What To Do With Dried Lemon Balm

November 08, 2024 Post a Comment

What to do with dried lemon balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).

Is dried lemon balm edible?

The whole plant is edible, though its the tender leaves you are after. Lemon balm has a long history of a wide array herbal medicine uses, in particular for soothing, calming and raising the spirit – just one smell of the crushed leaves does all of these for me.

What can I do with lots of lemon balm?

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.

How long does dried lemon balm last?

Lemon balm leaves are delicate and dry quickly. You can do it on a tray in the sunshine, in a dehydrator, the oven, or my favorite, in the microwave. Once dry they can be packed in an airtight jar and kept in a dark dry place (like your cupboard) for up to a year.

How do you harvest dried lemon balm?

Air drying To air-dry lemon balm plant, gather 5-6 stems together and tie them up around the stem with a piece of string. To allow for good air circulation, do not tie too many stems together. Hang your bunches of lemon balm in a cool dry and dark spot in your house.

Can you use dried lemon balm for tincture?

To make tincture of lemon balm, you will need: Fresh or dried lemon balm leaves. A strong, high proof alcohol, like vodka. Alcohol will extract and preserve most of the constituents in lemon balm that are poorly soluble in water.

What happens when you drink lemon balm tea?

Also, drinking lemon balm tea can help with insomnia. Compounds in lemon balm may relieve gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating and indigestion. Lemon balm ointments have been found to help heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Is lemon balm tea safe to drink?

While more studies are needed to determine how lemon balm tea may help individuals, it does appear that the tea is safe for most people to consume. A person should consult their doctor if they have an underlying condition, such as a thyroid issue, before regularly consuming lemon balm tea.

Is it good to drink lemon balm tea?

Lemon balm tea may help protect overall heart health. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition found that lemon balm tea can reduce triglycerides and improve the synthesis of cholesterol. Frequent consumption of lemon balm tea may help to reduce bad LDL cholesterol and lower blood pressure (9).

Does lemon balm come back year after year?

Lemon Balm Is Perennial Not Annual Perennial lemon balm will grow back year after year, so it's not an annual. In cold areas that experience frosts lemon balm might die back all the way to its roots, but don't worry. If the ground is well drained it will emerge again in spring with its fresh citrusy scent.

What part of lemon balm is edible?

Edible Parts Leaves are commonly used as a relaxing tea. They can be added into many dishes in which the lemon flavour can be enjoyed. Lemon balm has been added to many desserts including ice cream and custards. It is always to be used fresh when using for food (other than a tea).

Can you rub lemon balm leaves on your skin?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a herb in the mint family. It can be consumed as a tea, taken as a supplement or extract, or rubbed on the skin in balms and lotions.

What is the best way to preserve lemon balm?

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).

Should I freeze or dry lemon balm?

Some herbs maintain their flavor better when frozen instead of dried. Freezing works well for herbs like parsley, dill, basil, chives lemon balm, mint or tarragon.

When should you harvest lemon balm?

The best time to harvest lemon balm is right before the plant blossoms—this is when the oil that creates its signature flavor is at its most potent. You can harvest small amounts of lemon balm for use throughout its growing season by snapping off a few leaves at a time.

Can you hang dry lemon balm?

Drying Method #2: Hang dry This is the simplest method and best one to use if you don't have a dehydrator, but it takes a bit longer for the herbs to fully dry. Tie together a small bundle of lemon balm using some kitchen twine.

What does dried lemon balm taste like?

What Does Lemon Balm Taste Like? This aromatic member of the mint family has a bright, citrusy taste that brings together the acidity of lemon with subtle hints of mint. Both the stems and fresh leaves of lemon balm have a subtly sweet flavor and can be used in food preparation and medicine.

Who should not use lemon balm?

Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.

How do you make lemon balm medicine?

Instructions

Place the chopped leaves into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
Pour vodka over the lemon balm, making sure to submerge the leaves.
Put the lid on the jar.
Give the jar a gentle shake.
Place jar in a dark cabinet and let infuse for 4 weeks - longer is okay.
Strain the leaves from the vodka.

Can you chew lemon balm leaves?

A leaf can be chewed to freshen the breath or crushed and placed on a bug bite to help ease the itch. Our favorite use is to turn it into a lip balm for cold sores! (See #3 below.) If you've ever planted lemon balm, you know how one tiny plant can quickly take over a large portion of your garden!