Lemon Balm

I love all things lemon, so it’s no surprise that the scent of lemon balm instantly makes me smile. Every time I’m in my garden, I can’t resist rubbing a few leaves between my fingers just to breathe in that bright, fresh aroma. I’ll usually eat a leaf too! It’s refreshing and has become one of my favorite little garden rituals.

Ironically, lemon balm doesn’t always taste quite as lemony as it smells. Older, brown dried leaves lose much of that wonderful citrus character, which can be a little disappointing. Freshly dried leaves that are still vibrant green, however, are wonderfully aromatic. And if you’ve never tried a tincture or, even better, a fresh lemon balm glycerite, you’re missing out—they’re sweet, fragrant, and absolutely delicious.

For years, I mostly appreciated lemon balm for its wonderful fragrance. It wasn’t until I learned about one of its most remarkable uses that it became a staple in my own herbal cabinet.

I’m a very light sleeper. Every little movement or sound from my husband would wake me up throughout the night. One dropperful of lemon balm tincture before bed completely changed that for me. Suddenly I wasn’t waking at every tiny noise. Since then, I’ve recommended it to others with the same complaint, and they also love it!

One of my absolute favorite combinations is equal parts Lemon Balm and St. John’s Wort. One client described it perfectly: she said she could actually feel her brain relax, breathe out the stress, and take in warmth and peace. I appreciated her description, but I didn’t truly understand it until I experienced it myself. One day I was feeling unusually discouraged and couldn’t shake it. I reached for my lemon balm and St. John’s wort tincture blend, and about thirty minutes later I realized that heavy feeling had lifted. Since then, it’s become one of my favorite combinations for those with difficult, situational days or for supporting those who struggle with the winter blues.

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by lemon balm’s usefulness alongside Motherwort and Bugleweed for clients experiencing symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid. In the few cases where I’ve used this combination, the ladies reported fairly quick relief of their symptoms.

Lemon balm applied topically, works wonderfully for cold sores. It helps take away the stinging discomfort, often shortens how long the sore lasts, and frequently keeps it from progressing into the painful blistering and scabbing stage. I originally used lemon balm by itself, but now my favorite topical oil combines Lemon Balm, St. John’s Wort, Self-Heal, and Clove.

Another favorite use is for sore mouths. When someone has multiple canker sores or oral thrush, I often recommend a cooled tea made from Lemon Balm and Yarrow as a mouth rinse. I’ve seen this simple combination bring tremendous comfort and relief.

If you’re making tea, I especially enjoy preparing a cold infusion from fresh lemon balm leaves. The cool water seems to preserve more of that wonderful lemony fragrance and flavor than dried leaves often do. Every spring and summer, you’ll find me wandering through my garden, rubbing a leaf between my fingers, taking a deep breath, and popping a fresh leaf into my mouth. Sometimes the simplest pleasures really are the best.

Lemon balm is one of those herbs that works well as a fresh tincture or, at a minimum, a freshly dried tincture. The comparison to older dried lemon balm is noticeable. This is the main reason I grow Lemon Balm in my garden.

As always, herbs are best matched to the individual. Lemon balm and St. John’s wort may interact with certain medications, and St. John’s wort is well known for interacting with many prescription drugs. If you’re taking medications or have a medical condition, be sure to speak with a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal supplements.