Lemon Balm has many benefits, but isn't commonly used in American foods. Let's change that! With a few simple recipes and tweaks, you can find ways to add lemon balm to your diet.
You can also use it in place of mint in any recipe - there are some great mint yogurt dips and mojito recipes that would work great with lemon balm.
It also works great added to water - as an accent. You can let it infuse in the water and drink at your leisure. If you read through the rest of my blog you'll see that I prefer to dehydrate lemon balm and eat the leaves dry. I kind of take them like a pill. That's because I have found it to profoundly effect my mood. From blah to actual joy. And I need to eat some every day.
The best way to use lemon balm - and the most common is by using lemon balm in tea.
Add 4 cups of water
Let the leaves steep in the water for a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 12. You can put the pitcher in the sun, on the counter, or in the refrigerator. Chilled lemon balm tea is quite nice, especially if you add a little maple syrup.
Strain out the leaves and give them to your compost pile (or your chickens if you have them).
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Why would you want to eat or cook with Lemon balm?
Lemon balm has been used as a food and medicine for centuries. It was regarded as the go-to herb for mood and neurological conditions. I can confirm that it has helped me with anxiety and skin aging. It's a low risk herb to try.What are the best ways to eat lemon balm?
Lemon balm can be chopped up and added to almost any food. It smells lemony and has a light fruity taste, so I find it best to add it to fruit salads or on top of berries and whipped cream (cut it up with one of these mincing scissors - amazing!)You can also use it in place of mint in any recipe - there are some great mint yogurt dips and mojito recipes that would work great with lemon balm.
It also works great added to water - as an accent. You can let it infuse in the water and drink at your leisure. If you read through the rest of my blog you'll see that I prefer to dehydrate lemon balm and eat the leaves dry. I kind of take them like a pill. That's because I have found it to profoundly effect my mood. From blah to actual joy. And I need to eat some every day.
The best way to use lemon balm - and the most common is by using lemon balm in tea.
Lemon Balm Tea Recipe
Add 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves to a pitcher (mince or chop the leaves for best effect)Add 4 cups of water
Let the leaves steep in the water for a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 12. You can put the pitcher in the sun, on the counter, or in the refrigerator. Chilled lemon balm tea is quite nice, especially if you add a little maple syrup.
Strain out the leaves and give them to your compost pile (or your chickens if you have them).
Alternatively - you can use 1/4 cup of dried leaves.
The links in this post may be affiliate links and products are often received for review purposes. Read the full disclosure and the privacy policy.
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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate all your tips, advice, and well wishes!
Angela