Lemon Balm Monograph

BeWell Bohemia Herbs & Things

Herbal Monograph, by Brooke Criswell

Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

When I moved into our current house mid-summer last year, I was astounded at the abundance of lemon balm growing in rock strewn plantings, along the house, in the yard… everywhere. An assertive grower, as many mint family plants are, the lemon balm was well established and comfortably spreading every which where. I harvested a bountiful crop, dried, and stored it. Over the winter I shared the bounty with friends. Lemon balm has many positive attributes, including a subtle lemony-flavor and sooth to nervous system. I don’t drink much lemon balm because I have a hypo-thyroid condition, and lemon balm can impact the thyroid in a ‘slowing’ or ‘calming’ capacity, which is not helpful to me. I do drink tea blends with lemon balm on occasion. I find it especially delightful in a spritzer or iced tea.

Lemon balm is easy to grow, so, if a timid or novice gardener, lemon balm eases the way into successful gardening. Put it in a pot or the ground, it does well in either; full-sun, part-shade, also both. Dry conditions, no problem if it is an established plant and in the ground (in a container, drought is another ballyhoo entirely).

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Garden Use

Growing Conditions  Lemon balm is a confidant perennial to zone 4.

Preferences

Moist soil
Fun sun to part shade
Neutral pH (7.0)

Plant details

Height 2 to 3 feet

Width up to 2 feet, spreads abundantly

Companion Planting Affiliations

Bees are found of lemon balm

Care notes

Since lemon balm is an assertive grower, you might want to control it with limits; for example plant it in a raised bed, a bed with edging, or a container. Or Dig it up and share with a friend when it pops up beyond where you prefer it to grow.

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Herbal Use

Parts Used  - Leaves

When to Harvest

Harvest ongoing for immediate use
Cut back early summer and again late summer and dry crop

How to Prepare

There are many ways to use lemon balm to support wellness.

> As a compress
Use a clean soft cotton cloth soaked in a strong infusion of lemon balm to relieve painful swellings (e.g. gout)

> As an infused oil

• Begin by harvesting lemon balm leaf and drying it completely. In order to decrease the likelihood the oil will go rancid, make the infused oil from dried lemon balm leaves. If you opt to use fresh leaves, crush or chop them first, and know the shelf-life of the infused oil is considerably shorter.

1. Fill a clean, wide-mouth glass jar ⅔ to ¾ full of herb
2. Pour carrier oil, such as olive oil, over plant material the place lid tightly on jar
3. Set on the counter (some folks say in a sunny window, others say a dark spot - experiment and choose your preference)
4. Shake daily to mix oil and herb
5. Allow to sit for at least two and up to five weeks
6. Strain and store in a cool, dark, dry place

Penelope Ody, in The Complete Medicinal Herbal, suggests applying a warmed lemon balm infused oil as an ointment1 on chest to help open airways and soothe tension.

> As an insect repellent

• Rub crushed lemon balm leaves onto a table to thwart insects
• Toss a bundle of lemon balm leaves onto a campfire; the smoke repels insects

> As a steam 

A lemon balm steam reportedly cleanses pores and the skin.

• Place crushed lemon balm leaves into a bowl
• Pour boiling water over leaves
• Make a loose tent using a towel over the shoulders and head
• Breath in steam* be careful, it is steam - hot, moist air - do not burn yourself, keep a safe distance between you and the bowl, remove head from tent if the air is too hot

> In Recipes suggests Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia2

• Chop fresh lemon balm leaves and add to orange marmalade
• Stuff fresh lemon balm sprigs into a whole fish before grilling or baking; remove sprigs before eating the fish

> As a tea

Infuse the herb in boiling water to extract many of the beneficial constituents.

1. Boil water
2. Place 2 tsp of fresh or 1 tsp of dried herb per 8 oz water into teapot, press, thermos, or mason jar *The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody states that the infusion is best made from fresh plant material.1 (aren’t you glad you have it growing in your garden?)
3. Pour boiling water over blooms
4. Cover (this is very important, for if uncovered the constituents will rise with the steam, and you will have a less flavorful, less potent cup of tea)
5. Allow to steep for 10 minutes
6. Strain and Enjoy!

Lemon balm flavor can be mild, so blending it with other herbs makes an excellent choice.

The "Medicine Chest" column of the Summer 2017 issue of Herb Quarterly suggests pairing tulsi and lemon balm. "Holy basil [another name for tulsi] and lemon balm blend calms the nerves and uplifts the spirits."3

Cautions/Considerations

Lemon Balm may slow or lower thyroid function if taken in high doses.

References

1. Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. Dorling Kindersley, 1993

2. Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs: Editors. Rodale Press, 1987.

3. Graves, Maria Noel. "Medicine Chest." Herb Quarterly, 2017, pp. 20 - 22.