How to Use Lemon Balm

Lemon balm was first cultivated by the Greeks and Romans and then later by American colonists who brought the herb to the new world. Its lemon scent makes it popular in herb gardens today. In addition to lemon balm's pleasant scent, it has many medicinal, culinary and cosmetic uses.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Chew on lemon balm leaves or chop them up and throw a teaspoon of them into boiling water for 10 minutes to make a tea.

2. Take lemon balm as a mild sedative. Studies with lab mice have shown lemon balm sedates the central nervous system. Consuming the leaves induces the effect, but drinking the tea give you the added benefit of a calming lemon scent. Lemon balm also inhibits the production of bacteria and viruses, so it's good to take for overall wellness.

3. Use fresh lemon balm leaves in cooking. Drying or freezing lemon balm causes it to lose some of its flavor, so it's best to use the herb fresh. Season green salads, poultry and fish with lemon balm. The herb has a lemon taste with a hint of mint flavor.

4. Combine lemon balm with mint in cooking to enhance the flavors of both herbs. Add lemon balm to foods and beverages that use mint to give them a mild lemon flavor. Add lemon and mint to hot black tea. Lemon balm also combines well with black pepper.

5. Add a handful of lemon balm to a hot bath to help skin ailments, such as acne. Lemon balm opens the pores and aids in cleansing.

6. Apply directly to acne. Give yourself a lemon balm facial. Boil 1/4 cup of lemon balm in a quart of boiling water and then hold your face close to the bowl, using a towel to form a tent around the bowl and trap in steam. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm and then cool water.