Lemon Balm is useful for so many things but I love it most for it’s relaxing and calming properties. Let’s explore how to use lemon balm for stress and anxiety (and tension too!) I’ve even included some lemon balm recipes that can be helpful in driving away stress and anxiety.
I’ve been meaning to write a blog post about how much I adore lemon balm for a while now. It’s truly a wonderful plant to grow in your garden (or even in a pot!)
I’ve been growing lemon balm in my garden for several years now and each year, I’ve come to love it more and more. The more I use it, the more I realize how incredibly useful this plant is in my day-to-day life.
Lemon balm (also known as Melissa) is easy to start from seed and you may even find it for sale at your local garden center or nursery. Just be warned, lemon balm is a member of the mint family and like most mints, it can easily take over your garden if you let it. Plant it in a large, empty, sunny area where you won’t mind it spreading and you’ll have yourself a good supply of lemon balm for drying and using fresh in all sorts of things.
Lemon Balm: A Relaxing Nervine
Lemon balm is useful for so many things but I love it most for it’s relaxing and calming properties.
The word “balm” by definition means something soothing, healing or comforting and that is truly what lemon balm does.
Life is stressful— the kids fight, the “to do” list seems never-ending, the car is making a funny noise, you feel like you’re always on the go, you can’t sleep, and so on and so forth. You get it. Sometimes it feels like the stress (both good and bad) is something we constantly battle. Thankfully, there’s lemon balm to help us deal with the stress with a happier heart and to unwind at night and sleep more deeply. Who doesn’t need a little lemon balm in their life in this day and age!
Lemon balm has long been used as a remedy for the nerves. Hippocrates, Galen, Culpepper and even Shakespeare all spoke of it’s attributes. There are also records of Thomas Jefferson growing lemon balm at Monticello. Around 1696, John Evelyn wrote that “balm is sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away melancholy.
Lemon balm actually has a direct impact on the nervous system, soothing and calming frayed nerves. Known as a relaxing nervine, lemon balm relaxes, soothes and supports the entire nervous system.
Herbalist Jim McDonald refers to lemon balm as “the sunshine herb” because it uplifts our spirits. I love that!
Lemon balm may help if you’re:
-
anxious
-
tense
-
stressed out
-
mildly depressed
-
restless
-
irritable
-
in a panic
-
nervous (with or without heart palpitations)
-
wound-up
-
agitated
-
burning the candle at both ends
-
over-working yourself
-
unable to sleep
Lemon Balm is considered safe for most people to consume daily but be sure to check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions. If you have a underactive thyroid, it’s best not to consume lemon balm in excess.
Tips for Using Lemon Balm for Stress and Anxiety
-
While dried lemon balm can be effective, the fresher the lemon balm, the more effective it will be. If you grow your own lemon balm, take advantage of it as much as you can while it’s fresh and super potent!
-
Pick your lemon balm on a hot, sunny day and it will contain more aromatic oils.
-
Dry your fresh lemon balm to use over the winter. I love using my dehydrator to dry herbs but you could also hang them to dry or put them in a hot car on a sunny day.
-
Be sure to store your dried lemon balm in a glass jar out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will cause your herbs to lose their potency more quickly.
-
While lemon balm is relaxing and will help you sleep more deeply at night, it will not make you drowsy so it can be consumed any time of the day.
-
Have a favorite tea blend? Try adding a little dried lemon balm to it. Lemon balm adds a delicious, lemony flavor that most people (and kids) love.
Lemon Balm Recipes for Stress and Anxiety
Next, we have some lemon balm recipes that will lift your spirits and drive away the stress, tension and anxiety!
Lemon Balm Infused Water Recipe
This is such an easy and delicious way to consume fresh lemon balm throughout the summer and early fall! I find it easiest to make by the half-gallon.
Equipment
- 1 jar with lid — the 1/2 gallon Ball Canning jars work great in this recipe.
Ingredients
- fresh lemon balm (leaves and stems) to loosely fill the jar
- water to fill the jar
- optional additions: fresh lemon, lime or orange slices, cucumber slices, fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves, dried hibiscus flowers, etc.
Instructions
- Loosely fill a glass jar with fresh lemon balm leaves. If desired, add any of the optional ingredients for added flavor.
- Fill the jar with water and refrigerate for several hours. Serve cold.
Relaxing Lemon Balm & Chamomile Tea
A relaxing and calming tea blend that supports the Nervous system and relaxes tension.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp dried lemon balm
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions
- Add lemon balm and chamomile to a tea strainer or tea pot.
- Pour hot water over the herbs. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes.
My “Unwind Tea” recipe also features lemon balm and is another great recipe to try. You can find it in my free Ebook, 3 Home Remedies You Can Make in an Afternoon.
Lemon Balm Tincture Recipe
Drinking tea or infused water isn’t always convenient, so this is where a tincture comes in handy. It’s easy to throw it in your bag and take as needed. It travels extremely well. You’ll find that the nerve calming properties are stronger when you tincture the fresh lemon balm.
What you’ll need:
-
1 wide mouth pint jar with lid
** See recipe notes.
-
1 jar with lid for storing your completed tincture
-
Tincture bottle with dropper
-
Approximately 1 cup dried lemon balm
or 1 1/4 cups fresh lemon balm leaves
-
Approximately 1 3/4 cup 80-100 proof vodka or apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
-
Fill the jar half way with dried lemon balm or 2/3 of the way with fresh lemon balm leaves.
-
Pour the vodka or apple cider vinegar over the herbs. Completely fill the jar and seal with a lid. Shake well.
-
Label and date your jar.
-
Store your jar in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks. Shake your jar often, every day if possible.
-
After 4-6 weeks, strain off the lemon balm and discard. Fill a small tincture bottle (with a dropper) for daily use and pour the remainder in a clean glass jar.
-
Label and date your bottle and jar. Store in a cool, dark place where it will keep for several years.
-
Dosage: 2-5 ml (0.4 – 1 tsp,) 2 to 5 times a day in a small amount of water.
Recipes Notes:
-
Apple cider vinegar will cause your metal caps to rust. If using apple cider vinegar in your tincture, use either a plastic lid or place a piece of plastic wrap between the jar and the metal lid.
Lemon Balm Glycerite (Alcohol Free) Recipe
Another option for easy consumption is a lemon balm glycerite. A glycerite makes a great choice for kids because it’s alcohol free. Almost like a cordial, lemon balm glycerite is sweet and delicious.
What you’ll need:
-
an 8 oz glass jar
-
approximately 3/4 cup loosely packed fresh lemon balm or 1/2 cup dried lemon balm (fresh is best)
-
3/4 cup organic or non GMO food grade vegetable glycerin
-
approximately 1/8 cup distilled water
-
Tincture bottle with dropper
-
a jar or bottle for storing your completed glycerite
Instructions:
-
Fill the jar half way with dried lemon balm or 2/3 of the way with fresh lemon balm leaves. If using fresh lemon balm, crush them a bit with your hands or with a wooden spoon.
-
Pour the glycerine over the herbs. Add distilled water as needed to completely fill the jar and seal with a lid. Shake well.
-
Label and date your jar.
-
Store your jar in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks. Shake your jar often, every day if possible.
-
After 4-6 weeks, strain off the lemon balm and discard. Fill a small tincture bottle (with a dropper) for daily use and pour the remaining glycerite in a clean glass jar. Label and date your bottle and jar. Store in a cool, dark place.
-
The shelf life of your lemon balm glycerite is about a year.
-
Adults: Take 1/2 to 1 tsp as needed.
I hope you experiment with using fresh lemon balm in new ways! We’d love to hear your experience with using lemon balm for stress, anxiety & tension in the comments below.
Did you try any of these recipes? Please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below or sharing a picture on my Facebook Page or on Instagram and tagging me @myhealthyhomemadelife.
I love hearing your feedback!
Subscribe Here
References:
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar
Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Foret
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne
Rosalee de la Foret. http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/
Herb Mentor by Learning Herbs
This site is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice. Information found on myhealthyhomemadelife.com is meant to motivate you to make your own health care and dietary decisions based upon your own research and in partnership with your health care provider.
My Healthy Homemade Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Enjoy this post? Share & Like
66 Comments