Air Drying Simply gather several stems of lemon balm together, and tie them up around the stem with a piece of string. Then hang your bunches of lemon balm up in a cool dry spot in your house. Once dried, in approximately 2-3 weeks, follow steps 7 and 8 to store your lemon balm tea.
Should you dry lemon balm?
Drying lemon balm preserves the quality and flavor of the plant for storage. An easy way to have lemon balm on hand is to dry it at home. Drying is simple and safe and you will soon have lemon balm when you want to relax for a good night’s sleep!
What can dried lemon balm be used for?
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).
Is dried lemon balm edible?
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.
How do you dry fresh lemon balm?
Rinse the fresh lemon balm leaves using cold water and lay out to dry on a baking sheet. You can also gather the leaves in bundles and hang dry them by tying them from a clothesline. Once completely dry, store the dried leaves in an airtight container or a brown paper bag and leave in a dark place.
How long does dried lemon balm last?
Store dried lemon balm for up to 1 year at room temperature.
Pop the dried leaves into a glass storage container with a sealable lid. Then, store the lemon balm in a dry location away from light and heat. Label your lemon balm and use it within 1 year of drying the leaves.
What is lemon balm tea good for?
Health Benefits of Lemon Balm Tea
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety. The calming effect of lemon balm tea can help lower stress levels after even the toughest days.
- Improves Sleep.
- Supports Brain Health.
- Alleviates Digestive Problems.
- Treats Infections.
- Prevents Heart Disease.
What are the side effects of drinking lemon balm tea?
When taken by mouth: Lemon balm is likely safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Lemon balm supplements are possibly safe when used at a dose of up to 500 mg daily for up to 6 months. Side effects are generally mild and might include increased appetite, nausea, dizziness, and wheezing.
What happens if you smoke lemon balm?
In the research, they gave the mixture to two groups, and reports showed that participants noticed favorable effects on different aspects of their moods and lower anxiety levels. Likewise, herbal smoking blends containing lemon balm may be able to offer similar effects for those dealing with anxiety.
What can I do with a lot of lemon balm?
12+ Things to Do With Lemon Balm:
- Make a sleepy time herbal syrup:
- Make a lemon balm bug spray:
- Chop fresh leaves and sprinkle on salads or in baked goods:
- Make a lip balm for cold sores:
- Make a glycerite:
- Make a relaxing, tummy soothing tea:
- Make lemon balm soap:
- Make a simple remedy for bug bites & acne:
Does lemon balm affect thyroid?
Thyroid disease: Don’t use lemon balm. There is a concern that lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy.
Does lemon balm come back every year?
Over-winter lemon balm in a protected area such as an unheated garage or patio. Winter growing: Cut back lemon balm in fall leaving just 2 inches of stem. The plant may freeze back to the ground in winter but will re-grow from underground roots and renew itself in spring.
How do I dry lemon balm without a dehydrator?
Place them upside down in a brown paper bag, with stems protruding and tie closed. Punch small holes along the top for air circulation. Hang the bag in a warm, dark, area for about two to four weeks, checking periodically until the herbs are dry.
Can you dry lemon balm in the microwave?
Cover the herbs with a second paper towel or clean dish towel, then microwave them on high power. Most hearty herbs will take around 1 minute initially, followed by a few 20 second bursts until completely dry. Delicate herbs will take 40 seconds followed by a few 20 second bursts until completely dry.
Can you freeze lemon balm for tea?
Freezing. Fresh and chopped leaves of lemon balm can be frozen in vegetable oil and used as a cooking ingredient. Another option is freezing the whole or chopped leaves in ice cubes. This way, they can be added to refreshing beverages or infusions.
What is the best way to preserve lemon balm?
To store your lemon balm, keep the leaves and stems in big pieces to retain as much flavor as possible. Store your herbs in paper bags or glass jars (avoid plastic bags as they may lead to condensation).
Does lemon balm reseed itself?
Make sure you use a liquid or powder rooting hormone for best results. **After the first year, Lemon Balm will reseed itself, so you can just let it fill your garden space with new plants every year.
Can you eat lemon balm after it flowers?
Edibility – 5/5 – Strongly aromatic, reminiscent of sweet lemon, with menthol qualities (without actually being “minty”). The whole plant is edible, though its the tender leaves you are after.
Is lemon balm anti inflammatory?
The use of herbs to relieve pain has a long history in the world of medicine. The fact that the essential oil of lemon balm has anti-inflammatory properties supports the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of numerous diseases associated with inflammation or pain (Bounihi et al., 2013).
Is lemon balm a laxative?
There is also some evidence that lemon balm products, as well as peppermint and angelica root, may be useful in creating herbal remedies for constipation. For example, lemon balm tea benefits seem to include fighting abdominal pain and discomfort after eating, constipation and bloating.
Can you drink lemon balm leaves?
Summary. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb in the mint family. It can be consumed as tea, taken as a supplement or extract, or rubbed on the skin in balms and lotions.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.