Lemon balm always deserves a spot in your herb garden, indoor or out. If you love growing herbs in containers, give it a slot, too. Why? It’s one of the most productive herbs in your garden. Grow once and harvest for years, like many other perennial plants. Once you give lemon balm proper care and maintenance, it will return your garden with bigger growth. If you are busy or lazy with gardening, you should never miss this herb in your home.
So, today’s post is about 30 amazing uses of lemon balm in the kitchen and beyond. Native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, this herb’s leaves are used as a herb, in teas, and also as a flavoring. It also helps attract bees for honey production. The essential oil and the extract of lemon balm are used in traditional and alternative medicine, including aromatherapy. Enough to bring this herb home, right?
#1 Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea makes an excellent herb to make tea with its calmness and aroma. It’s ok to use either fresh or dried lemon balm leaves. All you need to prepare is 1 cup of water, 10 fresh lemon balm leaves or 1 rounded tablespoon of dried lemon balm, and 2 teaspoons of honey. You can also add in cloves, lavender, orange zest, mint, or other herbs and spices, if preferred.
#2 Lemon Balm Lemonade
Lemon balm leaves make a great companion for lemon. Lemon balm lemonade is a popular drink in scorching days of summer. With 8 cups of water, 3 cups of fresh lemon balm, 6 lemons, for zest and juice, and ¾ cup of honey, you can make this chilling tart and sweet drink. Worth trying, right?
#3 Lemon Balm Mead
An exciting infusion of honey and fresh lemon balm. It’s added in a slice of lemon, strongly brewed black tea, and chopped raisins. Let this brew go into fermentation, bottle, and let it rest for at least one month before imbibing.
#4 Blueberry + Lemon Balm Kombucha
This kombucha is a flavorful, functional, and fermented beverage. It’s packed with probiotics and antioxidants, thanks to the blueberries and green tea. Added in a teaspoon of fresh lemon balm leaves, this drink creates a lovely citrusy note.
#5 Lemon Balm Iced Tea
One of the best summer drinks to chill with friends and family is here. Store your tea in the refrigerator and serve over ice with a slice of lemon or lime to garnish.
#6Â Lemon Balm Soap
All it takes to make lemon balm soap is olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, castor oil, and lemon balm tea. It comes out scented with lemongrass and lime essential oil.
#7Â Lemon Balm Lip Balm
Looking for a natural lipstick to soothe your dry, chapped lips? This lip balm comes as the rescue. It’s made from an infusion of fresh lemon balm leaves in a carrier oil of your choice. Let the mixture infuse for two weeks before blending it with beeswax, honey, and lemon or mint essential oils. Fall is coming. Let’s proceed this DIY project!
#8 Lemon Balm Butter
Spread lemon balm butter on toast, drizzle over vegetables, and brush on meat. Add garlic, basil, onion powder, cayenne, honey, or cinnamon to the recipe if you like.
#9 Herbal Bath
To take a herbal bath, you should fill a muslin bag with fresh lemon balm leaves, rose petals, lavender, yarrow, and other pleasant-smelling herbs. Hang it over the faucet as you fill the tub so the water runs through the herbal pouch. Easy, right?
#10 Lemon Balm Ice Cream
To make ice cream, you will need frozen bananas, frozen mangoes (if preferred), fresh lemon balm, almond milk, and a pinch of sea salt. Whip up this dessert in just 15 minutes.
