The whole plant is edible, though its the tender leaves you are after. Lemon balm has a long history of a wide array herbal medicine uses, in particular for soothing, calming and raising the spirit – just one smell of the crushed leaves does all of these for me.

What is lemon balm good for?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).

Can I drink lemon balm tea everyday?

Drink to Your Health With Lemon Balm Tea Taking lemon balm tea regularly may help improve mental cognition and can increase sleep quality. The lemon balm leaf is one of the most popular medicinal plants and can also be used to treat anxiety and prevent heart disease.

Can lemon balm be eaten raw?

You can certainly enjoy lemon balm fresh on salads, or in your favorite recipes, too. Be brave! Experiment with its bright flavor.

Does lemon balm keep mosquitoes away?

This member of the mint family has white flowers and a gentle lemony scent, as well as some healing properties. Lemon balm is particularly good at keeping mosquitos away, but it’s also a fast grower, so be careful when planting it in your garden.

Can you drink lemon balm?

Lemon balm is used to treat a variety of medical disorders affecting the digestive tract, nervous system, and liver. You can drink it inside a tea, take it as a supplement or extract, or rub it on the skin in the form of balms and lotion. Lemon balm essential oil is also popular in aromatherapy.

Does lemon balm help you lose weight?

Lemon Balm Tea Benefits Weight Loss One such study found that an extract of this herb suppressed fat tissue growth in mice and killed fat cells.

Does lemon balm tea have side effects?

Side effects are generally mild and might include increased appetite, nausea, dizziness, and wheezing. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if lemon balm is safe to use for more than 6 months. When applied to the skin: Lemon balm is possibly safe for most adults. It may cause skin irritation.

Is lemon balm antibacterial?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a plant that is sometimes used in its dried form (or by extracting its oil) as an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-oxidative agent.

Is it OK to eat lemon balm leaves?

Lemon Balm can be used both in hot and iced teas and in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. The plant is also often used as a flavoring in ice cream and its also suitable for spicing up chicken and fish dishes. Early fresh leaves can be chopped and added to salads.

Article first time published on

How does lemon balm tea taste?

What Does Lemon Balm Taste Like? This aromatic member of the mint family has a bright, citrusy taste that brings together the acidity of lemon with subtle hints of mint. Both the stems and fresh leaves of lemon balm have a subtly sweet flavor and can be used in food preparation and medicine.

Is lemon balm bad for the liver?

Melissa officinalis may cause liver tissue damage and therefore, its consumption in high doses should be avoided.

How do you dry lemon balm tea?

Rinse the fresh lemon balm leaves using cold water and lay out to dry on a baking sheet. You can also gather the leaves in bundles and hang dry them by tying them from a clothesline. Once completely dry, store the dried leaves in an airtight container or a brown paper bag and leave in a dark place.

Does lemon balm raise blood pressure?

Lemon balm may lower your blood pressure and therefore should be used with caution if you are taking medications with similar properties. It can also lower your blood sugar levels and people with diabetes should use lemon balm with care.

Is lemon balm good for hair?

Its ability to balance oil production makes it a great hair care herb for all hair types. Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, a mild astringent, makes a very good rinse for those with oily hair. The toning properties of Lemon Balm help balance and refresh hair and scalp.

Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?

Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.

Should you cut back lemon balm?

To keep plants vigorous, thin plants out in mid-summer by cutting out stems to open up the plant to better air circulation. Lemon balm can also be cut back to about one-half its height to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth. Watering after this heavy pruning helps the plant recover quicker.

Is lemon balm invasive?

The lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis) is actually a member of the mint family and is a perennial herb. … If not carefully controlled, lemon balm can quickly become invasive in the garden.

How often should you drink lemon balm tea?

To make a lemon balm tea, brew 1.5 to 4.5 grams of leaves in 150 milliliters of hot water. This can be taken several times a day. The leaves can also be eaten, up to 10 grams a day. Check supplement formulations with your doctor to make sure the dosages are suitable for you.

Does lemon balm tea have caffeine in it?

HEALTH BENEFITS – A fresh cup of Lemon Balm Tea is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamin C, thiamine, flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenes, protein and fiber. … Packed in bleach-free tea bags, it’s always caffeine free, so you can enjoy a cup of Lemon Balm Tea any time of day!

Is lemon balm good for lungs?

The essential oil made from lemon balm is high in compounds called triterpenes, which are rapidly absorbed through the lungs and have a calming effect on the body through aroma therapy.

Can you grow lemon balm indoors?

Lemon Balm Care. A hardy perennial shrub that is tolerant to USDA zones 3 through 7, lemon balm can be grown year-round indoors, as well as outdoors in warmer climates.

How do you make lemon balm ointment?

1. Melt 60 g of beeswax in a double boiler.
2. Once the wax is melted, stir in two cups (500 mL) of olive oil and the lemon balm leaves (300 g if fresh and 120 g if dried).
3. Remove from the heat. …
4. Strain the mixture through a cloth and pour it in jars.

Is lemon balm good for inflammation?

Reducing inflammation There is some evidence that lemon balm may help fight inflammation. The authors of a 2013 study partially support the usage of lemon balm in treating pain and inflammation after an injury.

How do you harvest lemon balm?

The easiest way to harvest lemon balm is to snap leaves off stems with your fingers as often as needed for cooking or other purposes. The collected leaves can be used fresh or hung upside down to air-dry for later use. The dried herbs lose a lot of flavor, so if you’re using it for food, fresh is usually best.

Is lemon balm an antifungal?

The results of this study suggest that lemon balm and sage EOs can be considered as natural antifungal agents that can be used to inactivate ochratoxigenic P. verrucosum with respect to food safety applications.

Does lemon balm affect thyroid?

Test tube studies have found that lemon balm blocks attachment of antibodies to the thyroid cells that cause Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism). The brain’s signal to the thyroid (thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH) is also blocked from further stimulating the excessively active thyroid gland in this disease.

Is lemon balm a diuretic?

Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, has soothing, diuretic, and expectorant properties and so it can be used as a home remedy to relax, stop fluid retention and reduce mucus when taken with lemon.

Can you cook with lemon balm?

They’re great for cooking. Use lemon balm in place of lemon peel in recipes and to flavor soups, sauces, vinegars and seafood. … You can also use the herb to bake a batch of lemon balm cookies or lemon balm bread, whisk up a quick lemon balm vinaigrette, or top your pasta with lemon balm pesto.

Can you harvest lemon balm after it flowers?

For the most potency, harvest leaves before flowering. Leave some of the plants to flower for the bees, and after flowering, cut back up to two-thirds of the plant to encourage bushier and sturdier plants. Harvesting the plants at different times means you will have new, fresh growth to pick all season long.

How do you use bee balm?

Both the leaves and blooms can be eaten fresh or dried. Once picked, place small bundles of leaves and flowers in paper bags. Keep the bags in a dry, well ventilated area until they have completely dried out. Dried bee balm can be used for potpourri, tea, or substituted for oregano.