The lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) plant is a thick and bushy perennial herb in the mint family. It does indeed smell and taste like lemon without the sourness.
Can you eat dry lemon balm?
Capsules: Take 300 to 500 mg dried lemon balm, 3 times daily or as needed. Tea: 1.5 to 4.5 grams (1/4 to 1 tsp.) of dried lemon balm herb in hot water. Steep and drink up to 4 times daily.
How would you describe the taste of lemon balm?
What Does Lemon Balm Taste Like? This aromatic member of the mint family has a bright, citrusy taste that brings together the acidity of lemon with subtle hints of mint. Both the stems and fresh leaves of lemon balm have a subtly sweet flavor and can be used in food preparation and medicine.
How do you use dried lemon balm?
Use lemon balm in place of lemon peel in recipes and to flavor soups, sauces, vinegars and seafood. Or add it to your favorite sugar cookie dough for a delicious lemony tea cookie.
What does lemon balm taste like in tea?
Lemon balm belongs to the mint family and features a refreshing citrusy flavor with hints of mint. This tea offers a lemony flavor that is brisk and tart. This herbal tisane benefits from the addition of raw honey from honey bees, agave syrup, and a dash of lemon juice.
What is dried lemon balm good for?
It’s widely considered to have calming properties, is prized for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, promote better sleep, and ease indigestion and bloating, according to Mount Sinai. Health studies have shown that lemon balm can increase individuals’ sense of well-being, happiness, and alertness.
Who should not use lemon balm?
Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.
How does lemon balm make you feel?
Lemon balm is said to soothe symptoms of stress, help you to relax, and boost your mood. A 2004 study found that taking lemon balm eased the negative mood effects of laboratory-induced psychological stress. Participants who took lemon balm self-reported an increased sense of calmness and reduced feelings of alertness.
Does lemon balm tea make you sleepy?
Traditionally, lemon balm herbal preparations have been used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Its mild sedative effect is a well-known feature.
Is lemon balm a stimulant?
Lemon balm suggested uses include for abdominal distension, flatulence, Graves’ disease, herpes labialis (topical), insomnia, as an antispasmodic, appetite stimulant, and digestive aid. Lemon balm is possibly effective for the listed uses.
How long is dried lemon balm good for?
around 6 months
Storage. Your dried lemon balm will keep for around 6 months or so. For optimum freshness, store your jar in a cool dark place. If you see any signs of mould on the dried leaves then you’ll know the leaves did not dry properly.
How do you use lemon balm for anxiety?
TEA. The easiest ways to have your daily dose of lemon balm is to make it into a tea! The ratio is easy to remember:1 tablespoon of dried or chopped fresh lemon balm per eight fluid ounces. Allow the tea to steep for at least eight minutes for best results.
What does lemon balm pair with?
Culinary uses for lemon balm
It is best used fresh with vegetables, light grains, baked fish and chicken. Its lemony sweet flavor is wonderful in desserts and beverages—in spring, I love to combine it with strawberries. Lemon balm goes well with light foods: green salads, fruit salads, and macerated fruits.
Is lemon balm an antidepressant?
Based on meta-analysis results, lemon balm significantly improved mean anxiety and depression scores compared with the placebo (SMD: -0.98; 95% CI: -1.63 to -0.33; p = 0.003), (SMD: -0.47; 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.21; p = 0.0005) respectively, without serious side effects.
Is lemon balm good for the brain?
Clinical trials have highlighted that lemon balm extracts standardised to rosmarinic acid have demonstrated clear benefits in regards to memory and cognitive performance.
Is there caffeine in lemon balm?
Examples of popular herbal teas that are 100% caffeine free include: Chamomile. Mint (including peppermint and spearmint) Lemon balm.
What does lemon balm do to the liver?
Lemon Balm and Its Constituent, Rosmarinic Acid, Alleviate Liver Damage in an Animal Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Nutrients.
Can you drink lemon balm tea everyday?
While more studies are needed to determine how lemon balm tea may help individuals, it does appear that the tea is safe for most people to consume. A person should consult their doctor if they have an underlying condition, such as a thyroid issue, before regularly consuming lemon balm tea.
Is lemon balm an anti-inflammatory?
The use of herbs to relieve pain has a long history in the world of medicine. The fact that the essential oil of lemon balm has anti-inflammatory properties supports the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of numerous diseases associated with inflammation or pain (Bounihi et al., 2013).
Does lemon balm raise blood pressure?
Lemon balm may lower your blood pressure and therefore should be used with caution if you are taking medications with similar properties. It can also lower your blood sugar levels and people with diabetes should use lemon balm with care.
Does lemon balm raise heart rate?
Results: The extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the heart rate (264 ± 5, 259 ± 5 and 281 ± 3 versus 377 ± 13 in control group, p < 0.01).