Lemon Balm and its Soothing, Relaxing and Mood Boosting Benefits

 

One of the easiest and attractive herbs you can grow with its lovely lemony scent and flavor.

For a subtle hint of citrus, toss in a few lemon balm leaves when preparing soups, sauces or salads.  The leaves can even be added to meat marinades, cookie dough, smoothies, herbal butters, jams and homemade breads.

And you can even chew on the leaves for an instant breath freshener!

We share a further eight tips and recipes on how to make even more use of lemon balm.

1. Lemon Balm Tea

Calming and aromatic, lemon balm tea is easy to make with either fresh or dried lemon balm leaves.

• 1 cup of water
• 10 fresh lemon balm leaves or 1 rounded tablespoon of dried lemon balm. 
• 2 teaspoons of honey

Using a teapot or infuser, pour 1 cup of boiling water and add lemon balm. Allow the blend to steep for 10 to 20 minutes before straining.  Add honey and stir well.  You can have the option of adding cloves, lavender, orange zest, mint or other herbs and spices during the steeping process.

2. Lemon Balm Ice Cream

Did you know that you can make ice cream from frozen bananas, which perfectly mimics the creamy richness of heavy creams.

Add in some frozen mangoes, fresh lemon balm, almond milk and a pinch of sea salt to whip up this dessert in just 15 minutes.

3. Seared Lemon Balm Chicken

You will need:

4. No Bug Balm

If you have lemon balm - and other herbs in your garden (such as citronella, peppermint, lavender, basil, catnip or thyme) - you can make a herbal medley by infusing these fresh herbs in oil. Then mix up with some beeswax, shea butter, and essential oils for a spreadable salve that is actually good for your skin but protects from insects.

5. Lemon Balm Lip Balm

Soothe dry, chapped lips with this lip balm recipe, made from an infusion of fresh lemon balm leaves in a carrier oil of your choice. Let this mixture infuse for two weeks before blending it with beeswax, honey, and lemon or mint essential oils.

6. Lemon Balm Potpourri - Summer Garden

• 1 tablespoon each of ground cinnamon, coarsely ground cloves and and orris root powder.
• 5 drops each of rose geranium oil and bergamot oil.
• 3 cups dried rose petals.
• 2 cups lavender flowers.
• 1 cup each of lemon balm leaves and scented geranium leaves.

Combine the dried spices and orris root powder. Add the oils, stir to blend well. Then combine the flowers and leaves in a large bowl. Add the spice blend. Mix to ensure even distribution of the spices. Place the potpourri in a large, lidded jar or bowl and place in the dark to cure for six around weeks, stirring or shaking daily to provide a wonderful way to naturally scent your home.

7. Herbal Bath

For a soothing soak, fill a muslin bag with fresh lemon balm leaves, rose petals, lavender, yarrow and other pleasant-smelling herbs. Hang it over the faucet as you fill the bath tub so the water runs through the herbal pouch.

Toss in a cup of Epsom salts for the ultimate relaxing bath.

8. Lemon Balm Hair Rinse

Because of lemon balm’s astringent qualities, it can be used as a hair rinse and scalp clarifier.

To make, pour 2 cups of boiling water over 3 to 4 tablespoons of dried lemon balm and let it steep overnight. Strain out the plant bits and then shampoo and condition your hair as normal.

Slowly pour the rinse over your head, massaging it into your scalp and along the entire hair shaft. No need to rinse! 

 

 

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