This plant with a lemon aroma is native to Europe and belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It has long been used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. According to Mount Sinai, it is highly regarded for its capacity to lessen tension and anxiety, encourage better sleep, and relieve indigestion and bloating. It is also commonly regarded as having relaxing characteristics. Lemon balm can improve people's feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and alertness, according to health research.
Since ancient times, Citrus Balm (also known as Melissa officinalis) has been used medicinally to treat a wide range of conditions, most frequently stress and anxiety. Although anecdotal evidence suggests it has a relaxing effect, research has only partially supported this claim. Nevertheless, we are confident it will be a useful addition to your garden. It gives out a nice citrus aroma when you brush across it and is frequently planted to draw bees. Even better, you can use the crushed leaves as a mosquito repellent by rubbing them on your skin. Citrus Balm will also become a staple herb in your cooking, but that's not all.
Uses For Lemon Balm
Treat lemon balm like you would any other fresh herb as a general rule. With its vibrant, fragrant overtones, it functions particularly well in place of mint. For an extra zesty flavour, add entire Lemon Balm leaves to green salads or chiffonade the leaves and spread them over a fruit salad. Adding thinly sliced Citrus Balm to chicken salad, fish meals, or even vegetable dishes as a side dish will enhance the flavor of the fowl. In contrast to other herbs, dried lemon balm is less likely to be found in the grocery store's spice and herb section (though you might find it in specialty health stores and online). Try lemon balm tea as well; it has a nice citrus flavour and is just as calming as chamomile or lavender.
Citrus Balm leaves can be candied, just like mint or basil, and the completed product can be used as a crunchy, crystalline garnish on ice cream or pastries. It also works well in recipes that call for lemon verbena, such as these cookies; however, lemon balm isn't as potent as lemon verbena, so make the required adjustments to the proportions. Infuse water with lemon balm leaves for a refreshing taste that you can consume straight away or use to make granita, a delicate, chilly dessert. Nothing is fancier than flavoured water, after all. Citrus Balm "makes an exceptionally excellent liquor," according to Greenstuff, when it comes to happy hour. Similar to this, to make panna cotta or crème brûlée, infuse heavy cream with Citrus Lip Balm leaves.
Seasonality
Citrus Balm thrives in chilly climates and is in season from early summer to late summer. You want to plant it? Though it can and will handle a tiny bit of shadow, pick the most sunny area you can. Watch it grow to almost two feet tall by giving it plenty of water.
Additional Lemon Balm Varieties
You can ingest Citrus Lip Balm as an oil or supplement in addition to the fresh herb. Lemon balm oils can be made safe to ingest or apply straight to the skin by diluting them with water and vegetable glycerin. It can help to relieve tired muscles, reduce inflammation, and even lessen the swelling and redness brought on by some skin ailments, such as chicken pox, eczema, or psoriasis, even if it is not a cure for any illnesses or diseases. Look for organic lemon balm oil from a reliable source that is manufactured with few additives. Here are a few dishes that utilize Citrus Lip Balm in four energizing ways.
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