This amazing herb is a miracle worker for us humans and a favorite of the bees. It is completely safe for adults and children. In fact, it used to be a combined with chamomile and dill as common colic remedy for fussy babies. Made as a tea, it is so tasty! If you are interested in learning more about herbal remedies, Rosemary Gladstar has an excellent introductory book called Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. I highly recommend it! Read on to find out what you can use lemon balm for.
Note: If you have an under-active thyroid or Hashimoto’s, it is best to use this herb only under the guidance of a trusted health care professional as it is considered a thyroid suppressant, for everyone else, enjoy!
Use Lemon Balm for:
- viral infections (especially effective against coldsores, shingles, etc.)
- bacterial infections
- restless sleep
- hyperactive children
- depression
- anxiety
- heart disease
- heart ache
- nervous disorders
How to use lemon balm:
- As a culinary herb: Use lemon balm in salads, smoothies, and other dishes where you would put mint in.
- Tea: You can steep the fresh or dried leaves with hot water. About 10 minutes will give you a pleasant drinking tea. If you want a more medicinal tea, let it steep for longer. Feel free to add other herbs depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
- Relaxing tea: lemon balm with chamomile, lavender, and or holy basil
- Antiviral tea: lemon balm and licorice
Tincture:
A tincture is a good way to get a high dose of lemon balm (or another herb) into your body for an acute situation, such as the onset of a flu or cold sore. They only take a few minutes to prepare, but you will have to wait at least a few weeks for it to be ready. Go here for a tutorial on how to make you own tincture, or you can buy a ready made tincture to have on hand such as those by Herb Pharm.
Bath:
Add at least 1/2 cup fresh or dried herbs to cheesecloth or a strainer and secure it to the tub faucet under hot running water for the first few minutes. Next, adjust the water to a comfortable temperature. Feel free to add other herbs such as lavender or chamomile if desired.
Do you use lemon balm? Are you going to try it?
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I had no idea lemon balm was considered a thyroid suppressant! I’m concerned something is going on with my thyroid – I’m female and middle aged living in the US, so the odds are good something is hinky with it. I hope, once I discover what the issue might be, that it doesn’t mean I’ll need to be mindful of using lemon balm – I sort of use it all through the growing season! Such a heavenly smell and taste.
Thanks for the great article!
Hi Tessa!
This may sound strange, but one of the best things you can do with a thyroid that is going “wonky” is to completely eliminate gluten from your diet and personal care products (even properly prepared wheat, rye, etc.) The reason for this is called molecular mimicry. Thyroid molecules are remarkably similar looking to the proteins found in wheat. A confused body that has developed a sensitivity to wheat will then mistakenly start attacking thyroid tissues thinking that it is an antigen or threat. I would go strictly gluten-free (even avoiding contamination) for one month and then slowly reintroduce. PM me if you have any questions!!
Chelsea
PS: in regards to lemon balm, I wouldn’t worry about occasional use, especially once you have your thyroid figured out. 🙂
I love lemon balm and grow it every summer. Well actually, it sort of grows itself like you mentioned! lol I have used it many ways but never in my bath. What a great idea! I’m going to try a lemon balm bath tonight!
Hi Lisa!
Let me know what you think!
🙂
Great article! I’m definitely going to use it to help with cold sores. Thanks so much for the thoughtful article!
Shannon
Let me know how it goes!
I just love this herb! It so reminds me of my mother’s garden growing up…we had tons of it there 🙂
I never knew though how many health benefits it had…I must try to use it for cold sores!
It is such an amazing herb!Let me know how it goes!
I had no idea about any of these benefits. I love the information you share — it’s so easy to process and SO important to know! I wonder if i could keep lemon balm in an indoor pot? It sounds like something I’d love to add to my plants and herbs. Thanks for sharing!
It is a very hardy plant, so I think it would do well indoors. Just make sure it is a big pot and keep it pruned. 🙂
Oh, lovely lemon balm! It’s nice how it grows so freely where I live. It’s great to be able to just head out and pick some at any time. Your relaxing tea blend recipe above sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. 🙂
My pleasure!! 🙂