If you’re looking to boost your health journey with a soothing and delicious herbal infusion, lemon balm tea is a great choice. This herbal tea is a favorite, not only for its brisk, tart taste, which it derives from the lemony, minty notes of the Melissa plant, or lemon balm, but also for its well-documented efficacy in treating various ailments. It’s an immediate crowd-pleaser with an elegant beverage profile that complements a wide range of herbs and sweeteners. The tea’s long history of medicinal use, from thousands of years ago in the Mediterranean, underscores its potential for calm and soothing powers and even anxiety reduction. Whether enjoyed for the incredible taste or for medicinal purposes, it’s an experience worth exploring.
Get started with some homegrown lemon balm for the optimum result. The fresh leaves are quickly harvested for a cup of potency and benefits. Making your tea is as easy as pouring hot water over a handful of leaves and letting it steep, and the culinary magic comes after steeping for 5-7 minutes. Once you have recipes frozen, mix and match flavors to experiment—try adding complementary flavors for a spin on the original recipe; think honey or mint for a cool touch. This herbal drink is soothing in nature and comes in a range to help you settle down and find if any of these products would be the best way to help your health. It’s no wonder this classic gem remains a star in kitchens around the globe.
What Is Lemon Balm Tea?
Lemon balm tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the Melissa officinalis plant, a species of the genus Melissa in the mint family. This native plant is native to parts of Europe and Africa, particularly around the Mediterranean, and has been utilized for hundreds of years. Also called balm mint, common balm, or simply balm, it has a long history of culinary use — in salad dressings, marinating chicken and fish, for example — as well as serving as a natural herbal remedy. Sweet lemon scent and lemony aroma attract people in both kitchens and medicine cabinets.
Lemon balm is also known for its multiple benifits. From stress reliever to sleep promoter, it has demonstrated the ability to alleviate anxiety and depression while bringing the nervous system down to homeostatic levels. Lemon balm tea has also been shown in studies to help lower blood pressure, which may protect the heart and potentially decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. This herbal tea is said to act as a body protector and an alleviator of many ailments. Lemon balm has been proven effective in a variety of ways, whether you need a mood lift or a mental relaxer.
Beyond its health benefits, lemon balm has many practical applications as well. It works as a mosquito repellent and a skin balm and can be used to rinse hair and clarify the scalp. Its aromatic and medicinal properties make it an effective tool in holistic healing. Lemon balm can take over your garden but, whether fresh or dried, offers the utility to brew this fortifying herbal tea. Preparing lemon balm tea is a simple and delightful way to enjoy its healing effects for those who want to include it in their everyday life.
Types of Lemon Balm
A Versatile Herb For Every Garden: The Wonders of Lemon Balm
Aesthetic Charm Meets Functionality
Common lemon balm and other lemon balm varieties, with their lime scent and bright leaves, add a pop of color and vibrancy to gardens. Variegated leaves like Aurea are even more attractive and lovely to have with spices, a gardener’s delight!
Culinary Bliss
From soups to salads, lemon balm lends its delicate citrusy flavor to dishes. It’s a great herb to explore in the kitchen for a fresh take on your favorite recipes.
Aromatherapy Superstar
Lemon balm is filled with essential oils, making it a relaxing and stress-relieving herb. In aromatherapy circles, the Lemonella variety that is redolent of lemon juice is particularly prized.
Tea Lovers’ Treasure
Lemon balm isn’t just an ornamental and culinary stunner: It’s a garden workhorse. It draws in bees for pollination, helping maintain a healthy ecosystem, and its ability to repel mosquitoes means it’s essential for outdoor areas.
Top Benefits of Lemon Balm Tea
Tea made from lemon balm, particularly brewed from the high-oil-content Queidlinburger variety, is an aromatic, soothing beverage. Ideal for winding down or kicking off your day with a revitalizing boost.
Making your garden look more beautiful, making delicious dishes with a new flavor, and enjoying the benefits of the therapeutic and eco-friendly nature of the plant, lemon balm is a multi-purpose herb that you will never regret having it!
Seeking the Top Benefits of Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm is an herb native to Europe and North Africa, and it provides incredible effects in a tea format. Known for its soothing properties, this popular herb may help bring that anxiety level down, making it ideal for a relaxing night. And on top of its calming effects, lemon balm also stimulates cognitive function so that you can have razor-sharp attention and concentration. Many also use it to treat sleep disorders since it can greatly improve sleep. Now, the herb also has the added benefit of being a natural pain reliever — relieving headaches and tooth pain, among other things. Lemon balm tea may be a simple and effective way to harness these health benefits and potentially aid in weight loss.
1. Aids in reducing stress
If stress or tension is taking a toll on your daily life, lemon balm tea is one of the best ingredients used to relieve the pressure. Lemon balm clears stressful thoughts and promotes relaxation so that many of us can overcome the challenge of meeting targets and solving daily life hurdles. In a 2004 study, those tested with lab-induced stress and who consumed lemon balm reported better orientation of active thoughts and greater calmness. The tart citrus flavor of lemon balm makes it an excellent choice for lemon balm tea, as it can lift the mind and help to order thoughts, thanks to its calming nature, which is ideal when you need to focus and control anxious thoughts. Lemon balm tea, when consumed daily, will help greater decisiveness through the stresses of life and clearer thinking.
2. Eliminates anxiety
Whether you have a hectic day ahead or are dreading an important phone call, a cup of lemon balm tea can give your nerves a little ease and relief. Lemon balm tea has been researched for its potential to reduce nervousness and excitability, making it a pleasant option when you need to calm down. One study from 2014 found that participants who drank lemon balm tea felt better and showed lower anxiety levels, suggesting it can impact both cognitive function and mood positively. So, when your nerves get the better of you, a cup of lemon balm tea may be all you really need to bring you to a steady and calm state.
3. Enhances cognitive function
But drinking lemon balm tea on a regular basis doesn’t just help you relax; it can also improve your cognitive functions. Research from 2014 indicated that lemon balm tea could aid mental resilience, boosting memory, focus, and alertness. Those who consumed lemon balm scored better in tasks such as solving equations and other cognitive tasks than those who did not. The results indicate that lemon balm tea is effective in enhancing reasoning ability and aiding tasks with a lot of focus, suggesting its potential as a means of increasing mental clarity and cognitive performance.
4. Promotes sleep
People suffering from insomnia or stress-induced sleeping problems may benefit from drinking lemon balm tea. With its mild sedative effects, lemon balm induces a calm mind and alleviates symptoms of restlessness and irritability, promoting a deep, sound sleep. Research indicates that when combined with valerian, lemon balm can significantly reduce dyssomnia and enhance overall sleep quality. A cup of lemon balm tea before bed can aid in achieving restful sleep, allowing people to wake up feeling refreshed and recharged.
5. Aids in treating flu
Lemon balm tea is a potent and little-used remedy against colds and flu. Thanks to its ability to fight viruses, it assists the body in fighting flu symptoms and can even strengthen the immune system to stave off future infections. Add a spoon of honey to soothe the throat, while lemon balm soothes effects like congestion and aches. Its polyphenol and anti-viral components additionally help the body fight viruses such as the herpes simplex virus and cold sores, making it an excellent ingredient to combat the seasonal flu.
6. Relieves indigestion
If you tend to suffer from indigestion after eating too quickly, cooking spicy foods, and overindulging in fizzy drinks, a warm cup of lemon balm tea may be just what you need. Famous for its positive impact on the process of digestion, lemon balm tea provides support in alleviating abdominal pain, cramping, and general discomfort. This herbal tea is made from the lemon balm herb, and when consumed regularly, it helps reduce the irritation caused by indigestion. It includes antiviral ingredients that fight stomach viruses and help throughout the digestive system. Thus, lemon balm can be a very effective and naturally occurring remedy for persons who suffer from problems connected to indigestion.
7. Can reduce nausea
If nausea is bothering you, then one cup of lemon balm tea will do a fantastic job as a natural remedy. Lemon balm is also known for its good effects on the digestive system and can alleviate nausea. This herb treats gastrointestinal symptoms, strengthening this system, according to a 2005 study. This is likely only part of the story, however; more studies need to be done to explore potential synergistic effects between lemon balm and other herbs, but anecdotal evidence does suggest that peppermint and lemon balm make good bedfellows in the battle against nausea and digestive disorders. If you are feeling sick or nauseous, drinking a cup of lemon balm tea may help.
8. Eases menstrual cramps
Lemon balm in tea form may offer relief to women who suffer from menstrual cramps. Its antispasmodic properties relaxed muscles and eased cramps. One 2015 study of 100 high school girls found that drinking lemon balm regularly for three menstrual cycles in a row reduced the severity of their cramps. Lemon balm tea is useful for women to alleviate not only the pain of PMS but also the mood swings and irritability commonly related to the symptoms of PMS. So, if you’re looking for a natural remedy to combat the discomfort of menstrual cramps, some warm lemon balm tea is just what you need.
9. Eliminates headaches and toothaches
It is believed that lemonade tea is a good remedy for headaches and toothaches, so if you want to naturally heal yourself, this is a good option. Lemon balm relaxes tension, stress, and other problems that cause headaches. The potent urge of the blood vessels that lead to a headache can be relaxed by drinking lemon balm tea. For toothaches, volatile oils such as citral and citronellal that are present in lemon balm are able to hijack the nervous system and, therefore, can be soothing and provide relief. And its de-stressing properties also make it an excellent option for anyone looking to unwind, and it’s often used in spas and wellness centers for its detoxifying and relaxing benefits.
How To Make Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is easy to make and a lovely way to enjoy the benefits of lemon balm. For the first step, harvest around 1 cup of lemon balm leaves. Using your hands, gently roll the leaves into a ball, releasing their natural essential oils. When that’s complete, add the leaves to a teapot. Add boiling water and steep for 2-3 minutes. Now you can have the tea in your cup and serve it hot. You can add honey to taste if you like, which makes it even more enjoyable. This low-maintenance process will yield a soothing, fragrant cup of tea, ideal for cuddling up with a warm blanket and a book.
Lemon Balm Tea Recipes:
Homemade Lemon Balm Tea
Ingredients:
How To Make Lemon Balm Tea: The Process
- Lemon Balm Leaves: 1 tablespoon dried leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh leaves
- Water: 3 cups (10 ounces) for steeping, boiling
- Sweetener (optional): Honey, sugar, or agave, to taste
Our Blue Lotus Flower Tea is quick and easy to prepare at home and is refreshing and soothing on the mind and body in equal measure!
Instructions:
How to Make Lemon Balm Tea.
- Put fresh or dried lemon balm leaves into a tea strainer or tea ball, then place it into your teacup.
- Through a kettle or stove top, bring water to a boil.
- Add hot water to the leaves and steep for 5–10 minutes.
- Discard the tea strainer and sweeten it with honey, sugar, or agave if you’d like.
- This Tea encourages you to brew up a soothing, fragrant cup in only four steps!
Lemon Balm Sun Tea:
Ingredients:
Lemon Balm Sun Tea Ingredients
Big Glass Jar: Great for sun steeping.
Lemon Balm Leaves: 4 tablespoons of dried leaves.
Water: 40 ounces of cool water
Mix these items together and let the sun do the work for you for a naturally brewed tea!
Instructions:
How to Make Lemon Balm Sun Tea
Pour enough cool water into a glass vessel to cover 4 tablespoons of lemon balm leaves.
- Put the container in the sun for 3–4 hours to steep.”
- After brewing, pour over ice for a nice iced tea.
- Fresh, natural, and ideal for sunny days!
Other Lemon Balm Recipes and Uses
Lemon balm is a great herb to incorporate into recipes for overall wellness. It has benefits beyond tea, such as helping with health disorders like indigestion, insomnia, and anxiety, as well as combating poor cognitive function and stress. Added to salads or smoothies or infused into oils, lemon balm makes for a naturally beneficial addition to the body and the brain.
Are there any side effects of Lemon Balm?
Questionable Health Claims of Lemon Balm
Mild Reactions: nausea, bloating and gas, and headache and fatigue, especially at high doses.
Thyroid Effect: Overuse can blunt the thyroid hormone production, possibly impacting the thyroid health
Who Should Avoid It: People with thyroid disorders, pregnant or breastfeeding people, or people on sedatives should talk to a health care provider before using it.
So, enjoy lemon balm tea in moderation, and pay attention to its effects!
Conclusion
In addition to being a delicious, natural drink, lemon balm tea is said to potentially aid in weight loss as well through its role in reducing unnecessarily high levels of stress, improving digestion, and promoting relaxation. Plus, its calming properties may help psychologists combat emotional eating, and its mild, citrusy flavor is a treat on the tongue, making it a perfect addition to your wellness routine. Drink it hot or iced for a soothing, health-boosting treat!