Earth Blessings!!
Lemon Balm is one of those herbs that you most likely will be growing than going out to forage but is abundant enough where if you grow it once, you'll have it forever. It's even great for those that don't have a green thumb, it's nearly impossible to kill. I however plant my Lemon Balm in pots, I do this for two reasons. One, it's part of the mint family, so you know right away it will take over any spot you plant it in. One tiny plant can quickly take over an entire area. And two, I bring them inside in the winter so I can enjoy this glorious plant all winter long.
As with any herb, use in small amounts. Large amounts of Lemon Balm may inhibit thyroid function.
Medicinal Uses:
For the following uses, Lemon Balm is best used in a tea or tincture.
Stress
Lemon Balm is great for mood stabilizing and is known to relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety. She is there to boost that cranky mood you've been carrying around.
Headaches
Lemon Balm is especially useful in treating headaches resulting from stress. Ingesting the herb helps to relax tight blood vessels, which contribute to headaches
Menstrual Cramps
Nausea
Insomnia
Indigestion
Toothaches
If you haven't guessed yet, Lemon Balm is a fantastic choice when it comes to relieving pain. She targets inflammation in areas of tooth pain, menstrual cramps, and headaches. For toothaches, it's best to infuse in an oil. Jojoba oil is best for this remedy.
Cold Sores
A salve made up of infused Lemon Balm oil and beeswax is perfect for getting rid of pesky Cold Sores.
All her uses:
There are A LOT of recipes you could make with this little versatile herb. I'll go over a few really easy ones that you can make with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Bath Tea
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Cotton or Muslin Tea bags
A bath tub
What to do:
Let's start out really easy. All you have to do for this one is fill a cotton or muslin tea bag with Lemon Balm. Throw in some rose pedals or lavender for an even better experience!
If you don't have tea bags, no worries. A small sock stuffed and tie will do!
Hang bag off the tub spout so the water is running over it while you fill your bath.
Enjoy!!
Lemon Balm Infused Water
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Water
Drink container
What to do:
Another really easy one here guys!! Just fill your drink bottle with water and drop 5-10 leaves in.
Enjoy a really refreshing lemon tinted drink!
Lemon Balm Ice Cubes
I feel like this one is self explanatory, but indulge me as I leave this recipe here. 😁
But another really easy one coming up!! Just look at all you can do with just herb and water! Amazing really!!
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Water
Ice Cube Tray
What to do:
*Place one leaf in each cube
*Fill with water
*Freeze
Enjoy!
Perfect for lemonade on a hot summer day!!
Lemon Balm Vinegar
This recipe is great in salad desssings, but also makes a fantastic hair rinse. If you're like me and you're trying to reduce plastic waste with your shampoo choice, bars are the way to go. However, many shampoo bars need a vinegar rinse afterward. This vinegar is perfect for that.
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Apple Cider Vinegar
Jar
Plastic Lid or parchment paper
What to do:
*Fill whatever size jar you choose 3/4 the way with Lemon Balm
*Cover with Apple Cider Vinegar and put on cap. If you don't have a plastic cap (life hack alert!!! Peanut Butter jar lids work perfect for vinegar recipes and fit wonderfully on Mason or Ball jars) parchment paper between the metal cap and the jar work fine.
*Let sit in a dark cabinet for 3 weeks
*Strain out Lemon Balm and use!
Lemon Balm Infused Sugar
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Sugar
Jar
Chopstick
What to do:
If you've been following any of my blogs, you know that I love three things to infuse with my herbs. Sugar, Salt and butters! Lemon Balm is perfect for an infused sugar. I use this a lot in my Limeade and bread recipes.
*Cover the bottom of your jar with sugar. Like an 1/8 inch
*Put Lemon Balm leaves on top of the sugar
*Take your chopstick and smash the leaves into the sugar. (This is a great one to do with the kids too!)
*Repeat this process for a few layers. So layer of sugar, add leaves, smash with chopstick.
*Once you've reached about 3/4 of the jar add one more layer of sugar until you've covered any herb.
*Let sit for 2 weeks and then enjoy.
The Lemon Balm sugar pictured has already cured, so it should be tinted slightly like the picture and very soft and fluffy. If your sugar has gotten hard, just go to town on it with a chopstick, it's still good.
Put the Kids to Bed Sleepy Herbal Syrup
As I've said, Lemon Balm is a good herb for treating insomnia. This herbal syrup is perfect for those nights when the kids just won't go to sleep!!
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Water
Honey
Jar
What to do:
*Place about 1/2 cup of Lemon Balm leaves in a small pot and cover with water. You're just covering the leaves, not saturating them.
*Simmer for about 20-30 min or until the water has reduced by half
*Strain out leaves
*Add 1/4 cup of honey to 1/2 cup of your infusion while it's still warm. Mix.
*Store in fridge and use when needed!
Lemon Balm Bug Spray
Yes! Like I said earlier, Lemon Balm is part of the mint family, which makes it an excellent bug repellent. Plus the lemon scent is particularly important when it comes to keeping pesky gnats and mosquitoes away.
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Witch Hazel ( you can find Witch Hazel in almost any grocery store)
Jar
Spray Bottle (Amber Bottles or anything opaque works best)
And if you want to really pump up this spray add some, any, or all of these herbs:
Yarrow, Catnip, Lemongrass, Mugwort or Basil.
What to do:
*Stuff herbs in jar until 3/4 full
*Pour over Witch Hazel until herbs are covered
*Leave in dark cabinet for 1-2 weeks.
*Strain out herbs and use.
I like to add some essential oils to mine, but you can use as is. The EO's that I use are
Tea Tree
Lemongrass
Cedarwood
Lemon Balm Infused Oil.
What you'll need:
Lemon Balm
Jojoba oil
Candle warmer or double boiler set up
Jar
What to do:
*Fill jar 3/4 with Lemon Balm Leaves ( i use baby jars for this one, as I don't like to use all my precious oils on one herb)
*Cover with Jojoba oil
*Place on candle warmer for about 4 hours. If you don't have a candle warmer (go get one! It is by far the easiest way to infuse herbal oils) a double boiler will work fine.
*If using the double boiler method, fill a pot water and place jar inside. Make sure no water makes it's way into your oil, it can cause it to go rancid. Heat/simmer for 40-60 min, making sure to never to let your oil boil.
*Strain leaves and store in dark cabinet.
And last but not least.
Make TEA!!!
Dry out some leaves and save for herbal remedy teas!
I hope you had fun using up all your Lemon Balm, if your someone who has it growing out of a pot, I KNOW you have a ton to use!! Let me know what you made!!!
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