Lemon Balm

[SlugLobber]

I was given some of this a couple of months ago and it's running riot where I planted it! Trouble is, I'm not sure what to do with it!!! Can I make a tea from it? Use it in cooking, wrap up festering wounds? Help!!

[Starchild]

Lemon balm makes a nice soothing tea at night, excellent for helping sleep.

[Demeter]

there's a thread on here called "any practical uses for lemon balm?" or similar, with various ideas including insecticide, tea, and cooking tips.

I keep a plant on the windowsill by the toilet - family tradition - good for counteracting pongy toddler poos!

[Earthbabe]

Using it as a tea (tisane/infusion) is great. Great for cooking where you want a subtle lemony flavour - fish, chicken etc.

[SlugLobber]

Ooh thankies! I'll pick a load and use it in some tea this weekend. Was hoping someone would say 'tea'!

[Starchild]

I mix lemon balm with peppermint to make a tea for trapped wind or lemon balm and chamomlie to calm my ADD son down.

It is also used in a herbal remedy from boots for stress.

[SlugLobber]

Just to update - I made the tea!! I simply poured boiled water onto freshly picked leaves and let them infuse for 5 mins before straining through a tea strainer. Nothing else added at all. It was as nice, if not nicer than, other herbal teas and my stomach felt much better for it (was quite bloated and stressed - don't ask!). So, I looked it up in my Herbs and Phytopharmaceuticals book. It says that it's indicative in being a sedative, is spasmolytic and good for circulatory and nervous disorders as a result.

As a Raynauds sufferer, this is very good news! I've made two more lots since my first go and been very chilled out this weekend! Weeeeee!!

[Demeter]

I am drinking some right now
It's delicious, and I can already feeling it helping out the old digestion...

[grannysmith]

Hi everyone---I'm new to this board. Just to say I also have lemon balm in the garden and it has run riot. Apart from weeding it out from places I didn't plant it, I also harvest it for use in tea and for when I make lemon chicken. I would recommend planting it in pots, though, unless you want to find it everywhere in the garden.

Great board!

[andrewo]

Lemon Balm needs cutting down around July/August and it will regrow. You can use it to make lollies, ice cream and tea, soft drinks or an addition to pimms. Anything that needs lemon in, use it, even chew it to freshen breath.

[grannysmith]

Actually, andrewo, I hadn't thought about using it in pimms---brilliant! Thanks!

[divvy]

lemon balm

I have a recipe for a gooseberry and lemon balm cake. It's basicly a sponge mixture with a handfull of chopped lemon balm added , mix then add whole goosebrries , mix again and put in cake tin and cook . I use a shallow tin. Good served with ice cream or cream.

[tricky]

hi star child
never thought of using for my son who has adhd , will try it

[CarolineW]

Would anyone with riotous lemon balm be willing to send me a bit, please? I've got various seeds, or sorrel, rosemary, etc, which I could swap for it. I've read that it's difficult to grow from seed, and I've had difficulty sourcing a plant, so it would be fantastic if someone could help out.

[kitchengardner]

gooseberry fool

I have a recipe for a gooseberry and lemon balm cake. It's basicly a sponge mixture with a handfull of chopped lemon balm added , mix then add whole goosebrries , mix again and put in cake tin and cook . I use a shallow tin. Good served with ice cream or cream.

Lemon balm goes really well in gooseberry fool as well. I also use mine in cheesecakes and to flavour chilled vodka shots.

Regards

kitchen gardener