The Greatest Methods to Use Lemon Balm at Dwelling (Plus 10 Recipes to Strive)

Each week we get Down & Soiled, by which we break down our favourite distinctive seasonal fruits, greens, and extra.

What Is Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm (aka Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented herb that’s a part of the mint household—yep, it would look and scent citrusy, nevertheless it’s really an in depth cousin of shiso and peppermint. You’ll most likely spot bundles of it at your native farmers market through the summer time months, and it’s identified for its delicate, barely crinkled leaves that launch a vivid, lemony aroma when rubbed. Although usually used recent, lemon balm can be out there as an oil or extract, which could be added to meals or drinks. Analysis round its well being advantages continues to be rising (extra on that under), however its culinary potential is already well-loved in kitchens and gardens alike.

Thanks in no small half to Deborah Madison’s Vegetable Literacy, it has grow to be unimaginable for us to walk by way of a farmers market with out occupied with which fruit and veggies belong to which plant household. One take a look at lemon balm leaves—whether or not coarse and bushy in texture, arrowhead or heart-shaped, or scallop-edged—and also you’d seemingly guess that the plant belongs to the identical household as mint and shiso, slightly than being a direct relative of the lemon fruit. And you would be proper. Yet another intelligent deduction, this time from its identify, and you will work out that this herb is lemon-scented. Some evaluate its lemony taste and aroma to that of furnishings polish (and, in reality, the leaves can be utilized to shine wooden), however you are most likely higher off placing lemon balm to make use of in different methods. It’s a culinary wizard and much too prime to make use of rather than a countertop spray.

The Well being Advantages of Lemon Balm

This lemon-scented herb (which comes from the Lamiaceae household) is native to Europe and has lengthy been used as a culinary, medical, and beauty herb. It’s broadly thought-about to have calming properties, is prized for its potential to cut back stress and anxiousness, promote higher sleep, and ease indigestion and bloating, in accordance with Mount Sinai. Well being research have proven that lemon balm can enhance people’ sense of well-being, happiness, and application. 

Lemon balm (aka Melissa officinalis) has been used medicinally for a very long time to deal with all kinds of illnesses, mostly stress and anxiousness. Analysis has considerably confirmed its calming impact, however you may most likely choose up on it anecdotally, and we will virtually assure will probably be a helpful addition to your backyard. It is usually planted to draw bees and releases a pleasing lemony scent as you sweep up towards it. You may even crush the leaves and rub them in your pores and skin as a mosquito deterrent. However that is not all: Lemon balm will grow to be a go-to herb in your kitchen, too. 

The best way to Use Lemon Balm

As a normal rule of thumb, deal with lemon balm as you’d another recent herb. It really works particularly effectively rather than mint, providing vivid, aromatic notes. Add entire lemon balm leaves to inexperienced salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty taste. Lemon balm additionally pairs superbly with poultry—strive including sliced leaves to rooster salad, fish dishes, and even vegetable dishes to serve on the aspect. In contrast to different herbs, you’re much less prone to discover dried lemon balm within the spice and herb aisle of your grocery retailer (although you may discover it in specialty well being shops and on-line). Give lemon balm tea a strive too; it’s simply as soothing as chamomile or lavender however with a stunning citrus taste.

Identical to mint or basil, you may also sweet lemon balm leaves and use the completed product as a crunchy, crystallized garnish over ice cream or tarts. It additionally works wonders in recipes that decision for lemon verbena (like these cookies)—however observe that lemon balm is not as intense, so regulate the quantities as obligatory.

For a thirst-quenching sip, infuse water with lemon balm leaves, which you’ll be able to drink as is or use to create granita, a lightweight, icy dessert. In spite of everything, nothing is fancier than flavored water. When it comes time for completely satisfied hour, “lemon balm makes a fully scrumptious liqueur,” says Greenstuff. Equally, infuse heavy cream with lemon balm leaves to make panna cotta or crème brûlée.  

Seasonality

Lemon balm grows in chilly climate and is in season all through the summer time into early fall. Need to plant it your self? Select the sunniest spot you possibly can, although it may and can deal with a teeny little bit of shade. Water it often and watch because it grows practically two toes tall.

Different Types of Lemon Balm

Along with the recent herb, you may also devour lemon balm within the type of an oil or complement. Lemon balm oils could also be reduce with water and vegetable glycerin, which simply makes it secure to devour orally or used instantly in your pores and skin. Whereas it isn’t a treatment for any diseases or illnesses, it may act as an support to assuage sore muscle tissue, scale back irritation, and even scale back the swelling and redness related to sure pores and skin situations like rooster pox, eczema, or psoriasis. Search for natural lemon balm oil made with minimal components from a good retailer. Forward, we’re sharing some recipes that use lemon balm in 4 refreshing methods.

Our Favourite Lemon Balm Recipes

1. Okra Seed Couscous Salad

Okra seed “couscous” is a neat, nutty ingredient that shines on this loosely Mediterranean-inspired salad. Skinny slices of cucumbers are tossed with recent lemon balm, sumac powder, and feta cheese, plus the okra, for a lightweight summer time aspect.

2. Cannellini Bean Croquettes

There’s not sufficient good issues we will say about these crispy, golden brown vegetarian bites. A handful of recent herbs resembling lemon balm perks up the strong vegetarian combination made with cannellini beans, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese.

3. The Sundown Palmer

Perk up a traditional Arnold Palmer with a power-packed mix of recent lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena leaves, and lemon zest. Mix freshly brewed black tea with the lemon-herb combination for a cooling sip on a scorching day. Past this beverage, use lemon balm to make fancy ice cubes or a easy syrup to sweeten any drink.

4. Radish & Herb Salad With Sungold Tomatoes & Strawberries

Two cups of combined vivid herbs (suppose: lemon balm, dill, basil, and mint) are a stunning addition to this juicy summer time salad. The only dressing made out of yogurt and maple syrup introduces candy, creamy notes that coats every component of this dish.

5. Recent Burrata & Grilled Peach Salad

This summery salad requires a mixture of “delicate herbs”—suppose basil, mint, tarragon, or dill—to layer in freshness alongside juicy grilled peaches and creamy burrata. It’s the proper place so as to add lemon balm to the combination. Its light lemony zing enhances the sweetness of the peaches and provides brightness to the entire dish. Simply tear just a few leaves and scatter them excessive earlier than serving.

6. Fruit Salad

This grown-up spin on a traditional fruit salad leans on juicy summer time fruit, a splash of St. Germaine, and a beneficiant scattering of soppy herbs to maintain issues attention-grabbing. The recipe encourages mixing in no matter herbs you will have readily available—so it’s the proper alternative to toss in some recent lemon balm. 

7. Mint Limeade (With a Lemon Balm Twist)

You may add lemon balm to any type of lemonade or limeade drink. Even when the recipe requires lemon mint, including lemon balm offers it an additional layer of citrus-mint complexity. Muddle it into the syrup base, or float just a few leaves proper within the pitcher to subtly infuse.

8. Tea Thyme Soda (With Lemon Balm Easy Syrup!)

This refreshing selfmade cocktail soda will get its natural kick from a thyme-infused easy syrup, black tea, and lemon juice. To make it much more summery, strive steeping just a few sprigs of lemon balm together with the thyme within the syrup.

9. Raspberry Lemon Balm Jam

One other wonderful means to make use of lemon balm? Do-it-yourself jam. This recipe pairs tart raspberries with recent lemon balm for an expansion that’s vivid, a bit of floral, and simply the correct amount of candy. The herb enhances the fruit’s pure taste with out overpowering it—good on toast, layered in a cake, or swirled into yogurt.

10. Macerated Summer season Fruit Shortcakes

This breezy summer time dessert options juicy macerated fruit spooned over tender shortcakes—and a intelligent use of the leftover juices to make a vibrant sauce. It requires mint or basil, however you possibly can simply sub in (or add!) lemon balm for a fragile citrusy twist. 

Editor’s Notice: This story was up to date in Could 2025 to inlcude much more lemon balm data and recipes. 

What are your favourite methods to make use of lemon balm? Inform us within the feedback!