14 Lemon Balm Benefits + Easy Tea Recipe
Lemon balm benefits the body in a spectrum of amazing ways, but it also carries risks. Discover how you can incorporate the bright flavor and support of lemon balm into your healthy living routine.
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I grow my own lemon balm here on the farm. It’s easy as pie to pull off. I use a jug sowing method in the spring to start my seeds and they come up really easily. From there, the perennial plant (which is a member of the mint family) grows and spreads on its own and will stay vigorous right up until frost.
Lemon balm is a wonderful container herb–if you don’t have space for it to spread in the ground, just put this little wonder in a pot.
But what does it actually do for you? More than you might realize!
**Of course, you should never start any herbal therapies until you talk to your doctor and get the green light. So make sure you do that first–especially if you have any health conditions or take prescription medications.**
Lemon Balm Benefits
- Lowers triglycerides–When used aromatically (that means you breathe it in) Melissa essential oil (which is lemon balm) has been shown to lower triglycerides which could impact a variety of other health conditions.
- Treats heart palpitations–Use caution if you plan to try lemon balm for any kind of heart rhythm issue, but studies have shown that lemon balm can help reduce episodes of palpitations in some people.
- Natural antibacterial–With its ability to fight a spectrum of bacteria inside the body, lemon balm has shown particular effectiveness against candida–a type of yeast that can cause brain fog, digestive issues, exhaustion and more.
- Treats diabetes–Primarily for type 2 diabetes, studies have shown that lemon balm extract or oil is beneficial in the reduction of blood sugar levels. It is not a replacement for insulin.
- Calms anxiety–Despite some studies from outside sources who conflict this statement, many people say that lemon balm benefits their battle with anxiety.
- Treats insomnia–Lemon balm is said to help calm and offers a mild sedating effect that promotes sleep.
- Improves cognitive function and focus–A study of young adults who took lemon balm internally found an improvement in mood and the ability to focus.
- Helps manage ADHD in children–Perhaps thanks to its calming effect, lemon balm reduces hyperactivity and impulsiveness and improves focus for some school children.
- Fights the herpes virus–Even though there’s no way to ever get the herpes virus out of your body, you can focus on preventing outbreaks and that means keeping the virus under control. For cold sore sufferers, lemon balm reduced outbreaks, duration and pain/itching. Plus there’s no viral resistance to the herb over time so it can be used repeatedly.
- Fights cancer–Lemon balm has been shown to cause cancer cell death in the deadly brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme. It has also shown a positive effect on certain types of breast, liver, and some types of leukemia.
- Battles inflammation--Chronic inflammation can support a variety of diseases and trigger pain in the body. Lemon balm has shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Manages overactive thyroid–Known as Grave’s Disease, lemon balm stops certain substances that trigger the thyroid from binding to receptor cells and helps slow down an over active thyroid.
- Soothes constipation–Studies are still being done but early research shows that lemon balm, peppermint and angelica root may be helpful treatments for constipation.
- Reduces PMS symptoms–When taken in a capsule form, lemon balm reduced those pesky mood swings, weight gain and bloating in high school age women.
When to use caution with lemon balm
Just because you can grow it, certainly doesn’t mean lemon balm benefits everyone. You should avoid lemon balm if you have a hypothyroid because it can negatively effect your thyroid medications.
Some people have had allergic reactions to lemon balm ranging from anaphylactic responses and rashes. Use caution if lemon balm is new to you.
And of course, if you are nursing or pregnant ask your doctor before you start using lemon balm.
Where to buy lemon balm
This part can get so very tricky. Always make sure you are buying oils from reputable brands like DoTerra or Young Living. Remember you’re looking for Melissa. A little goes a very long way and while it is expensive, you don’t want to use a brand that may have additives or sketchy ingredients. Lemon balm benefits can only be as good as the source you get them from.
For a capsule, you may consider one like this:
If you’d like to know more about dosages, you can check this post.
How to make lemon balm tea
I love my lemon balm tea–and while my recipe isn’t very scientific, it’s delicious and I enjoy a steaming cup several times a week and it never seems to make me feel sleepy. Even my kids enjoy it!
Lemon Balm Tea
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon balm leaves chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon raw honey optional
Instructions
- Chop the lemon balm leaves to release their oils. Set aside.
- Heat the water in a cup in the microwave or on the stove until boiling.
- Mix the leaves and water in a mug and allow to stand 10 minutes to steep.
- Stir in honey and strain if desired. Drink warm.
Nutrition
You can certainly enjoy lemon balm fresh on salads, or in your favorite recipes, too. Be brave! Experiment with its bright flavor.
I have a whole garden full of Lemon Balm, I have Mint also, love both in my salads!! And I’m trying the tea for sure😊
I tried it! It was absolutely delicious! I have a ton of lemon balm outside my house!
My brother stuffed a chicken with lemon balm leaves and mint leaves then baked it. He said it was a delicious flavor. He has so much growing around his house he lets his hens eat it to keep under control. Haha!
My lemon balm has purple flowers ? Anyone else? Hoping to make tea with it 🙂
@Jami, yes it is amazing! Helps me with my ADHD my anxiety and my bipolar I’m so glad my aunt grows this and gave it to me so I discovered the benefits.
@Melissa, it’s refreshing to read as I have all of the same. I am hoping that it helps and I can get/receive the benefits 🙂
I am so grateful for your recipe for making Lemon Balm tea from the fresh leaves.
I used to make it like some other teas (with fresh herbs), simmering it for 10 minutes and using the whole leaves.
I felt it was not right,that it had to be more sensitive”. It didn’t taste good, also.
Here, with you I found it ALL. Thank you.
I love to make Sun Tea from it. I live in California and there is very often 5,6 hours of very strong sun during the day.
This tastes very wonderful. I am looking forward to the taste of “Your” Tea recipe. Thank you again.
You’re welcome Keala. I hope you enjoy it.
The stuff grows wild in my back yard. I had known about the calming effect but just read something committing it to melatonin for sleep (I don’t have insomnia, I just don’t sleep deeply long enough).
I brewing a pot full now, which I prefer to really steep the oils out:
Pot of water (I use distilled).
Stuff with leaves and leave boiling for 5 minutes.
Turn off heat and let steep for at least 20 minutes (I leave it longer).
Sweeten with raw Stevia or granulated erythritol.
I keep it chilled in the fridge and use instead of water for refreshment.
I was grateful for all your extra notes. I’m struggling with high levels of old viruses (including EBV and HHV-6, herpes) and I have Lyme disease which is making me nearly incapable of normal living.
Here’s to a summer of healing for free!
@Paula A Thornton, how was your Summer of healing? I do hope you found relief. I, too, am dealing with an acute case of Bartonellosis that came long ago with my Lyme/EBV, etc. and was looking for more relief- could it be this simple? Desperate minds want to know.
@Paula A Thornton, don’t ever use distilled water for anything you drink. Distilled water leeches minerals out of your body and causes a host of issues. Do your research. Distilled water is not for drinking
Curious to know, can you make the tea with fresh leaves then freeze it for later? I would love to have Lemon Balm tea year round, but drying the leaves seems to make the tea rather bitter. Thoughts?
I think you could Rachel!
Tear the lemon leave with your hands to get the oils out then rub them on chicken or pork and add your favorite seasoning. Yummy
Can it be used everyday for long periods of time?
You’d need to ask an herbalist Angela. Sorry I can’t give you medical advice. –Rachel
Thank you for this. I think I have some in my garden. It looks like tall stems of mint but it has a lemon aroma. After a while it produces a tiny white flower.
Would this be Lemon balm? Can I still use it when flowering?
I can’t tell you for certain if it is or not Heidii but you can find pictures online and compare it! You only need the leaves, so yes it’s fine to use when it’s flowering as far as I know. –Rachel
Sounds like lemon balm. I still use mine in flower. In general though when an herb flowers, the potency in the leaves decreases.
@Heidii, I downloaded an app called “seek”, you allow it to use your phone camera, focus it on a leaf and it will tell you the name of the plant. It’s awesome.
Amazing herb. Second only to Valerian root for anxiety.