Thinking of adding lemon balm to your herb garden? These tips for growing and using lemon balm will help you get started.
Lemon balm is a popular herb used in herbal teas, wines, and as a fragrance for beauty products. The lemon scented leaves have even been used to polish furniture. Lemon balm is a great herb to enjoy for summer beverages and dishes. The lemon-mint flavor makes for a simple water flavoring right from the garden. These Tips for Growing and Using Lemon Balm will help you get the most out of this flavorful herb.
Tips for Growing and Using Lemon Balm
Growing Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is similar to its relation, mint. The small flowers grow in small clusters at the top of stems in a lemon yellow color that will pop in your flower bed. They also add an edible addition to your landscaping. While lemon balm most commonly has a lemon fragrance, some varieties can have a citronella oil fragrance.
Lemon balm is an easy plant to grow. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained but moist soil. A good compost will help your lemon balm thrive. Lemon balm is a great option for your flower bed, herb garden, window box, or standard pots. It is a perennial grown from seed that can be grown from cuttings taken in the spring or fall as well as routed divisions as your plants grow larger than the area you intend to keep it.
Harvesting and Storing Lemon Balm
Lemon balm grows throughout the warm months. Throughout the growing season, you can harvest the leaves as you intend to use them. Clip what you need and leaving the rest to grow and thrive. For long term storage, you can harvest large quantities of leaves and hang for drying or opt to freeze.
Medicinal Uses for Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has been used for its calming and mood enhancing properties. Lemon balm is commonly used to treat anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and depression. Use it as a light and relaxing tea by infusing 1-2 tablespoons of fresh leaves in boiling water. Drink 2 to 3 times a day.
Cooking with Lemon Balm
With the heat of summer upon us, lemon balm infused water is a great refreshing drink for a hot day. Simply place several leaves into your water and then let it sit in the fridge for several hours. You can also freeze lemon balm into your ice cubes to add that lemon-mint flavor to your water, tea, and even lemonade.
You can add lemon balm to fresh summer salads, fruit dishes, and even to your favorite fish and poultry dishes. Add lemon balm and your favorite herbs and a bit of cracked pepper for a sizzling lemon herb chicken.
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