Lemon Balm Recipes: food, drinks, remedies, + more! (2024)

FAQs

What remedies does lemon balm have? ›

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).

You may be able to minimize side effects, such as stomach upset, by ingesting lemon balm alongside food. You can also reduce your risk for side effects by consuming fewer than 2 grams of lemon balm per day. Lemon balm should only be used for a short period of time.

Add whole lemon balm leaves to green salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty flavor. Lemon balm also pairs beautifully with poultry — try adding sliced leaves to chicken salad, fish dishes and even vegetable dishes to serve on the side.

Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.

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.

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. While it did combat swelling and pain, the authors could not make conclusions about the plant's exact anti-inflammatory mechanism.

The tea has historically been used to treat digestive disorders and to alleviate pain including menstrual cramps and headaches. Lemon balm tea also offers a mild calming effect, making this beverage a good choice for people who suffer from sleep disorders or are looking for a bedtime tea.

How to Use Lemon Balm. As a general rule of thumb, treat lemon balm as you would any other fresh herb. It works especially well in place of mint, offering bright, fragrant notes. Add whole lemon balm leaves to green salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty flavor.

Lemon balm may also interact with certain medications and have mild effects on thyroid function. Additionally, consuming too much lemon balm can cause gastrointestinal issues. However, when used in moderation, lemon balm is generally considered safe.

Raw – Scatter in salad, on puddings or as a garnish. Syrup – infuse into a 1:1 sugar:water syrup by gently heating. Don't boil.

Is lemon balm good to drink? ›

Traditionally, people use lemon balm tea to help improve mood, slow cognitive decline, and decrease anxiety levels. It may also help with insomnia, relieve menstrual pain, and support gastrointestinal health. Lemon balm is a lemon-scented herb from the mint family.

Lemon balm is a popular food and drink ingredient, as well as an herbal supplement. There is some evidence the plant may help improve mental health, sleep, digestion, PMS, and cold sores. Lemon balm is generally considered safe, especially when consumed as a tea or food.

According to enzyme and pathology results it can be concluded that consumption of lemon balam extract dose dependently causes toxicity in liver tissue.

How does it work? It is proposed that lemon balm may work by increasing gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels in the brain. GABA is a mood regulator which works by stopping neurons from becoming overexcited, and low levels of GABA can lead to restlessness and anxiety.

Spiritual Cleansing: In some spiritual practices, lemon balm is used for its cleansing properties. It is believed to have the ability to cleanse negative energy and promote positivity. It can be burned as incense or used in smudging ceremonies to purify a space and promote positivity.

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.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb in the mint family. It can be made into tea, taken as a supplement or extract, or rubbed on the skin in balms and lotions.

The extracts and Essential Oil (EO) of the lemon balm plant have some pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antiviral properties.