Lemon Balm Tea

Ever feel like ur brain won’t shut off at night? That was me every evening until I discovered lemon balm tea. This simple herbal brew has seriously changed my sleep game. I started making fresh lemon balm tea last summer when my garden went crazy with it, and now I’m practically obsessed.

Lemon balm tea isn’t just tasty – it’s like nature’s chill pill. Perfect for winding down after crazy days or when u need something soothing without caffeine. The subtle citrusy flavor with mint undertones makes it way more interesting than regular tea.

Stick around cuz I’m sharing everything about lemon balm tea from my fave recipe to all the health perks that’ll make u wonder why u weren’t drinking this stuff sooner.

Why This Lemon Balm Tea Recipe Is a Game-Changer

My journey with lemon balm tea started when I couldn’t sleep for like a week straight. My mom suggested I try her lemon balm tea recipe instead of reaching for sleeping pills again. I was like whatever mom but tried it anyway.

Guys. It worked. Not in a knockout drug way but in a gentle “my body remembers how to relax” way.

What makes this homemade lemon balm tea special:

• Uses simple ingredients u probably already have
• Takes literally 10 mins from garden to cup
• Can be customized based on what ur body needs
• Works both hot and cold (the iced version is amazing)
• Doesn’t have that weird aftertaste some herbal teas have

The biggest win? U don’t need to spend $$$ on fancy tea bags when u can make better lemon balm tea at home with fresh ingredients.

What is Lemon Balm Anyway?

If ur wondering what exactly lemon balm is ur not alone. Lemon balm (its official name is Melissa officinalis) is this amazing herb that’s related to mint but has this gorgeous lemony scent. I have it growing in my backyard and honestly it’s taking over everything but I’m not even mad about it.

Lemon balm has been used for centuries – like ancient Greeks were sipping lemon balm tea way before it was cool. They used it for everything from bee stings to making people happy. The leaves look kinda like mint but with a more jagged edge and when u crush them they release this incredible citrus aroma without being fake or overpowering.

I honestly think every garden needs lemon balm. It’s practically unkillable (trust me I’ve tried) and gives u endless supply for fresh lemon balm tea.

Everything You Need for the Best Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

Let’s get into what u actually need to make some amazing lemon balm tea:

Basic Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups fresh lemon balm leaves (about a good handful)
• 3 cups filtered water
• Raw honey or agave (optional but makes it better)
• Fresh lemon slices (gives it extra zing)

Next-Level Add-ins:

• Fresh mint leaves (pairs perfectly with lemon balm)
• Thin slices of ginger (great for digestion)
• Dried chamomile flowers (if u really need help sleeping)
• Splash of apple cider vinegar (sounds weird but trust me)
• Dash of turmeric (for inflammation)

No fresh lemon balm? No problem. Dried works too – just use about 2-3 tablespoons instead of fresh leaves. The flavor isn’t quite as bright but it still does the job.

This lemon balm tea recipe works for pretty much any dietary needs – it’s naturally vegan gluten-free sugar-free unless u add honey. If ur avoiding all sweeteners try adding a piece of apple to the brew instead.

How to Make Lemon Balm Tea from Fresh Leaves

I’ve made lemon balm tea probably hundreds of times now and have figured out some tricks for making it perfect. Here’s my method:

1. Gather fresh leaves: Head out to ur garden and snip about 1-2 cups of fresh lemon balm leaves. Pick the bright green ones not the yellowing ones for best flavor.
2. Quick rinse: Just run the leaves under cool water to get rid of any dirt bugs or outdoor mysteries.
3. Bruise the leaves: This is key! Use ur hands to crush and twist the leaves slightly. U’ll immediately smell the oils releasing – this makes ur tea way more potent. My grandma taught me this trick.
4. Heat water correctly: Bring water almost to boil then turn off heat. If u boil it too hard or too long the tea gets bitter. Around 190°F is perfect if ur fancy enough to measure.
5. Steep properly: Put the bruised leaves in a teapot or heat-safe container pour the hot water over them and cover. This step is important – covering keeps all the good aromatic stuff from escaping. Let it sit for 5-10 mins.
6. Strain and finish: Pour through a strainer into ur mug add honey if using and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Sip slowly and feel the tension melt away.

The color should be a pale greenish-yellow – not too dark. If it looks like Mountain Dew u steeped it too long and it might taste bitter.

Pro tip: If making lemon balm tea for insomnia add the leaves to the water while it’s heating up then turn off just before boiling. The slow warm-up extracts more of the compounds that help with sleep.

6 Must-Try Variations of Lemon Balm Tea

One of the best things about homemade lemon balm tea is how easy it is to customize. These are variations I’ve actually tested and love:

1. Bedtime Bliss Lemon Balm Tea

Combine lemon balm with equal parts chamomile and a pinch of lavender. Add a tiny bit of honey and sip 30 mins before bed. I call this my “knockout tea” – it’s that effective.

2. Tummy Tamer Lemon Balm Tea

Mix lemon balm with fresh grated ginger and a pinch of fennel seeds. This saved me during the holidays when I was eating way too much rich food.

3. Refreshing Iced Lemon Balm Tea

Make a strong batch (double the leaves) let it cool then pour over ice with fresh lemon slices and cucumber rounds. My go-to summer drink instead of soda.

4. Lemon Balm Tea for Weight Loss Support

Combine lemon balm with green tea a cinnamon stick and a dash of cayenne. This isn’t magic but it definitely curbs my snack cravings and boosts energy.

5. Immunity Booster Lemon Balm Tea

Mix lemon balm with elderberries (dried works) fresh thyme and a good spoon of raw honey. My kids actually ask for this when they feel sniffly.

6. Focus Formula Lemon Balm Tea

Blend lemon balm with rosemary and a touch of peppermint. I sip this during work and it helps me concentrate without coffee jitters.

Feel free to play around with these lemon balm tea recipes. The beauty of making ur own is u can adjust based on what ur body needs or what u have in the kitchen.

Questions Everyone Asks About Lemon Balm Tea

What are the benefits of lemon balm tea?

Lemon balm tea is basically a superhero in a cup. Its main benefits include major stress and anxiety reduction (thanks to compounds that affect GABA receptors in ur brain) better sleep quality mood improvement and digestive help.

I notice it helps with my occasional headaches too. The antioxidants in lemon balm tea fight inflammation and some research shows it might help with concentration and memory. My mom drinks it for heart health since some studies show it might help regulate heart rhythm.

Most importantly it just makes u feel good in a gentle natural way.

Does lemon balm tea get rid of belly fat?

Let’s be real – no tea magically melts fat. But lemon balm tea might help indirectly with weight management including belly fat. It reduces stress and cortisol (the hormone that causes belly fat storage) improves sleep (crucial for weight management) and can reduce bloating.

I’ve found it helps me avoid stress eating since it’s satisfying and calming. The lemon balm tea recipe for weight loss I mentioned pairs it with metabolism-boosting ingredients for better results.

My neighbor lost 15 pounds after adding daily lemon balm tea to her routine – but she was also eating better and walking more so it’s the whole package that works.

Who should not use lemon balm tea?

Not everyone should go crazy with lemon balm tea. People taking thyroid medications should talk to their doctor first since lemon balm can affect thyroid function. Same goes for anyone on sedative meds or GABA-affecting drugs (like anxiety meds) since there could be interactions.

Pregnant women should check with their healthcare provider – small amounts are probably fine but medicinal amounts might not be. Anyone scheduled for surgery should stop drinking it at least 2 weeks before.

If ur allergic to other plants in the mint family (like basil or oregano) be careful with lemon balm too.

Can you drink lemon balm tea every day?

Yes for most people daily lemon balm tea is totally fine. I’ve been drinking 1-2 cups daily for years with zero problems. It’s considered a gentle herb that’s safe for regular use.

That said use common sense – I wouldn’t drink more than 3 cups a day. Some people might get headaches or mild digestive upset if they go overboard.

If ur new to lemon balm start with just one cup in the evening and see how ur body responds before making it a multiple-times-a-day thing.

Is lemon balm safe for kidneys?

From everything I’ve researched lemon balm tea appears safe for healthy kidneys and might even be beneficial due to its gentle diuretic effect that supports kidney function.

However if u already have kidney issues kidney stones or are on dialysis definitely check with ur doctor before adding this or any herbal tea to ur routine. People with kidney problems need to be careful about everything they consume.

My aunt who has mild kidney issues got approval from her doctor to drink lemon balm tea occasionally and she’s had no problems with it.

How to Grow and Store Lemon Balm for Fresh Tea

If ur thinking about growing ur own lemon balm for endless tea supply (highly recommend) here’s what u need to know:

• It grows like crazy in almost any conditions – sun or partial shade
• Plant it in a container unless u want it taking over ur whole garden
• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth
• It comes back year after year in most climates

For storing lemon balm:

• Fresh leaves last about 5 days in the fridge wrapped in damp paper towel
• Freeze whole leaves in freezer bags for winter use
• Dry bundles hanging upside down in a dark dry place
• Make lemon balm-infused honey to preserve the flavor longer

I usually do a mix of these methods so I always have some form of lemon balm ready for tea even in winter months.

My Personal Journey with Lemon Balm Tea

I’ll never forget the first time I realized how powerful lemon balm tea could be. It was during finals week in college and I was completely stressed out. My roommate’s mom had sent her this jar of dried lemon balm from their garden. We made tea as a study break and within 20 minutes I felt this wave of calm that helped me actually focus instead of panic.

Now I grow my own and the ritual of harvesting fresh leaves then brewing a cup has become this meaningful moment of self-care in my day. My partner who used to make fun of my “weed tea” now asks for it when work stress gets intense.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning plants from ur garden into something that genuinely improves ur wellbeing. Whether ur growing lemon balm or buying it at farmers markets giving this simple lemon balm tea recipe a try might just change ur relationship with stress and sleep.

It’s not magic but sometimes it feels pretty close to it.