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Everyone has heard of
Lemon Balm. Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family or the Lamiaceae family. Given the right conditions, ample moisture and freedom to do as it pleases, it can become as invasive as most mints. In fact, in parts of the Northwest, it is increasingly being considered a pest. Not a particularly gorgeous herb, it makes a nice dark green ground cover with stems that rise during flowering to about 18 inches. The flowers are pretty ho hum, but the bees like them. Today we know Melissa officinalis as Lemon Balm but there was a time it was called Bee Balm. In fact the Greeks, who noted the affinity of bees for the plant, called it melisphylla or the bee plant. Today we use the common term Bee Balm to refer to Monarda didyma, also a favorite of bees. According to Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners, Melissa is also the name of a Cretan Princess who first discovered how to get honey. Great for the bees, but, as we mentioned, Lemon Balm is really only a so-so culinary herb. There is some lemon taste when fresh, but not much and there is even less when dried. This is probably why most recipes that have lemon balm as an ingredient also call for lemon juice. We do find that trimming OFTEN during the growing season
provides the Harvesting for drying can be done any time before flowering. Lemon Balm's delicate flavor diminishes even further when dried. Take care not to bruise the cuttings and hang in a dry place. Any moisture present during drying can cause rot. It is fragrant, sort of, and can be used for potpourri. In the absolutely gorgeous book by Penny Black, The Book of Potpourri, she lists it as one of the subtly scented herbs good for drying and she includes it in her Lemon Mix and in her Marigold, Lemon and Mint Mix. But, even she has it listed on the ' well, if you have it, you can use it list.' So why is Lemon Balm so famous! Centuries of healing! In Herbal Healing for Women, Rosemary Gladstar recommends lemon balm and chamomile tea as the perfect way to relax after a stressful day. She also suggests these for headaches, depression and insomnia. For pregnant women, she advises it as a non toxic tea for allergy sufferers. Here is an excellent online link that points out the great contributions Lemon Balm makes to the world. |
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Lemon Balm is one of the six
plants chosen to be in our |
Cultural Information Height: 3 Feet Hardiness: Perennial Flower Color: White Characteristics: Full/ Uses: Culinary, Fragrant |
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