![]() ![]() It can be used on the skin as a natural mosquito and insect repellent and in several folk remedies. Lemon Balm is used in a variety of traditional herbal remedies and has been for hundreds of years. Pour over ice and add a fresh lemon balm leaf or flower as a garnish and then enjoy this refreshing and healthy summer beverage. Let the water cool and then strain out the leaves. Simply collect several handfuls of fresh lemon balm leaves and then gently crush them before adding boiling water and honey. One of my all-time favorite uses for Lemon Balm is to make a delicious summery iced tea. You may choose to trim the leaves regularly to keep the plant under control. It is a self-seeding plant, so if you don’t want it to take over your garden, make sure that you keep an eye on it or perhaps grow it in a small container. Lemon Balm spreads quickly in the garden and spreads through both seeds and rhizomes. When crushed, Lemon Balm produces a unique citrusy scent which is one of the easiest ways to identify the plant. It can grow as big as 2-3 feet and will produce small white flowers that are smaller than an inch in size. Many people choose to grow Lemon Balm in their gardens as it has a variety of culinary uses. They are edible and make beautiful additions to all kinds of summer dishes. The small white flowers generally come into bloom from summer until fall. The soft, light green leaves are quite beautiful and can be used in flower arrangements as well as for garnishes. The intoxicating citrus and mint scent can be used as a natural insect repellent and is often used in essential oil blends. Lemon Balm is popular for its variety of uses in the kitchen and the home. Like Bee Balm, it is in the mint family of plants known as Lamiaceae. The scientific name of Lemon Balm is Melissa Officinalis and it goes by several nicknames, or common names, including Balm Mint, Common Balm, and Lemon Balm. The visual difference is Bee Balm is larger and produces deep red flowers while Lemon Balm is smaller and has small white flowers. You may be wondering, what exactly is the difference between Bee Balm and Lemon Balm?īee Balm and Lemon Balm are not the same plant but both are members of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Bee Balm and Lemon Balm are two popular choices and are often confused. As the earth begins to thaw each spring, many of us are left contemplating what plants to grow in our gardens and around our homes. ![]()
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