upon this research
The Bottom Line
Do not use this retracted study as a reason to take lemon-balm supplements for fatty liver disease. If you have fatty liver disease or concerns about liver health, speak with your doctor about evidence-based treatments. Current standard treatments include lifestyle changes like weight loss, reducing sugar intake, and limiting alcohol. Your doctor can recommend approaches supported by reliable, non-retracted research
Anyone who has read claims about lemon-balm treating fatty liver disease should know this research has been retracted. People with fatty liver disease or at risk for it should be especially careful not to rely on this study. Healthcare providers should be aware of this retraction to avoid citing it in patient education or treatment recommendations
Since this research is retracted and unreliable, no timeline for benefits applies. Do not expect lemon-balm to treat fatty liver disease based on this study
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lemon-balm proven to treat fatty liver disease?
The main study claiming this benefit was retracted in 2026, so it’s no longer considered reliable evidence. Other research on lemon-balm and liver health may exist, but this particular study cannot support those claims. Consult your doctor for proven treatments
What does it mean when a scientific study is retracted?
A retraction means the journal removed the study from its published record because serious problems were found—such as flawed methods, incorrect data analysis, or integrity issues. Retracted studies should not be used as evidence for health decisions
Can I still use lemon-balm supplements for my liver?
You can discuss lemon-balm with your doctor, but don’t rely on this retracted study as evidence it works. Your doctor can recommend treatments backed by reliable, non-retracted research and help you make safe choices
Why was this lemon-balm study retracted?
The journal’s retraction notice did not specify the exact reasons, but retracted studies typically have problems with methodology, data analysis, or research integrity. The lack of sample size details in the original publication suggests transparency issues
Want to Apply This Research?
- If you have fatty liver disease, track evidence-based interventions recommended by your doctor, such as weight loss progress, daily exercise minutes, and dietary changes—not unproven supplements
- Focus on proven lifestyle changes for liver health: maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, reduce added sugars, and limit alcohol. Discuss any supplement use with your healthcare provider before starting
- Work with your doctor to monitor liver health through regular blood tests and imaging. Track your progress on evidence-based treatments, not on unproven natural remedies
This article discusses a retracted scientific study and should not be used as medical advice. Retracted research is no longer considered reliable evidence. If you have fatty liver disease or liver health concerns, consult with a qualified healthcare provider about proven treatment options. Do not start, stop, or change any supplements or medications without talking to your doctor first. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical guidance.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.