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!

What is the best way to ingest lemon balm?

Adult

1. Capsules: Take 300 to 500 mg dried lemon balm, 3 times daily or as needed.
2. 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.
3. Tincture: 60 drops of lemon balm daily.
4. Topical: Apply topical cream to affected area, 3 times daily or as directed.

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.

How long does dried lemon balm last?

Store dried lemon balm for up to 1 year at room temperature.
Label your lemon balm and use it within 1 year of drying the leaves. While you can refrigerate or freezer dried lemon balm, condensation might develop in the container and the herb might spoil.

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.

Can I drink lemon balm tea everyday?

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.

Can you overdose on 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What do you use lemon balm herb for?

12+ Things to Do With Lemon Balm:

1. Make a sleepy time herbal syrup:
2. Make a lemon balm bug spray:
3. Chop fresh leaves and sprinkle on salads or in baked goods:
4. Make a lip balm for cold sores:
5. Make a glycerite:
6. Make a relaxing, tummy soothing tea:
7. Make lemon balm soap:
8. Make a simple remedy for bug bites & acne:

How do you keep lemon balm fresh?

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 tea help you sleep?

Historically, lemon balm has been used as an antiviral and antibacterial medicine to treat infections and viruses. It also shows potential in helping restless sleepers¹⁶ at night. Drinking a cup of lemon balm tea at night may reduce symptoms associated with insomnia¹⁷.

How long does it take for lemon balm to dry?

spread stems and leaves on the drying trays of a dehydrator. Set the temperature at its lowest setting (95°F or 35°C) and dry for 12 to 18 hours.

How do you harvest and use lemon balm?

You can harvest small amounts of lemon balm for use throughout its growing season by snapping off a few leaves at a time. For a bigger harvest, use shears to snip leaves from the center stem, in between side shoots, to continue encouraging bushy, full growth.

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).

Does lemon balm help with weight loss?

Does lemon balm work for weight loss? Because it has anti-inflammatory effects, can help you cope with stress, improves digestion and supports metabolic health, it may be useful for maintaining a healthy weight. It’s a not a magic bullet, but help with weight loss might be a potential secondary effect.

Is lemon balm antibacterial?

Among these products, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant and used for the treatment of headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, nervousness, and rheumatism. It is an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

How long does it take for lemon balm to work?

You won’t have to wait long to start feeling the soothing effects of lemon balm. Its anxiety-reducing influence may be noticeable within as little as 1 hour. The anti-anxiety effects of lemon balm could last about 4 to 8 hours.

Can lemon balm worsen anxiety?

Researchers for one pilot study believe the herb makes the neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) more readily accessible in the brain. (GABA helps regulate your body’s stress response.) It should be noted, however, that too much lemon balm (exceeding 0.6 grams) can actually lead to feeling more anxious.