A trip to a specialty shop or farmer's market may turn up lemon balm, a sweet herb that is part of the mint family. In addition to serving as a unique way to add a bit of sweetness to recipes, lemon balm has many other uses. Because this herb is not a common find in the typical grocery store, you could also grow lemon balm in a small pot or in your garden from seed or transplants.
Culinary Flavoring
Use lemon balm in any recipe where lemon flavor is needed. You can replace other lemon-flavored herbs with lemon balm, including lemon basil, lemon catmint, lemon verbena and lemon thyme. Do not employ lemon balm in place of lemon grass, however, as the characteristics differ greatly. While many people enjoy the taste of lemon balm, this attractive herb also finds use as a garnish for drinks, salads and other recipes. Lemon balm also makes a tasty hot or cold tea. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends making lemon balm tea by steeping up to 1 tsp. of dehydrated lemon balm in boiled water but warns not to ingest more than four times each day.
Sleep Aid
Include lemon balm in your diet to promote sleep. This herb has long been in use for this purpose, and the practice continues to this day. Research published in the June 2006 issue of the journal "Phytomedicine" notes that children who suffered sleeping problems had reduced symptoms by taking a combination of lemon balm and another herb known as valerian. Study participants had no side effects from this treatment. To take lemon balm to calm your nerves and encourage sleep, consider taking lemon balm in capsule form, in tincture form or in tea. An appropriate dosage of lemon capsules ranges from 300 to 500 mg at frequency of 3 times each day; you may also take 40 to 90 drops of tincture 3 times daily. Lemon balm tea for the purpose of calming and sleep is likely safe for pregnant women as well, although you should discuss the use of lemon balm with your physician.
Cold Sore Treatment
Cold sores can leave your mouth tingling with pain. While over-the-counter and prescription treatments exist, you may wish to try something natural. Lemon balm is often incorporated into creams as a cold sore therapy, but you can also make your own herbal remedy at home. Combine crushed lemon balm with boiling water, and apply the solution to cold sores regularly after the mixture has cooled. This treatment allegedly speeds the healing of these sores.
Health Considerations
Consume lemon balm with caution if you take sedatives or thyroid medications. While no studies confirm that this herb interferes with these pharmaceuticals, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns that it may interact. Consult your physician to discuss the safety of consuming lemon balm as precaution.
References
- North Caroline State University Cooperative Extension; Lemon Balm; Jeanine M. Davis; May 1997
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lemon Balm
- American Pregnancy Association; Drinking Herbal Teas During Pregnancy; October 2008
- "Phytomedicine"; A Combination of Valerian and Lemon Balm...Dyssomnia in Children; S.F. Muller, et al.; June 2006
Member Comments