lemon balm? Uses?

[janeyo]

I have received a packet of lemon balm with my gardeners world free seeds.
I have never used it before.
Is it a herb worth growing?
What can I use it for?

Thanks

[Nicos]

Yup- I'd grow it..infact I have some!!!

We make tea with it

here's some more info about it!

Lemon balm

[janeyo]

Thanks Nicos, think I will do some for a couple of pots if only for the bees to enjoy!

[andrewo]

It's also great in pimms and in lemonade, you can make a herb wine from it too. There are a number of uses for lemon balm, but it is refreshing in drinks, desserts etc.

[Twinkle]

pick 3-5 leaves, rip them up a bit and pour on some boiling water
cool and drink as a tea for PMT.

[faerieprincess]

The tea (or tisane) is also very beneficial if you have a cold/flu. It is most effective if taken at the VERY beginning, just when you start to feel a bit poorly.

[nilling]

Invasive!

It's also invasive so put it in a pot or such-like, a member of the mint family.

[fireblade]

have tried it before and had no success... thanks for the link, will try again this year as i got some free seeds!

can't resist sitting in the garden with a glass of pimms on a sunny day

[janeyo]

I did some in a little pot on the window sill and now got them all up and looking fine. Excited about the pmt remedy!

[Herbie]

I did some in a little pot on the window sill and now got them all up and looking fine. Excited about the pmt remedy!

Let us know if it works

[divvy]

If you grow gooseberries you can make a lovely cake with them and lemon balm . It's just a basic cake mix but you add raw gooseberries and a handfull of chopped lemon balm , mix tog and cook . Lovely with cream .

[Snadger]

I seem to have 'aquired' some in my herb bed. I don't remember planting any but it's deffo arrived!

[rana]

In curries a few chopped up leaves thrown in at the end is a great addition for that hint of intense lemon.