Lemon balm

In the Garden

I don't remember where my first lemon balm plant came from, exactly, but I didn't know a lot about when I planted it.

Pro-tip: LEMON BALM IS HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE

At least in my area, lemon balm spreads and a little bit becomes a lot very quickly. I grow a lot of mint, and the lemon balm is maybe 25%-50% worse even than mint. I can harvest it down to the roots and then come back a couple weeks later and there's a whole crop again. If you do want to plant it outside without dedicating an entire bed to it, strongly consider growing it in a pot.

It smells lovely though, and in particular it has a scent reminiscent of something like lemon pledge. It just seems like a perfect match for a cleaner.

Properties

Apparently lemon balm has some effect on thyroid hormone behavior and may act as a mild sedative, so it is NOT recommended as a supplement for people on thyroid medications, or who are on sedatives. Of course, consult your physician before taking any supplements. Mount Sinai on lemon balm

Recipes

I never purport to offer any kind of medical advice, but when it comes to herbal remedies always educate yourself beyond the information on this site. I’m learning as I go and nothing on this page should be taken as expertise. Especially when it comes to foraging, be careful when identifying unfamiliar plants. Always consult your physician before taking any supplements.