Lemon Balm - Home Grown & Home Made

Lemon Balm is one of the plants we learned about when we read through the Herb Fairies books.  I got excited about it and bought a plant, and then found out from friends who have tried it that it is only an annual where we live and it won't come back the next spring.  I was disappointed, especially since I did not actually use my lemon balm the summer I planted it.  I wanted it to put down good roots so I left it alone.  Boy, was I in for a happy surprise this spring when I saw that my lemon balm not only came back, but it had spread it's seeds and I had lemon balm coming up all over my flower garden!  I must have somehow found a good spot where it was happy :)  This summer I am finally going to try some of those lemon balm recipes from the Herb Fairies!

What is lemon balm?

Lemon balm is a herb.  It's Latin name is Melissa officinalis and it is also known as Bee Balm.  It is a member of the mint family.  (Did you know that all mints have square-shaped stems?)  When you rub the leaf of a lemon balm plant in your fingers it releases a strong, lemony scent.

Medicinally lemon balm is:

• antispasmotic - it soothes the nervous system and helps you relax.
• a carminative - soothes the gut.
• diaphoretic - if you have a fever this will help you sweat it out to break the fever.
• antiviral - helps fight off colds and flu.

Smelling the delicious, lemony scent of lemon balm.

Lemon balm is also used to help with ADHD.  Unlike drugs, there are no side effects from using lemon balm.  *People with low or under-active thyroid should avoid lemon balm as it can inhibit the thyroid gland.

Lemon balm should be harvested just before the blossoms develop.  Cut it off two inches above the ground and then you can either dry it, freeze the leaves or use it fresh. 

What got me interested in lemon balm is that it can be used in many yummy treats for the kids but instead of hyping them up like sugary sweets do, it should calm them down :)  Below are some of the treats we are making with our lemon balm this summer.

Lemon Balm Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 T minced lemon balm leaves
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 c butter, softened
• 2/3 c sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 1/3 c flour

Directions:

• Combine first two ingredients.  Press mixture with back of spoon to blend.
• In large mixing bowl blend cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg and lemon mixture.
• Gradually beat in flour.
• Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.
• Roll in wax paper.
• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• On wax paper slice into slices 1/8th inch thick.
• On ungreased cookie sheet bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly brown on edges.

Lemon Drop Leaves (Candy)

Ingredients:

• Fresh, clean, dry lemon balm leaves
• 1 egg white
• Granulated sugar

Directions:

• Whisk the egg white until it is bubbly.
• Dip the leaves, one by one, in the egg white and then coat with sugar.  Use a spoon to make sure leaves are completely covered.
• Place the leaves on a wax paper covered baking sheet.
• Dry in oven (250 F) for about 20-30 minutes (although it will take longer if the humidity is high.)
• Remove from oven and let cool.  Once they are dry and brittle store between layers of wax paper in a jar.

Working together to harvest lemon balm.

Lemon Balm Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 2 c loosely packed, chopped lemon balm leaves OR 4 T dried lemon balm leaves
• Hot water
• Honey

Directions:

• Place lemon balm in a half gallon mason jar.
• Fill jar with just-boiled water and let steep for 20 minutes.
• Strain off leaves and add honey to taste.
• Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

This post has been linked up at:

Before freezing the popsicles we drank some of the tea warm, which was delicious!  We also put some in the fridge to make iced tea.  It was also yummy!  You just can't seem to go wrong with lemon balm :)

What is your favourite herb to grow?  Do you harvest it for eating or medicine?  If you have written any posts about it I would love it if you would share the link to your post in the comments so I can pin it and share it with others :)

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with others so they can enjoy it too! 
You may also want to sign up for my email up-dates
and follow Dot-to-Dot Connections on Facebook or Pinterest.

More Posts From My Home Grown & Home Made Series

• Gardening With Your Kids
• Rhubarb
• Getting Your Children to Help in the Garden
  
• Edible Weeds
• Strawberries