Harvesting Lemon Balm
Harvesting lemon balm
Air drying To air-dry lemon balm plant, gather 5-6 stems together and tie them up around the stem with a piece of string. To allow for good air circulation, do not tie too many stems together. Hang your bunches of lemon balm in a cool dry and dark spot in your house.
Can I still use lemon balm after it flowers?
If you wait until tiny white flowers are visible on the tips, the leaves of the lemon balm will be unpleasantly bitter. Fortunately, harvesting lemon balm regularly or pinching off the buds before they bloom can prevent this! Bees and butterflies love lemon balm's white flowers.
Will lemon balm grow back after cutting?
To keep plants vigorous, thin plants out in mid-summer by cutting out stems to open up the plant to better air circulation. Lemon balm can also be cut back to about one-half its height to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth. Watering after this heavy pruning helps the plant recover quicker.
Can you eat lemon balm leaves Raw?
You can certainly enjoy lemon balm fresh on salads, or in your favorite recipes, too. Be brave! Experiment with its bright flavor.
Should I dry lemon balm for tea?
Most books recommend a teaspoon dried or a tablespoon of bruised fresh herb per cup. However lemon balm tends to lose flavour in hot water and more is better if you want a strong or more therapeutic tea. I simply pick a good handful for a teapot. Place inside a tea infuser and pour over hot water (not boiling).
How do you harvest lemon balm at the end of the season?
You can harvest small amounts of lemon balm for use throughout its growing season by snapping off a few leaves at a time. For a bigger harvest, use shears to snip leaves from the center stem, in between side shoots, to continue encouraging bushy, full growth.
What can I do with fresh lemon balm?
12+ Things to Do With Lemon Balm:
- Make a sleepy time herbal syrup:
- Make a lemon balm bug spray: ...
- Chop fresh leaves and sprinkle on salads or in baked goods: ...
- Make a lip balm for cold sores: ...
- Make a glycerite: ...
- Make a relaxing, tummy soothing tea: ...
- Make lemon balm soap: ...
- Make a simple remedy for bug bites & acne:
When should you not use lemon balm?
Stop using lemon balm at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Thyroid disease: Lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Avoid lemon balm if you have thyroid disease.
What can you not plant next to lemon balm?
Lemon balm is compatible with almost all perennial herbs, such as thyme and mint. Good companion plants should have the same site requirements. It is not recommended to grow alongside wormwood and annual herbs, especially basil.
Does lemon balm repel mosquitoes?
The lemon scent, which repels the bugs, is powerful. It rubs off very well onto the skin. Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats.
How do you preserve fresh lemon balm?
To store your lemon balm, keep the leaves and stems in big pieces to retain as much flavor as possible. Store your herbs in paper bags or glass jars (avoid plastic bags as they may lead to condensation).
Should you deadhead lemon balm?
Deadheading is a must for lemon balm plants. The dead flower heads contain seeds, and if they drop to the ground, the plant self-sows and continues to spread throughout your garden. In the winter, cut the lemon balm back, leaving only two inches of the stem. Don't be alarmed; the plant grows back rapidly in the spring.
Who should not drink lemon balm tea?
Stop consuming lemon balm tea two weeks before any surgical procedures to avoid negative side effects. You should not drink lemon balm tea if you are taking thyroid medications or have a thyroid problem. Lemon balm tea may alter thyroid hormone levels and interfere with thyroid therapies.
Can you drink fresh lemon balm?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a herb in the mint family. It can be consumed as a tea, taken as a supplement or extract, or rubbed on the skin in balms and lotions.
How do you harvest lemon balm for tea?
You can harvest your lemon balm leaves any time during the growing season. Clip the stems and then remove the leaves. You can use the leaves fresh, or dry for future use (see drying instructions below.) Lemon balm leaves are very delicate, so plan to use them or process them right away.
What part of lemon balm is used for tea?
Homemade lemon balm tea can be made using fresh leaves or dried leaves right from lemon balm plants in your own backyard garden. If you choose to use dried leaves, start by harvesting fresh leaves from the plant.
How long does it take for lemon balm to dry?
spread stems and leaves on the drying trays of a dehydrator. Set the temperature at its lowest setting (95°F or 35°C) and dry for 12 to 18 hours.
How much lemon balm is safe in tea?
Tea: 1.5 to 4.5 grams (1/4 to 1 tsp.) of dried lemon balm herb in hot water. Steep and drink up to 4 times daily.
Can you freeze or dry lemon balm?
Some herbs maintain their flavor better when frozen instead of dried. Freezing works well for herbs like parsley, dill, basil, chives lemon balm, mint or tarragon.
How do you winterize lemon balm?
Winter growing: Cut back lemon balm in fall leaving just 2 inches of stem. The plant may freeze back to the ground in winter but will re-grow from underground roots and renew itself in spring.
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