How to Make Lemon Balm Tea (Recipe and Guide) (2024)

Learn how to make lemon balm tea with this simple recipe made from fresh or dried lemon balm. This tea tastes delicious with hints of mint and lemon. Not only is it a soothing warm drink, but may also help to reduce stress and promote peace and calm along with many other health benefits.

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Today I’m sharing with you another fabulous herbal tea. If you like mint tea and lemon tea you will be sure to enjoy a cup of lemon balm tea. I think it has a taste similar to both these teas combined which is not surprising considering lemon balm is part of the mint family. The name lemon balm just gives it all away.

This tea can be made with fresh leaves, (lemon balm is so simple to grow in your tea garden and is perennial which means it will come back each year!) or dried leaves (so you can make this tea in the dead of winter with dried leaves from your summer garden).

DIY Recipes and Brewing Guide

Lemon balm tea is a refreshing herbal tea that has many health benefits. It has a sweet, citrusy flavor and aroma that can help to reduce stress and anxiety. The herb itself is easy to grow or buy from the store, so you can make your own lemon balm tea at home with ease. In this recipe guide, I share with you how to make delicious lemon balm tea with fresh leaves as well as dried ones. This recipe is perfect for a cozy sip or a soothing evening beverage.

Ingredients and Supplies

Ingredients

• Lemon Balm
• Filtered Water
• Honey
• Lemon Slices
• Ginger Slices

Supplies:

• Tea infuser
• Stovetop pot or teapot
• Teacup or mug
• Kettle
• Spoon

Hot Lemon Balm Tea Recipe from Fresh Leaves

Bring water to a boil and pour a bit into your teapot to warm it up. Swirl the water around and discard. (This small step helps keep the teapot from possible cracking and it also helps to maintain the temperature of the water throughout the steeping process.)

Prepare your tea leaves by rinsing and patting them dry. You can give the leaves a small chop if desired. This just aids in releasing the flavors.

Add lemon balm leaves to the teapot (use an infuser if desired) and pour hot water over the tea and cover the teapot with a lid.

Allow the tea to steep for 5 -10 minutes.

Strain out tea or remove the infuser if using.

Pour the tea into a tea cup and add honey and lemon if desired.

Iced Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

To make iced tea, follow the same steps as above. Add prepared tea to a refrigerator-safe container and refrigerate until cool. Serve over ice!

Pro Tip: Use twice as many leaves for iced tea. This prevents getting a watered-down taste when poured over ice.

Lemon Balm Tea Concentrate Recipe

Tea concentrate is great to make ahead and have ready when you are craving some tea. Use 2x or 3x the number of tea leaves to make a concentrate. To serve, combine 1 part concentrate with 1 part water.

Teabags or Loose Leaf?

When it comes to making lemon balm tea you can use either tea bags, fresh leaves, or dried leaves. Each method has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to know which one is the best choice for you and your situation.

• Tea bags are the quickest and most convenient way to make a cup of lemon balm tea. All you need to do is add the bag to a cup of hot water, and steep it for the appropriate amount of time. The downside is that tea bags often contain less flavor and might possibly contain some artificial ingredients than tea.
• Loose leaf is often the preferred type of tea. It usually contains more flavor and aroma than tea bags, so it’s a great option for those who want to enjoy the full-bodied taste of lemon balm tea. If you have a tea garden with fresh lemon balm, this is my favorite use for it.

Different Brewing Methods

Different brewing methods offer unique ways of making a cup of lemon balm tea! Here are some of my favorite methods to try.

Traditional Tea Pot

The traditional teapot method of making lemon balm tea is an easy and efficient way to brew a delicious cup. Simply add your tea to the pot, pour over hot water, steep, and in minutes your tea is ready!

Stovetop Method

The stovetop method of making lemon balm tea is a great alternative for those who don’t want to use a teapot. To make this method, you’ll need to heat up a pot of water on the stove and add your desired amount of lemon balm leaves into it. Make sure to keep an eye on it. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat, and add in tea leaves. Cover and steep. Strain out tea leaves before serving.

Sun-Brewing

Sun brewing is another popular brewing method that requires minimal effort but yields incredibly flavorful tea. To make sun-brewed lemon balm tea, pour water into a very clean glass container and add two tablespoons of freshly chopped or dried leaves before replacing the lid. Then, place the container outside in direct sunlight for at least 4 hours before straining out the leaves. Read more about how to make sun tea and a few precautions here.

Infusion Bottle

The infusion bottle method is a popular brewing method for those who are always on the go. To make lemon balm tea using this process, you’ll need an infusion bottle with a strainer/infuser. Start by filling the bottle with water, then add your tea leaves to the infuser. Allow it to steep for at least 5 minutes, but you can leave your tea longer depending on how strong you like your tea.

French Press

French press brewing is an incredibly convenient way to make lemon balm tea with minimal effort! Simply add tea into a French press, pour hot water over it, and steep for 5 minutes. Then, press down the plunger to strain out the leaves.

Cold Brew

Cold brewing is a great choice for hot summer days as it doesn’t require you to boil the water and thus preserves more of the tea’s natural flavor and nutrients. To make cold-brewed lemon balm tea, simply add 2-4 tablespoons of fresh or 1-4 teaspoons of dried leaves into a large container (I like 1-quart canning jars) filled with filtered cold water and refrigerate for at least 8 hours before straining out the leaves.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few things I try to keep in mind when preparing a cup of lemon balm tea:

• When making lemon balm tea, it is important to remember that fresh leaves have a much more vibrant flavor than dried leaves. Therefore, if possible, opt for freshly chopped or whole leaves whenever you can.
• Try growing and drying your own.
• Skip the milk and sugar and add honey, mint, or lemon to your tea.
• Use clean, filtered water!
• For stronger flavor, let this herbal tea steep longer.
• Try it with a fresh squeeze of lemon for an extra lemon boost.

What is Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb, a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) that has been used for centuries to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and promote overall well-being. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, lemon balm is now widely cultivated around the world. It has oval-shaped, green leaves with a lemon-like scent and flavor and the leaves are often used in teas to provide a calming, soothing effect.

History and Origins

Lemon balm has a long history of use in traditional medicine that dates back to at least the Medieval period. It was believed to have healing properties and was widely used as a folk remedy for common ailments like anxiety, insomnia, indigestion, and fever.

Lemon balm can be found growing wild or as a garden herb in many parts of the world. It has even been used to make lemon balm essential oil for aromatherapy purposes.

Flavor, Fragrance, and Color

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb with a unique flavor, fragrance, and color.

Here are some of these pleasant attributes I enjoy about this lovely herb!

What does Lemon Balm tea Taste Like?

Lemon balm tea has a lightly sweet, gently tart lemony flavor and a sweetly fragrant aroma.

What does Lemon Balm tea Smell Like?

When brewed into a tea, lemon balm gives off a calming floral-citrusy scent.

What does Lemon Balm tea Look Like?

Made from the leaves of the Melissa officinalis plant, lemon balm leaves are bright green in color. They remind me of spring! As a brewed tea, I think it has a very light golden hue.

Health Benefits and Risks of Lemon Balm tea

Lemon balm tea is an incredibly beneficial drink, brimming with potential health benefits. However, while lemon balm is generally safe, it may cause some side effects such as nausea or headaches in some people. As with any herbal supplement, it is important to consult a healthcare practitioner before using it.

Read more about lemon balm benefits and risks here.

Caffeine Content

Lemon balm tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal beverage. It can be enjoyed any time of day and is a great alternative to caffeinated drinks such as coffee and black or green tea.

Benefits and Risks

Although primarily known for its possible calming effects, it contains antioxidants that work to combat a host of health issues. Research suggests that it may also have calming and soothing effects on the body and mind, helping to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Additionally, lemon balm tea also has been known to help reduce inflammation and promote a better night’s sleep.

The risks of consuming lemon balm tea are mostly minimal for most people. However, some people can experience mild side effects such as nausea, an upset stomach, or even headaches.

Storage and Shelf Life

To ensure that your tea stays fresh for as long as possible, it’s important to store it correctly. The best way to store dried lemon balm tea is by storing it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. This should be done at room temperature; if stored correctly, it should last for several months up to one year.

Fresh leaves should be rinsed, patted dry, and stored in the refrigerator between slightly damp paper towels.

Dehydrating for Storage

Drying lemon balm leaves is a great way to preserve their flavor and aroma while still maintaining their beneficial health properties. The process of dehydrating the leaves helps to remove water from the leaves, allowing them to be stored for longer periods of time without compromising taste or quality. Plus, dehydrated lemon balm leaves can be used to make a delicious herbal tea.

To dehydrate your lemon balm leaves, you’ll need to prepare them by washing them and patting them dry. Once they are dry, place the leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in an oven preheated to 95°F (82°C) for about 4 hours. Once the leaves are completely dried and cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to six months.

FAQs

• How long to steep Lemon Balm tea?The amount of time you steep the leaves in hot water will affect the flavor and strength of the tea. To get the maximum flavor and benefits from your lemon balm tea, it is best to steep it in hot water (212°F) for at least 5 minutes.
• Lemon Balm tea for anxiety?Lemon balm may help with stress and anxiety. Additionally, just the aroma of lemon balm may lead to a relaxed state.
• What part of Lemon Balm is used for tea?Lemon balm tea is typically made with the leaves of the lemon balm plant. The leaves are packed with essential oils and active compounds that give this herb its unique flavor and benefits.
• Can I drink Lemon Balm tea every day?You can drink lemon balm tea every day for a few weeks. According to Healthline, take a week off of consuming every 3 weeks. Drinking this tea regularly may provide several health benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety and promoting better sleep.
• How do you cut Lemon balm for tea?Separate the leaf at the point it joins the rest of the plant being careful not to tear or damage the rest of the plant. Lemon balm leaves have a delicate texture and can be easily bruised, so it is best to use a sharp, sterile tool when cutting them. A pair of sharpened, clean scissors or a kitchen knife will work well for this purpose.
• What’s Lemon Balm tea good for?Lemon balm tea is known for providing a number of health benefits, ranging from reducing stress, improving the quality of sleep, and anxiety to alleviating digestive issues such as indigestion and bloating. Remember, it is best to consult your doctor before making any changes to your wellness routines.

Why You’ll Love Lemon Balm tea!

Lemon balm tea is a wonderful beverage to enjoy throughout the day. Not only does it have a fragrant scent, but it also has many amazing health benefits and can help reduce stress and anxiety levels while promoting better sleep. Plus, since it’s naturally caffeine-free, you don’t have to worry about the jitters! Whether you drink it freshly brewed or use dried leaves to make tea, lemon balm is sure to become your go-to herbal beverage for relaxation and well-being!

More Herbal Tea Recipes

• Fennel Tea
• Sage Tea
• Rosemary Tea
• Chamomile Tea with Milk
• Cinnamon Tea
• Hibiscus Tea
• Dandelion Tea

I hope you enjoy this lemon balm tea recipe. Leave a comment below and let’s connect!

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