If you are looking for a plant to add to your growing garden, it would be a good idea to add lemon balm to the list. It’s easy to grow and can provide you with numerous health benefits thanks to its anti-viral properties that can fight off infection while calming and soothing your nerves. What else can you get from this particular plant? Here are several ways for you to use lemon balm.
Soothing tea
One of the easiest ways to use lemon balm is to make a soothing tea for your rumbling tummy. Start by filling a jar with fresh lemon balm leaves then pour hot water into the jar. Cover the top with a saucer so that the vapors will remain inside. Let the leaves steep for a few minutes or until the solution is cool enough for you to drink. Add your choice of sweetener to taste.
Cold sore lip balm
For this recipe, you will need 4 tablespoons of lemon balm infused oil, ½ tablespoon of tamanu oil, 2 scant tablespoons of beeswax, 15 drops of tea tree oil, 2 drops of clove bud oil, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, ½ tablespoon of castor oil, 1 tablespoon of shea butter, and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil. Comine all the oils, beeswax, and shea butter in a container that is heat proof. Set it down into a saucepan that has a few inches of water. Watch over the mixture while heating it over medium-low heat until all the ingredients have melted. Add the essential oils afterwards and the oil from vitamin E capsules if you are going to use some. Transfer the mixture into small containers.
Make vinegar
You can also use lemon balm when making vinegar. Start by filling ¾ of an empty jar with fresh lemon balm leaves. Cover the leaves with apple cider vinegar. Close the jar with a non-metallic lid and keep the bottle in a dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. Strain afterwards and use the solution as hair wash or you can also add it to your bath water. You can also use the vinegar when cooking or making salads.
Sleep balm
If you are having trouble sleeping, you can use your lemon balm as part of your sleep solution. This sleep balm will help you drift off to sleep easily. Prepare ¼ cup of lemon balm, lavender essential oil, 1 ½ cups of coconut oil, ¼ cup of chamomile flowers, vitamin E oil, and 2 tablespoons of beeswax or Candellila wax. Turn your oven to 200 degrees then turn it off afterwards. Get an oven-proof pan or bowl, mix the herbs and coconut oil and put in the oven afterwards for 3 hours. Remove the herbs and strain to get the infused oil in a small bowl or jar. Clean the pan and transfer the infused oil once more and heat it on the stove on low heat. Add the wax and let it melt. Turn off the heat then add 5 drops of lavender essential oil. You can add more if you like. Add 10 drops of vitamin E oil to prevent your solution from becoming rancid. Pour the balm into small containers with a tight lid and you’re done.
