The Love of Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is considered the Happy Herb

---

Why to Love Lemon Balm,  Melissa Officinalis 
Lemon Balm also known as sweet Melissa is one of those amazing herbs everyone should know about.  Lemon balm  comforts the heart and drives away sadness.  It does this by soothing the nervous system, which lifts the spirits. The lemon-y taste is cooling and taste great!!





Making a soothing tea of lemon balm is best.  Either with fresh or dried leaves.  Using fresh one handful using dried you only want to use 1 teaspoon.  Making Lemon balm Sun Tea is a wonderful summer drink, the cooling effect is great on a hot day.  Add a handful of fresh lemon balm to a glass jar cover with lid or paper towel let the warmth of the sun brew the tea, strain and pour over ice.. ahhh so refreshing
​
Children's Happy Potion: make a tea with 1tsp of Lemon balm and chamomile and is perfect for many children's complaints.  Helps with restlessness, insomnia , whining, crying and helps pick you up if your feeling sad.   ​

---

Lemon Balm Vinaigrette  Recipe
Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons light olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6-8 leaves lemon balm
• Minced Garlic clove 
• Fresh black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
• Dijon Mustard (Optional and to taste)

Finely Chop the Lemon Balm and either mix or blend all ingredients together.  Serve over a yummy Kale and radish salad. 

---

Make you own Lemon Balm Bug Spray
Gather:

• a handful of fresh lemon balm leaves
• plus a generous pinch each of basil, catnip and mint from your CSA garden.

Stuff a glass jar full of the herb leaves, then pour witch hazel extract over them, almost to the top. You can usually find witch hazel in your local drug store or in the pharmacy section of a grocery store.
Cap the jar and set it in a cool, dark cupboard for a week or two. Strain and store out of heat and light.
 After two weeks strain liquid in a glass jar.  Then in a glass spray bottle (you can get really great ones at Golden Poppy Apothecary) fill spray bottle half way, then rest with water.  Add a couple drops of essential of Basil, eucalyptus lemon grass or citronella.  

Spring Blessings, FarmHer Angela