Lemon Balm

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Lemon Balm carries a sweet citrus fragrance and is a member of the mint family. It has been cultivated for more than 2000 years because of it's healing and recuperative powers. It has been used to encourage sleep, 

ease stress and anxiety, help improve appetite, and to ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic). 

It is a safe herb to use with children, and they enjoy the lemony taste. The tea is used to treat colds and flu, lower blood pressure, or for restlessness and digestive disorders. The fresh leaves can be made into a salve used to sooth insect bites, or help cold sores heal. Because of its mild anti-depressive properties, it is used when there are stomach issues caused by anxiety. It relieves tension, stress and lightens depression symptoms. Lemon balm also can have a tonic effect on the heart and circulatory system lowering blood pressure. It may be used for migraines that are associated with tension. 

Lemon Balm is an easily grown herb. This herb grows in sunny locations but thrives in a shadier area. It can grow up to 2 ft high, and during the spring and summer time it produces clusters of small light yellow flowers.  It can be used as a garnish, try chopping some fresh leaves and adding them to your favorite dish. It is tasty combined with allspice, bay leaves, mint, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. 

Fresh leaves stored in a container or baggie in your refrigerator will last for a few days. The leaves can be frozen as well. Dried leaves should be stored in airtight containers. When drying their leaves avoid light or heat exposure. Hang them in a bunch or spread them out on newspapers in an airy dark space. Once dried, the leaves are not as flavorful as fresh leaves.