15 Delicious (& Medicinal) Ways to Use Lemon Balm Beyond Tea

There’s nothing like the first big herb harvest of summer. This morning’s basket was overflowing with lemon balm, sage, oregano, feverfew, snap peas—and those graceful garlic scapes that always signal the season is in full swing.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of those “happy accident” herbs: plant it once and suddenly you have more than enough for every cup of calming tea you could ever drink. If you’re staring at a lush patch right now, here’s your permission slip to get creative—both in the kitchen and in your home apothecary.

Medicinal Perks of Lemon Balm

1. Nervous-System Soother
   Lemon balm supports the nervous system thanks to calming compounds like rosmarinic and caffeic acids.
   → Use: Stir lemon balm–infused honey into tea or take 1 tsp straight when anxious or overstimulated.

2. Digestive Calm
   Its carminative properties help ease gas, bloating, and digestive spasms.
   → Use: Muddle fresh leaves into fruit salads, mocktails, or sparkling water after meals.

3. Sleep Support
   Often combined with herbs like chamomile and linden to support restful sleep and reduce nighttime anxiety.
   → Use: Make a bedtime tincture with 2 parts lemon balm, 1 part chamomile, 1 part passionflower.

4. Antiviral Ally
   Lemon balm has shown topical and internal effectiveness against viruses like HSV-1 and HSV-2.
   → Use: Infuse into olive oil and use as the base for a healing lip balm or salve for cold sores.

5. Cognitive Lift
   Traditionally known to “gladden the heart” and support mental clarity, memory, and focus.
   → Use: Chew a fresh leaf before creative work or blend into your morning smoothie for a subtle mental boost.

15 non-tea recipes & ideas

Copy/paste these wherever you plan your meals—quantities serve 4-ish. Swap in vegan or GF subs as needed.

1. Lemon Balm Chimichurri – Blend 1 c lemon balm, ½ c parsley, 2 Tbsp red-wine vinegar, 1 garlic clove, pinch chili flakes, ½ c olive oil. → Spoon over grilled veg, salmon, or steak.

2. Garden Gremolata – Mince equal parts lemon balm & parsley; stir in lemon zest + minced garlic. → Finish roasted potatoes or risotto.

3. Compound “Sunshine” Butter – Mash ½ c softened butter with 2 Tbsp minced lemon balm + drizzle honey. Chill. → Slather on cornbread, scones.

4. Lemon Balm Pesto 2.0 – 50/50 lemon balm & cilantro, plus pumpkin seeds + lime juice. → Amazing on tacos & grain bowls.

5. Fruit Salsa Brightener – Stir 2 Tbsp chopped leaves into peach-or-strawberry salsa.

6. Herbal Simple Syrup – 1 c water + 1 c sugar; steep 1 c leaves 30 min. Strain. → Mocktails, lemonade.

7. Citrus-Mint Shrub – Infuse 1 c ACV with 1 c leaves (48 h); strain, add ¾ c honey. → Splash into sparkling water.

8. Quick Pickle Accent – Tuck whole sprigs into cucumber or dilly-bean jars before sealing.

9. Freezer Herb Cubes – Blitz leaves with olive oil; freeze in ice trays. → Toss into soups or sauté pans mid-winter.

10. Blackberry-Lemon Balm Jam – Replace ¼ of mint in your favorite berry jam recipe.

11. Sorbet / Pops – Steep 2 c leaves in 2 c hot water (20 min); strain. Blend with ¾ c honey + juice of 2 lemons; churn or freeze in molds.

12. Salad Greens Upgrade – Tear fresh leaves into mixed salads; pairs with feta + cucumber.

13. Infused Olive Oil – Warm 1 c EVOO to 140 °F, add ½ c leaves, hold 30 min, strain. → Drizzle over roasted asparagus.

14. Honeyed “Cough & Calm” Elixir – Pack jar ⅔ with leaves, cover in raw honey, infuse 1 week. → 1 tsp in hot water for scratchy throats.

15. Kombucha Second-Ferment – Add ¼ c leaves + zest of 1 orange per quart; strain after 48 h. → Gentle fizz with a citrus twist.

Preserve the bounty

• Drying: Strip leaves onto trays; dehydrate < 95 °F until crisp. Store in glass jars away from light (flavor keeps ~12 mo).

• Freezing: Flash-freeze whole sprigs on a sheet, then bag. Best flavor for 3-4 mo.

• Vinegar / Honey Infusions: Strain after 2–4 weeks; shelf-stable and gift-worthy.

Sip the sunshine

If you’d rather drink your lemon balm (but maybe not only as straight herb tea), try one of these calming blends:

• Summer Sunrise – linden, spearmint, lemon balm, hibiscus, rose.

• Evening Garden – linden, lemon balm, chamomile, oatstraw, rose petals.

• Wildberry Bliss – strawberry leaf, dried berries, lemon balm, elderflower.

• Blush & Bloom – peach, chamomile, lemon balm, lemongrass, rose.

• Citrus Mint Revive – spearmint, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon peel, nettle.

→ Browse or shop each blend here in The Shop.

Pin, share, & tag

Snap a pic of your own lemon-balm creation and tag @WildFaithAcres—I love seeing how you breathe new life into humble herbs!

Happy harvesting & experimenting,

Jenn