Lemon balm should not be missing from the planting plan for the herb garden. We have put together for you here what talents the Mediterranean mint family has to offer. This is how you use and process the herb plant with expertise.
What can you use lemon balm for?
The uses of lemon balm include uses such as medicinal and medicinal, refreshing tea, delicious culinary herb in hot and cold dishes and as a fragrant houseplant for relaxation and bee and butterfly pasture in the garden.
Traditional medicinal herb – the forces of nature are at work here
When lemon balm was named medicinal plant of the year in 1988 and medicinal plant of the year in 2006, it was rightly so. Thanks to the numerous valuable ingredients, herbalists still use the leaves to relieve he alth problems today. The pharmaceutical industry can no longer do without lemon balm. The following overview provides information about common applications:
- to calm the nerves and promote sleep as a tea
- antispasmodic for gastrointestinal complaints as a liquid or dry extract
- for healing inflammation of the skin as a bath oil
- relieves migraines and headaches as a tea infusion or through inhalation
Homeopaths process lemon balm leaves into an ointment (€5.00 on Amazon) to cure the dreaded herpes disease. In addition, lemon balm is a main ingredient in the classic natural medicine Klosterfrau-Melissengeist.
Refreshing drinking pleasure
Nobody has to be suffering to enjoy the refreshing pleasure of lemon balm. He alth-conscious housewives use it to conjure up a really he althy family tea. To do this, process a tablespoon of dried lemon balm leaves and scald them with 1 liter of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes, strain and use warm or cold as a thirst quencher for young and old.
Aromatic culinary herb – lemon balm enriches the menu
The gourmet hobby gardeners use home-grown lemon balm to refine numerous warm and cold dishes. Thanks to the fruity aroma, you can use the fresh leaves in invigorating punch or delicious fruit desserts. The fine mint aroma goes wonderfully with sweet dairy dishes and also rounds off savory fish dishes.
Fragrant houseplant – simply breathe in well-being
Smart hobby gardeners use lemon balm as a houseplant to benefit from its beneficial attributes in their home.
- the essential oils spread an atmosphere of calm and relaxation
- with its herbaceous habit and pretty leaves, lemon balm is a feast for the eyes
- countless white flowers attract everyone's attention from June to August
Placed on the windowsill in the kitchen, the fragrant lemon balm creates an appetizing ambience. Not to mention the short journey for the cook to harvest the leaves.
Swarmed pasture of bees and butterflies
Lemon balm has become an indispensable part of the natural garden. With its incomparable bouquet, it attracts hordes of busy bees, fluttering butterflies and other beneficial insects. Hard times are coming for the pests on the ornamental and useful plants in your green kingdom.
Tips & Tricks
As versatile as lemon balm can be used in fine cuisine, in one case the leaves run out of aromatic steam: you should not expose the lemon balm to staying in boiling water for minutes. Ideally, use the herb leaves freshly harvested and only add them to the food immediately before serving.
