Can You Dry Lemon Balm Leaves For Tea?

In summer you can make fresh lemon balm tea, or you can dry the leaves for a beverage you can enjoy all year round.

What can I do with dried lemon balm leaves?

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.

Is lemon balm better fresh or dried?

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!

Is lemon balm tea safe to drink?

Lemon balm tea is generally safe for consumption when consumed in small to moderate quantities. As with many teas and herbal remedies, lemon balm tea may cause adverse reactions in certain individuals.

Are lemon balm leaves edible?

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.

How many lemon balm leaves can you eat?

Capsules: Take 300 to 500 mg dried lemon balm, 3 times daily or as needed. Tea: 1.5 to 4.5 grams (1/4 to 1 tsp.) of dried lemon balm herb in hot water. Steep and drink up to 4 times daily.

Do you wash lemon balm before drying?

If you grow your own lemon balm plant and it is free of pesticides, there is no need to wash the plant before using it or drying it. Washing can strip the oils from the leaves; if you are using store-bought herbs, gently rinse them and dry them completely.

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.

Does lemon balm repel mosquitoes?

Lemon Balm
The lemon scent, which repels the bugs, is powerful. It rubs off very well onto the skin. Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats.

What are the side effects of drinking lemon balm tea?

Lemon balm has the potential to cause the following side effects:

• headache.
• painful urination.
• increased body temperature.
• nausea.
• vomiting.
• stomach pain.
• dizziness.
• 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.

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 still good after it flowers?

Cutting back hard after flowering will produce a fresh flush of leaves. Lemon balm can also be propagated by dividing old clumps in spring or early fall, or from cuttings. Replace the plants (if they have lived) after 3-4 seasons, as they generally decline at this time.

Can I use the stems of lemon balm?

They will generally look alike, but they may not smell or taste the same. This is why I highly recommend starting lemon balm from established plants, be it rooted stem cuttings, root divisions, or seedlings from a nursery.

How do you know when lemon balm is ready to pick?

lemon balm is ready to harvest once its leaves reach the desired size. Lemon balm is usually used fresh, as it loses a lot of its scent once it’s dried. Use snips to cut off portions of the lemon balm to use. Leaves can be harvested throughout the summer.

Does lemon balm lower blood pressure?

Lemon balm may lower your blood pressure and therefore should be used with caution if you are taking medications with similar properties. It can also lower your blood sugar levels and people with diabetes should use lemon balm with care.

How do you store lemon balm leaves?

Refrigerate fresh lemon balm in a glass of water for up to 2 weeks. Sprigs of lemon balm are kind of like flowers so they’ll stay fresh when you store them in water. Place the lemon balm stems into cool water and pop a plastic bag loosely over the top. The bag prevents the lemon balm from drying out in the fridge.

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 help you lose weight?

Lemon Balm Tea for Weight Loss
With that unfortunate truth out of the way, we can discuss what Lemon Balm Tea benefits can achieve. One animal-based study found that an extract of the plant can suppress fat tissue growth in mice and kill fat cells.

Is lemon balm addictive?

Although Melissa officinalis is preferred by many people as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, it should be noted and explained to patients that the herb may have a dependency risk and can lead to withdrawal symptoms when consumption is abruptly discontinued.

Why do you dry herbs upside down?

Hanging upside down allows the essential oils to flow downward from the stems to the leaves. Herbs with a higher moisture content (basil, tarragon, mint, lemon balm) need to be dried more quickly, so they won’t mold. Remove the leaves from stems and place on a cookie sheet or cooling rack.