Do You Wash Lemon Balm Before Drying?

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 do you dry out lemon balm?

Set the temperature to low (around 95 °F (35 °C) ) in the dehydrator. Lemon balm is a tender herb and will do best on a low setting. Set the dehydrator’s temperature on its lowest setting ( 95 °F (35 °C) ) and allow it to dry for 12–18 hours.

How do you clean lemon balm?

Gently rinse your lemon or lime balm in a bowl with running water. Remove any blemished leaves. Dry the leaves by gently laying them on a clean towel to remove any surface moisture. Water droplets will cause the leaves to turn dark brown or black when hung to dry, so try to remove as much moisture as you can.

Should you dry lemon balm?

Hang your bunches of lemon balm in a cool dry and dark spot in your house. Drying herbs can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks, depending on the level of humidity in your home. Be sure the leaves are completely dry and brittle before you take them down.

How do you know when lemon balm is ready?

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.

How long does dried lemon balm last?

Storage. Your dried lemon balm will keep for around 6 months or so. For optimum freshness, store your jar in a cool dark place. If you see any signs of mould on the dried leaves then you’ll know the leaves did not dry properly.

Can you rub lemon balm leaves on your skin?

Lemon balm is also a popular natural treatment for several common skin conditions. As an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, it helps to reduce the swelling and reddening of the skin that is common in conditions including acne, shingles, chicken pox, eczema and psoriasis.

Can you eat lemon balm leaves Raw?

How to Use Lemon Balm. 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.

Can you apply lemon balm directly on skin?

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.

What can you do with fresh lemon balm?

What to do with the leaves? They’re great for cooking. Use lemon balm in place of lemon peel in recipes and to flavor soups, sauces, vinegars and seafood. Or add it to your favorite sugar cookie dough for a delicious lemony tea cookie.

How do you make lemon balm for the winter?

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.

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.

Where do you cut lemon balm?

Cut back the entire plant once a month after it reaches full size in early to mid summer. Remove a third of the plant with sharp shears, making the cuts near leaves or buds. Use the removed leaves as an herb, garnish or drink flavoring.

Should you cut back lemon balm?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family. Like mints, it does tend to spread but unlike them, it can be kept at a reasonable size if pruned regularly during the growing season. Be brave and prune it to just a few inches tall several times over the summer. Don’t worry, it will grow back rapidly.

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 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 freeze fresh lemon balm?

Freezing works well for basil, chives, oregano, lemon balm, mint, or tarragon. Frozen herbs can be used in the same proportion as fresh herbs. Remember though they will be limp when defrosted, but will still add fabulous flavor to your cooking.

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.

Does dried lemon balm smell?

Because it does grow easily, dried lemon balm is readily available directly from herb suppliers. Dried lemon balm may lose flavor and aroma, but only partially. It does not; however, suffer any medicinal quality.

Can you eat lemon balm?

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.

Does lemon balm keep mosquitoes away?

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.