How to use lemon balm
Growing this useful herb will ensure a continuous supply of teas, tinctures… even furniture polish, says Jane Wrigglesworth.
Make teas, tinctures, and even furniture polish, says Jane Wrigglesworth.
Long revered for its medicinal properties, lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis) has a reputation for calming the nerves, promoting sleep and reducing intestinal problems such as gas and bloating. Its many good qualities include relieving flatulence and suppressing cramps, and it is also known for having mild sedative and antiviral properties. This fragrant herb can also be made into a refreshing tea and used as flavouring in the kitchen.
The highest amounts of volatile oil are obtained in the leaves just before flowering, so this is the time to harvest leaves for drying if you wish to use them during winter. However, be aware that when you dry the leaves, the lovely lemon scent disappears.
Note: Avoid lemon balm if taking thyroid medication, as it may reduce its effectiveness.
Reduce stress and aid sleep
Lemon balm helps to alleviate stress and irritability, and to promote a good night’s sleep. It does this by inhibiting an enzyme that is responsible for the breakdown of GABA, the neurotransmitter that decreases activity in the nervous system.
You can make a refreshing lemon balm tea by steeping the leaves for 2-3 minutes, but for its therapeutic properties, you will need to steep it for longer. Loosely pack a teapot with fresh leaves, add freshly boiled water and steep for 10-15 minutes. You can also make a large pot in the morning, allow it to cool and put it in a flask or drink bottle to sip on throughout the day.
Got stressed out kids? Give them a lemon balm ice block. Lemon balm is ideal for calming restless children, and some studies suggest it helps those with ADHD. The results of one study, where 169 primary school children with symptoms of ADHD were treated with lemon balm and valerian root over seven weeks, showed their lack of concentration decreased from 75 to 14 per cent, hyperactivity decreased from 61 to 13 per cent, and impulsiveness decreased from 59 to 22 per cent. Sleep and social behaviour also improved. To make ice blocks, add a little honey to fresh lemon balm tea (steep for 10-15 minutes). Allow to cool, then pour into ice block moulds and freeze.
Emergency cold sore treatment
Lemon balm appears to reduce the time it takes to recover from cold sores. One double-blind study of 116 individuals with oral or genital herpes showed participants who used a lemon balm cream for up to 10 days showed a significantly better rate of recovery than those using a placebo.
To make your own treatment for cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), infuse 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon balm leaves in 1 cup of water for 30 minutes. Dab the liquid onto spots with a cotton pad 3-5 times daily.
The highest amounts of volatile oil are obtained in lemon balm leaves just before flowering, so this is when to harvest leaves to dry to use over winter.
You can make refreshing lemon balm tea by steeping the leaves for 2-3 minutes, but for its therapeutic properties, you will need to steep it for longer.
Make a salve
Salves are easy to make but infusing the oil takes time. Pick a few bunches of lemon balm leaves and leave them to wilt for 12-24 hours to remove most of the moisture. Place them in a glass jar and cover with cold-pressed virgin olive oil (or sweet almond oil). Screw on the lid and place the jar on a bright windowsill, out of direct sunlight, for 4-6 weeks. Shake once a day. Then strain through a fine muslin cloth. Pour the infused oil into a glass bottle, label with the name and date, and store in a cool, dark cupboard.
Then make your salve. Place 15g beeswax and 100ml lemon balm-infused oil in a double boiler and heat on low until the beeswax is melted. Remove from the heat and add 10 drops St John’s wort oil (this is optional, but it is very good for treating the herpes virus, along with lemon balm). Pour into small, clean, dry jars or tins. Let it cool completely before placing the caps on the jars. Store in a cool, dark cupboard.
DIY calming tincture
Try this tincture when nerves are shot. Just put a few drops under your tongue to calm yourself.
Place lemon balm leaves in a glass jar. Cover with vodka and seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place in a warm spot (not direct sunlight) and let the herbs steep for 6-8 weeks. Gently shake the jar once a day. Strain and pour into a glass jar. Store in a cool, dark place. Take a few drops when needed.
Get your antioxidant fix
The American Society for Nutritional Sciences published a study in 2003 that assessed the levels of antioxidants in dried herbs. Lemon balm had among the highest. Of the dried herbs tested, oregano, sage, peppermint, garden thyme, lemon balm, clove, allspice and cinnamon all contained very high concentrations of antioxidants (>75mmol/100g).
Dry and crush the leaves with other herbs from the list to make a herb condiment. ✤