LEMON BALM USES
As with many herbs, lemon balm has been used medicinally for centuries. It's known to have 8 different antiviral properties, 8 different sedative properties and 12 different anti-inflammatory properties! The leaves are also antibacterial, antihistaminic and antioxidant.
Lemon balm has been used to treat:
LEMON BALM TEA - Make a therapy tea by steeping a heaping teaspoon of dried leaves or a large tablespoon of fresh for about 15 minutes. Mix with some honey and this is a great tea for children over 2 years old that have a fever or a cold. Of course, it's good for us adults also!
HOT WATER INFUSIONS - Lemon balm infusions have been used historically to treat Newcastle Disease, herpes and even the mumps! To make a hot water infusion fill a glass jar (a canning jar works but I love my coffee press for this!) 1/3 full of the dried lemon balm leaves or about 3/4 full of fresh. Fill the jar with boiling water, cap and let steep for at least 4 hours. The long steeping time brings out much more of the medicinal qualities of the herb.
LEMON BALM TINCTURE - I love making tinctures or extracts as they're sometimes called! A teaspoon of lemon balm tincture added to either warm or cold water is a quick way to make tea without steeping. They last for years and are a great addition to your herbal medicine cabinet!
LEMON BALM POULTICE - Using the leaves as a poultice can help heal small wounds, insect bites and cold sores. In Germany, lemon balm cream is a common over the counter treatment for cold sores.
LEMON BALM MOSQUITO REPELLENT - Crush a handful of fresh leaves and rub them on your skin for a natural mosquito repellent!
LEMON BALM LEMONADE - This lemon balm recipe makes about 6 cups and has only about 36 calories per cup! Of course, you can add more honey if you like it a little sweeter but that will up the calories. You'll need:
Stir it well before serving. Add a small sprig of lemon balm as a garnish if your feeling fancy:) This refreshing tea is wonderful either hot or cold!
LEMON BALM INFUSED OIL
Lemon balm infused in organic olive oil can be used both in the kitchen for culinary uses or for making your own ointments, body creams, etc.
IDEAS FOR LEMON BALM RECIPES
Get creative and make your own lemon balm recipes! Lemon balm can be used in any recipes that would benefit from a soft lemon flavor. Just remember to chop it finely. Here's a few ideas:
Lemon balm is said to influence love, healing and success so if you arr looking for any of the mentioned carry a few sprigs with you!
Lemon balm wine when shared between two "friends" is also said to bring about love. You can make this easily be steeping in wine for several hours, strain, and then share with your partner. Fun stuff!
As with many herbs, lemon balm has been used medicinally for centuries. It's known to have 8 different antiviral properties, 8 different sedative properties and 12 different anti-inflammatory properties! The leaves are also antibacterial, antihistaminic and antioxidant.
Lemon balm has been used to treat:
- Fevers
- Digestive ills
- Painful Menstruation
- Headaches
- Colds & Flu
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Cold Sores
- And For Improving Moods
LEMON BALM TEA - Make a therapy tea by steeping a heaping teaspoon of dried leaves or a large tablespoon of fresh for about 15 minutes. Mix with some honey and this is a great tea for children over 2 years old that have a fever or a cold. Of course, it's good for us adults also!
HOT WATER INFUSIONS - Lemon balm infusions have been used historically to treat Newcastle Disease, herpes and even the mumps! To make a hot water infusion fill a glass jar (a canning jar works but I love my coffee press for this!) 1/3 full of the dried lemon balm leaves or about 3/4 full of fresh. Fill the jar with boiling water, cap and let steep for at least 4 hours. The long steeping time brings out much more of the medicinal qualities of the herb.
LEMON BALM TINCTURE - I love making tinctures or extracts as they're sometimes called! A teaspoon of lemon balm tincture added to either warm or cold water is a quick way to make tea without steeping. They last for years and are a great addition to your herbal medicine cabinet!
LEMON BALM POULTICE - Using the leaves as a poultice can help heal small wounds, insect bites and cold sores. In Germany, lemon balm cream is a common over the counter treatment for cold sores.
LEMON BALM MOSQUITO REPELLENT - Crush a handful of fresh leaves and rub them on your skin for a natural mosquito repellent!
LEMON BALM LEMONADE - This lemon balm recipe makes about 6 cups and has only about 36 calories per cup! Of course, you can add more honey if you like it a little sweeter but that will up the calories. You'll need:
- 3 cups loosely packed, fresh lemon balm leaves (or about 1 cup dried)
- 6 cups hot water
- Juice of 4 fresh lemons (around 1 cup)
- 3 Tablespoons honey (I wonder how pure maple syrup would taste in this?)
Stir it well before serving. Add a small sprig of lemon balm as a garnish if your feeling fancy:) This refreshing tea is wonderful either hot or cold!
LEMON BALM INFUSED OIL
Lemon balm infused in organic olive oil can be used both in the kitchen for culinary uses or for making your own ointments, body creams, etc.
IDEAS FOR LEMON BALM RECIPES
Get creative and make your own lemon balm recipes! Lemon balm can be used in any recipes that would benefit from a soft lemon flavor. Just remember to chop it finely. Here's a few ideas:
- FISH - Add about 1 Tablespoon of minced leaves to about 1/2 cup of mayonaise or tarter sauce for a mild lemon zing.
- FRUIT - Add about 2 teaspoons fresh, minced leaves per 1 cup of fruit. Great for any type of fruit salad!
- SALSA - Add a teaspoon or 2 to your favorite salsa recipe for something a little different.
Lemon balm is said to influence love, healing and success so if you arr looking for any of the mentioned carry a few sprigs with you!
Lemon balm wine when shared between two "friends" is also said to bring about love. You can make this easily be steeping in wine for several hours, strain, and then share with your partner. Fun stuff!
