Lemon balm has a lemon-like taste with a mild mint flavor, while mint highly tastes like menthol.
What does lemon mint taste like?
Lemon Mint (Mentha x piperita ‘Citrata’) – A member of the peppermint family, lemon mint has a delicate lemon flavor. Use the aromatic leaves to make tea or a marinade for chicken or fish. They may also be used to flavor baked foods and jams.
Can you eat lemon balm mint?
As a general rule of thumb, treat lemon balm as you would any other fresh herb. It works especially well in place of mint, offering bright, fragrant notes. Add whole lemon balm leaves to green salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty flavor.
Does lemon mint taste like lemon?
Lemon mint has (surprise, surprise) a refreshing minty-lemony flavor. Use it to replace any other mint with garnishes and seasonings, especially when you need a hint of citrus.
What is lemon balm mint good for?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).
Is lemon balm and lemon mint the same thing?
While lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and lemon mint (Monarda citriodora) are both members of the extensive mint family (Lamiaceae), they have distinct differences. Lemon mint is one of the many species in the bee balm genus (Monarda spp.) and lemon balm and its cultivars form their own genus (Melissa spp.
How can you tell the difference between lemon balm and lemon mint?
Lemon balm and the mint varieties differ in both appearance and flavor. The flavor of lemon balm is mildly lemony with a very slight note of mint, while the flavor of the mint is simply minty with no taste of lemon.
Does lemon balm make you sleepy?
Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking lemon balm with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Does lemon balm help you sleep?
4. It can help ease insomnia and other sleep disorders. Combining lemon balm with valerian may help relieve restlessness and sleep disorders such as insomnia. Researchers in one 2006 study found that children who took a combined dose experienced a 70 to 80 percent improvement in symptoms.
Can you eat lemon balm raw?
You can certainly enjoy lemon balm fresh on salads, or in your favorite recipes, too. Be brave! Experiment with its bright flavor.
Does lemon balm taste sour?
Culinary Uses of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm leaves have a sour and aromatic minty flavor. Like citrus, lemon balm comfortably saddles up to sweet and savory dishes alike.
What plant looks like mint but smells like lemon?
lemon balm
The green leaves of lemon balm have the scent of lemon with a hint of mint, with leaves that look like oversized mint — no surprise, since lemon balm is part of the mint family.
What is lemon mint called?
lemon beebalm
Monarda citriodora is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. Common names include lemon beebalm, lemon mint (this may also apply to Eau de Cologne mint or Melissa officinalis) and purple horsemint.
What does lemon balm do to the brain?
Lemon balm significantly reduces excitatory transmission in the brain by inhibiting an enzyme called GABA-T that breaks down GABA, thus increasing the amount of GABA available in the brain.
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 lower 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).
What can I do with lemon mint?
It is also a common ingredient in herbal teas. A handful of fresh lemon balm and mint makes an excellent hot or iced tea, especially with honey. You can also use the herb to bake a batch of lemon balm cookies or lemon balm bread, whisk up a quick lemon balm vinaigrette, or top your pasta with lemon balm pesto.
Is lemon balm same as lemongrass?
Lemon balm has a lighter flavor than lemon grass, but it gives off a very zesty scent that makes it perfect for aromatic teas. It won’t alter the flavor of your tea as much, but it will add just the slightest lemony tang that gives you the hint of acid you want.
Is lemon balm invasive like mint?
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and spreads just like mint and become very invasive.
Is lemon balm citrus?
Lemon balm is a citrus-scented, aromatic herb. It is a perennial member of the Lamiaceae family and has proven benefit to the nervous system. This lovely Mediterranean native, dedicated to the goddess Diana, is bushy and bright.
Is spearmint the same as mint?
The term “mint” is an umbrella term for the Mentha plant family that includes spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, apple mint, pineapple mint and more. Mint is a perennial and wide-spreading herb.