Lemon balm has an amazing, sweet lemon smell and can be used in teas, health and beauty items, cooking and cleaning products. Lemon balms hardiness and versatility make it an excellent addition to your herb garden. In addition, when lemon balm flowers it attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Growing Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a hardy, easy to grow perennial that looks similar to its close relations, the mints. The most common form has a fresh lemon scent, but different varieties include Lime – with a true lime fragrance – and citronella which smells like citronella oil and can be used as an insect repellent, also.
Lemon balm is easy to grow but prefers full sun to partial shade. Plant in well drained but moist soil. It grows well in either pots or in the ground, but keep in mind that it spreads – a lot (similar to its cousin mint) if planted in the ground. It can be easily grown from seeds or cuttings or the plants are readily available at most nurseries in the spring. Lemon balm requires little maintenance. If you would like a new flush of foilage you can cut the whole plant back leaving at least 2 inches of stem and it will regrow. You can also harvest by cutting just what you need. You will want to leave the seeds to spread at the end of the growing season if you desire a larger plant the following year.
Harvesting and Storing
Harvest the fresh foilage when it reaches the desired size. To dry, cut the plant to 3 inches in mid to late afternoon, secure the stems with a string or rubber band and hang upside down in a well ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Dry completely. Strip the dried leaves off of the stem and store them in an airtight container in a cool place. It can also be dried by placing the stems in a food dehydrator, be sure to not overcrowd the stems.
Using Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has mild sedative and mood enhancing properties and is commonly used to treat sleep disorders, restlessness and anxiety. Recent studies suggest that lemon balm also has anti viral effects and has been used to relieve the symptoms of cold sores and to help fight off the symptoms of the common cold. ALWAYS consult your health care professional before taking an herbs and do NOT use lemon balm if you are pregnant or breast feeding or if you are taking a thyroid medication.
Lemon balm can be used in cooking to flavor any foods that are complimented by lemon and mint flavoring. The leaves can be used fresh or dried in teas, salads, fruit dishes, stuffings, chicken and fish dishes and summer drinks. I like to enjoy lemon balm in its simplest form, by placing a sprig in a glass of ice water with a cucumber slice. Its so refreshing on a hot day after working in the yard.
Lemon Balm Recipes
Lemon Balm Tincture This tincture can soothe your stomach or help your body to fight off a virus.
1. Fill a glass jar ¾ full with chopped lemon balm leaves
2. Pour in 80 proof or higher alcohol (vodka works well) Make sure all of the leaves are
covered with the alcohol.
3. Use a non metallic lid . Store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Shaking
occasionally.
4. Strain and store in a glass jar for up to a year.
An adult dose is ¼ teaspoon or 1 ml. Use as needed. This can also be added to your favorite tea with honey to make it more pallatable.
Lemon Balm Vinegar
Similar to the steps for making tincture, begin by filling a glass jar ¾ full with fresh lemon balm leaves. Cover with apple cider vinegar and cap with a non metallic lid. Place in a cool dark place for several weeks. Strain and use. Shelf life is up to 12 months. This can be used to make a simple vinagarette.
*** always date containers with the date that you started making the product.***
Lemon Balm and Garlic Butter
Mix 1 tbs finely chopped, fresh lemon balm leaves with 1 stick (¼ cup) of softened butter (I use salted but you can use whatever you prefer). Add ½ tsp of finely chopped garlic and mix until fully incorporated. This butter can be frozen or stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
This can be used on baked chicken by applying to the skin of the chicken before baking. Cook as usual, checking often to make sure the skin does not overcook. Apply foil over the chicken if it is browning to quickly. Slather on home made bread nd then toast in the oven for lemony garlic bread. For a simple pasta dish, add butter to your favorite plain, cooked pasta.
I hope this convinces you to add lemon balm to your garden if you arent already growing it. If you are already familiar with this fragrant herb let me know how you use it.
