lemon balm-uses

Does anyone have any ida on uses for lemon balm? i have some of it growing and love th smell of the leaves but apart from that i dont know what to do with it?

 

Lemon balm is the one which looks like mint isn't it? I've also got lemon verbena which I prefer, but I use them both for dried herbs in pillows, pot pourri and tisanes. Best used fresh, I find the scent fades quicky.
Supposed to be relaxing and soothing....

 

yes thats the one- looks very much like mint just a bit more lemony. used some today in jug of pimms but that's about all!

 

well you can add fresh leaves to vinegar..or you can chop the herb and serve with fish..or finely chop and eat it with soft cheese ..they use it as a flavouring for cheese in switzerland..lemon balm tea relieves headaches..tension and restores the memory..it is also good if you suffer with flatulance or colic..use the leaves fresh or frozen as the oil in lemon balm dissapears if you dry it..lemon balm is also used for insomnia ..depression and nervous headaches,,and can help eczma sufferers..and its a lovely plant to keep the bees happy..so plant it near fruit bushes to attract the bees to polinate ..

 

well that list is very exhaustive. think i shall try some tea first as i suffer from insomina at times!!

 

I will certainly have to get that as my memory these days is terrible and i also get migraines from rosa

 

Hi Rosa, try lemon verbena for a lovely fresh herbal tea- mind you can't recommend it for brain function, I withdrew �£20 from cash point and left it in machine, went home and scraped my car turning in a place where I turn every time I go out. Made myself a cup of tea and left it in the fridge..... :( :D :(

 

rosa try the feverfew if you have migraines..if you havnt got any you can buy feverfew tablets in health shop..

 

Thanks liz and wildflower will get them and as for the brain deteriating it must be an age thing getting into my 50s Ha! Ha! talking about smashing the car i reversed into a brick wall in an underground car park not concentrating hubby was not too pleased i caused over �£2,000 worth of damage just as well we where fully comp.
Is lemon verbena a tea or can you get a plant and also is feverfew a plant as i have not heard of them from rosa

 

lemon verbena is a herb it looks like a shrub it can grow reasonably large but is not tolerant to lots of frost so its best to cover the root with straw or bring it in for the winter..feverfew is a reasonably small herb ..you can buy loose dried herbs from nealsyardremedies..http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/. or you can buy the plants from barwinnock herbs for about �£1.50 each i dont think its wise to just go and pick feverfew from the hedgerow if you are unsure what it is..and you can buy feverfew tablets at all health shops..the lemon verbena is not as easy to get hold of unless you send to places like neals yard..they do an excellent mail order..and will send you a catalogue..

 

or you coulsd buy a packet of feverfew seeds from suffolk herbs and grow your own its easy to grow and self seeds like crazy :D

 

shiney i will have to try your lemon balm cake recipe..as i havnt tried that..sounds really interesting..