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Lemon Balm Herb

A member of the mint family, lemon balm, classified as Melissa officinalis, is an herb that has been used for centuries. Lemon balm is useful in the kitchen and in the medicine chest. "The Herb Companion" named lemon balm the 2007 Herb of the Year. Lemon balm is delicious in recipes. It soothes minor cuts and bites and sedates anxiety and depression. In the garden, lemon balm grows well in the shade.

  1. In the Kitchen

    • Make the most of lemon balm's properties in the kitchen. Lemon balm makes delicious cookies, pesto and vinaigrette, to name only a few uses. Use whole or minced fresh lemon balm leaves to add lemony freshness to many recipes (see link in Resources). Try lightly crushed fresh lemon balm leaves in iced tea for a minty, lemony taste. Fresh lemon balm leaves, minced and blended with butter make a refreshing sauce for fish or vegetables. Since dried lemon balm leaves lose their potency, use fresh leaves.

    In the Medicine Chest

    • Holistic Online describes a host of medicinal uses for lemon balm. Infuse lemon balm in boiling water for a delicious and sedating tea. Lemon balm tea flushes fevers and eases menstrual cramps. Crushed lemon balm leaves heal minor cuts and insect bites. To brew lemon balm tea, add 2 tbsp. chopped lemon balm leaves to 1 cup boiling distilled water. Allow to infuse for 5 minutes. Drink warm. Apply crushed lemon balm leaves to cuts or insects bites.

      Lemon balm tea stimulates the brain and relieves lethargy, according to Holistic Online. For a comforting tea, blend 3 parts lemon balm with 1 part each lavender flowers, rose petals, spearmint tea, St. John's Wort and marjoram. Pour boiling distilled water over the herbal blend. Infuse for 5 minutes. Add honey and/or lemon to taste.

    In the Garden

    • Enjoy lemon balm's versatility in the garden. According to "The Herb Companion," lemon balm grows easily and is pleasantly aromatic in your garden. Find lemon balm in forests or beneath the shaded protection of trees. Plant lemon balm along shaded borders or along the shaded sides of your house. This herb thrives equally well in full sunlight as in dappled light or complete shade. As lemon balm grows, its high essential oil content causes the plant to release a pleasant lemony aroma. Harvest lemon balm leaves in mid-spring.

    Storage

    • Freeze or refrigerate fresh lemon balm leaves for several days. Store dried lemon balm leaves in dry, airtight containers. Hang fresh leaves upside down in a cool, dark place. Although dried leaves lose aroma, they work as potpourri or sachets.

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