I’ve been growing lemon balm for years. Honestly, it’s one of those herbs I can’t imagine my garden without. It’s pretty invasive and takes your garden without an invitation too. But it has so many good qualities, that I simply love it. It calms my mind after a rough day. It helps me sleep. And it makes my tea taste like sunshine. And my strawberry-lemon balm summer drink? Amazing!
Here’s everything I’ve learned from actually using it.
Lemon Balm is good for what?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a powerful, fragrant herb. You probably would love it for its soothing lemon scent and numerous health benefits. The scientific name Melissa officinalis comes from the most characteristic properties of the plant – medicinal and a bee plant. Not only the little white flowers but also the leaves attract the bees. The honey of melissa from the Mediterranean has a characteristic lemon scent and is of extraordinary quality.
Always use the natural god-given plant, fresh or dried leaves. Avoid extracts, powders, tinctures, or essential oils. This way, you can benefit from the plant’s full healing properties in the most gentle and natural form. Traditional medicine and supplements often isolate individual compounds from whole plants. While it’s important to understand how these compounds work, we believe the true value lies in using the whole plant. It’s like breaking apart a watch — you can study each gear, but you can’t tell the time without the whole mechanism.
By using the whole plant, you stay connected to nature’s balance, have better control over what you consume, and reduce the risk of toxicity.
Used for centuries in traditional medicine, lemon balm is a versatile herb that can enhance your well-being in various ways.
I have it in several places in my garden. It spreads and grows quickly.
Health Benefits of Lemon Balm
The Persian folk medicine uses lemon balm for its digestive, carminative, antispasmodic, sedative, analgesic, tonic, and diuretic properties, as well as for functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant
It has potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate conditions like arthritis and inflammatory skin conditions.
Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect the body from oxidative stress and free radical damage.
Boosts Immunity
Regular use of the plant can help strengthen the immune system, keeping common illnesses at bay.
It has antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it effective against common infections. It is particularly noted for its effectiveness against the herpes simplex virus, helping to reduce the duration and severity of cold sores.
I’ve tried it and it really helps. Just try to extract little bit juice from the leaves and place it over the spot you feel the cold sore is coming. Together with oregano oil, basically, they save me.
Anxiety and Stress Relief
The plant has natural sedative properties. Because of it’s calming effects, it improves sleep quality and helps you to reduce anxiety and stress. It is often used in teas and aromatherapy to promote relaxation and improve mood.
I use it as a lemon balm tincture and it’s great. Just 2-3 drops, and for me it’s better than melatonin.
Aids Healthy Sleep and Relaxation
Lemon Balm tea and lemon balm tincture is an excellent remedy for insomnia.
Lemon balm has mild sedative properties and it’s often used in aromatherapy and teas to promote relaxation. Studies suggest that lemon balm can improve mood and cognitive function, helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Its calming properties can help improve sleep quality and duration when taken before bedtime. Same study suggests that lemon balm can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall heart health by reducing stress and anxiety.
Enhances Memory and Focus, Neuroprotection
Furthermore, the plant can boost cognitive function, including memory and concentration. Studies found out, that it increases acetylcholine levels in the brain, which is essential for memory and learning.
Some studies suggest that the plant may help protect the brain from age-related decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Aids Digestion
Another benefit of this extraordenary plant is that it can soothe digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and indigestion. It helps stimulate the production of digestive enzymes and alleviates stomach cramps. The herb has antispasmodic effects, which can reduce spasms in the gastrointestinal tract and provide relief from discomfort.
Helps with Insulin Resistance and Weight Loss
Additionally, studies have found that lemon balm can help with insulin resistance and maintaining healthy weight.
Recent research reveals that Lemon Balm may be a natural weight-loss aid, helping to decrease body fat.
Spasmolytic Effect
The antispasmodic and calming effects of lemon balm can help relieve menstrual cramps and discomfort.
Against Depression
It is an ingredient of a melissa water, which is well known calmative.
How to Use Lemon Balm
Cooking
Its lemon scent combines perfectly with dishes that need lemon juice. Its an excellent match for fruits, fruit salads, smoothies. You can also use it to flavor poultry and fish.
Tea and Iced Tea from Dry Leaves
Brew fresh or dried lemon balm leaves in hot water for a soothing herbal tea. Drink it to relieve stress, improve digestion, or enhance sleep quality. Alternatively, use let it cool down and drink it as an iced tea. Remains good in the fridge for up to 12-18 hours.
Lemon Balm Dry Leaves Infusion/ Iced Tea
Lemon Balm Dry Leaves Infusion
Ingredients
- 1-2 spoons dry lemon balm leaves
- 2 cups (500 ml) of boiling water
- Optional: 1-2 tbsp of honey
Instructions
Pour 2 cups (500 ml) of boiling water over 1–2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaves.
Let it steep for about 5 minutes.
Strain and allow it to cool.
Store it in the fridge and enjoy 2–3 times a day as an iced tea.
You can add some honey if you like it sweet.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
In the summertime, you can easily make also an infusion. Pour 2 cups (500 ml) of boiling water over 1–2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaves. Let it steep for about 5 minutes. Strain and allow it to cool. Store it in the fridge and enjoy 2–3 times a day as an iced tea. You can add some honey if you like it sweet.
Essential Oil
Use lemon balm essential oil in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety, or dilute it with a carrier oil for topical application to treat skin conditions and minor wounds. Never indigest, because it’s toxic.
Infused Water
Lemon Balm Detox Water Recipe Infusion
Basic Recipe for Detox Water with Mediterranean Lemon Balm, Infused Water with Mediterranean Lemon Balm
Ingredients
- 1. About 6 cups of water (1.5 liter of water)
- 2. 3-4 stalks/sprigs of lemon balm
- This means a small branch of the plant, usually including several of its leaves still attached to the stem which range from 2 to 4 inches long.
- Optional: 1/2 lemon in slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash the fresh lemon balm thoroughly.
- Combine: Put the stalks in the water in a jug or in a bottle. Add the lemon slices, if you opt for it.
- Infuse: Stir the mixture well and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors and nutrients to fully infuse into the water. You could add some honey, just to sweeten it up. However, the less sugar it has, the better it is.
- Serve: Pour the detox water into a glass and enjoy! You can refill the pitcher with water a second time before replacing the ingredients, however, it might not taste so intense.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Natural Energy Drink
Known as the spirit lifter, lemon balm is perfect as an ingredient in all-natural energy drinks. Try our favourite strawberry-lemon balm energy drink!
Lemon balm is a powerful and versatile herb that can support brain function, digestive health, sleep quality, and more, there are 7 more Mediterranean herbs that we love to use because of their health-boosting benefits and as a natural addition to our daily routine.
how many glasses of this a day is ok?
Lemon Balm is not considered toxic https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK600583/#:~:text=Lemon%20balm%20was%20used%20in,clinically%20apparent%20acute%20liver%20injury and when infused in water, it simply adds a light, refreshing flavor—making it a lovely herbal option to sip throughout the day. You can enjoy 3–4 glasses daily.
how many glasses of this a day is ok?
Lemon Balm is not considered toxic https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK600583/#:~:text=Lemon%20balm%20was%20used%20in,clinically%20apparent%20acute%20liver%20injury and when infused in water, it simply adds a light, refreshing flavor—making it a lovely herbal option to sip throughout the day. You can enjoy 3–4 glasses daily.
Where can I get lemon balm
Hi Donna! You can buy lemon balm seeds online and plant them in your garden or in pots. You can also find Lemon Balm herb plants (often in 2-packs) at Home Depot or local garden centers. It’s easy to grow, spreads quickly, and makes a great addition to any herb garden!
Where can I get lemon balm
Where can I get lemon balm
Hi Donna! You can buy lemon balm seeds online and plant them in your garden or in pots. You can also find Lemon Balm herb plants (often in 2-packs) at Home Depot or local garden centers. It’s easy to grow, spreads quickly, and makes a great addition to any herb garden!
Lemon balm is sold at Lowe’s also. It really spreads quickly and can be invasive so I plant mine in pots. I love the fragrance in my bath water too. Thanks for the article.
Thank you!
Lemon balm is sold at Lowe’s also. It really spreads quickly and can be invasive so I plant mine in pots. I love the fragrance in my bath water too. Thanks for the article.
Thank you!
Lemon balm is sold at Lowe’s also. It really spreads quickly and can be invasive so I plant mine in pots. I love the fragrance in my bath water too. Thanks for the article.
Thank you!
does dried lemon balm work as well?
Yes! Just added how to prepare it in the post!
does dried lemon balm work as well?
Yes! Just added how to prepare it in the post!
does dried lemon balm work as well?
Yes! Just added how to prepare it in the post!