By guest blogger, Sophie Cassel, herbalist and Red Wagon Plants team member
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm, cousin to some of our more famous mint family plants, has a historical reputation that far exceeds its diminutive nature and ease of growth in the garden. Herbalists and philosophers since ancient times have revered Melissa officinalis for its bright scent and flavor and ability to brighten and revive the spirit. The latin name Melissa refers to the plant’s association with honey bees, and the species officinalis tips us off that this plant has been used medicinally for so long that it was part of the official pharmacopeia in monasteries. We can take our cues from the bees and the ancients, and make Melissa a part of our medicinal herb gardens.
Native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia, lemon balm was brought to the Americas during colonial times and has naturalized somewhat, particularly on the west coast. Like most mints, it’s easiest to start lemon balm from cuttings or divisions, but it can also be started by seeds, which are light dependent. It isn’t fussy to grow and can tolerate a bit of shade, but it does prefer moist, well drained and fairly fertile soil without much competition, spaced about a foot apart. Unlike the more aggressive perennial mints, lemon balm tends to form clumps and spreads fairly slowly, making it a more friendly addition to any perennial mix or tea garden. There’s speculation that the high volatile oil content of lemon balm makes it a good companion plant, working to deter pests with its strong scent.
It’s best harvested just before flowering- cut the top third of the plant on a hot afternoon for the highest concentration of aromatic volatile oils. It will continue to branch and grow over the course of the summer, but be sure to let it set flowers at some point to attract its namesake bees to dine on its exquisite nectar.
Once harvested, the sky is the limit when it comes to lemon balm recipes. As a freshly infused tea, it can’t be beat. Simply pour boiling water over the fresh leaves and steep for 5-10 minutes, or place in a jar with cool water and let steep in the sunshine for a few hours, and you’ll be rewarded with a bright and delicate solar infusion that really captures the essence of the plant. Lemon balm dries easily- spread out in a basket in a warm dry spot for a couple days. You can then use it for a delicious, relaxing tea throughout the winter. Or take a cue from the seventeenth-century Carmelite nuns and infuse lemon balm and other herbs in alcohol to make a delicious cordial; drunk before meals it aids digestion and brings levity to any dinner party.
Medicinally, Melissa’s applications are broad. An easy way to think of the signature of lemon balm’s medicine is for ailments “like bees”. Busy, buzzing, unable to settle or slow down enough to rest or digest, that’s where lemon balm comes in. Equally beneficial for a disquieted mind as a rumbly tummy, try lemon balm tea to prepare for bedtime, or to quiet the nerves before a big presentation. It makes a great after-dinner drink, and is safe for both children and elders alike. Rosemary Gladstar uses lemon balm in a wonderful “Colic Remedy” tea that she notes is actually helpful for “anyone with digestive disturbances due to nervous stress, but is especially helpful for infants and those elders who have stomach problems”:
Colic Remedy:
3 parts lemon balm leaf
2 parts chamomile flower
1 part dill seed and leaf [or substitute for fennel seed and frond for a sweeter option]
Steep herbs in freshly boiled water for 10-30 minutes, depending on desired strength. The tea will become slightly more bitter as it steeps, which increases its efficacy for digestive troubles but may be less tasty to sensitive palates.
Plant some lemon balm in your garden this spring, and you will be rewarded with the accolades of bees and delicious medicine all year long.
Resources:
Gladstar, Rosemary (2012). Medicinal Herbs: a beginner’s guide. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing,
Grieve, Maude (1931). A Modern Herbal. NY: Dover Publications.