The Many Uses of Lemon Balm

Submitted by Julie Margolies on Friday, June 3, 2016

This blog was written by Brainfood's DC Career Connect Intern, JaNeya Lee.     

It’s garden time. The sun is out and the cold weather is gone. In the garden we are harvesting snap peas, lemon balm, and chamomile. Lemon balm was something I never heard of before, until I started working in the garden. We harvested the lemon balm to make a lemon balm syrup. “And what is lemon balm?” you ask. Lemon balm is an herb that can live for more than two years. It’s from the mint family and the leaves on the herb have a mild lemon aroma that can be used to make medicine. It can be used in many ways. Here are five ways you can use it:

1. Make Tea (Image from Wikihow)

Image from WikiHow

 

  • If you have a stomach ache you should fill a container with leaves. Pour simmering hot water into the container and seal it so that nothing gets out. Let it cool enough to drink.

   

 

                                                                                                                                       

2. Make Butter (Image from Unique Creations by Sheri Denise)         

  • Mix a half of stick of softened butter with a pinch of chopped lemon balm. Add a drizzle of honey to taste.

 

​3. Make Flavored Water           (Image from Groundswell Farm)

 
  • Fill a pitcher or a bottle with lemon balm leaves and thinly sliced lemon. Then pour cold water all way until it’s at the top. Refrigerate for a several hours.
                                                                               

4. Chop and Add to Fruit  (Image by JEHANNE)

  • Add chopped leaves to fruit salads and drizzle with a dressing of your choice.

 

5. Make Candy (Image by Candice Allouch)

  • Beat an egg white with a little bit of water. Dip lemon balm in the egg mixture then the sugar.  Lay on a parchment lined pan and put them in the oven  at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until they look dry but not browned. Check after 20 minutes then every 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can air dry them too!

Lemon balm has so many uses and recipes that you can make with it. What is your favorite way to use lemon balm?

This post was inspired by this cool blogger: https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/12-things-to-do-with-lemon-balm/. Check out her website for more lemon balm ideas!

 

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