Kitchen Corner is a place to connect us back to our Roots. The roots and leaves known to our ancestors that our grandmothers used for kitchen medicine have remained potent and reliable. What herbs did your grandmothers and mothers use to treat illnesses when you were young? It’s time for us to call forth that wisdom so we can begin to treat our ailments with roots, leaves, stems and a bit of common sense.
Today’s Kitchen Corner will focus on Lemon Balm, a must have in any kitchen medicine garden. Lemon Balm is part of the mint family and is easy to grow. Its medicinal uses are plentiful, so let’s focus on just a few.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is used for insomnia, as a mood elevator, and works for anxiety and digestive upset. The herb has an affinity for the Heart, so it is a perfect herb to quell the heat of summer that often agitates the heart.
Insomnia: Drop 5-6 leaves of lemon balm in a teacup, pour boiling water over them for a gentle, tasty sleep aid.
Mood uplift: Pick a few leaves, crush them in your palm and breathe deep; let the lemony scent infuse itself into your heart. That fragrance is so uplifting it always puts a smile on my face and in my heart. I know it will for you too.
Anxiety: Crushed leaves in your water each day will help pacify and quiet the mind and soothe the heart.
Digestive upsets: Overeating in the summer can cause bloating, cramping, and heartburn. Sip some Lemon Balm tea and it will relieve these symptoms.
Here’s one of my favorite refreshing summertime drinks using Lemon Balm: Watermelon Mojito with lemon balm and mint
4 ounces (2-4 large cubes); 2-3 mint leaves; 3-4 lemon balm leaves;1 Tbsp lemon balm simple syrup (or agave); 3 lime quarters
Put all these ingredients in the bottom of a tall glass or a shaker and muddle together; then fill with ice (stir or shake). Add: 1-1/2 ounces white rum (optional). 1/2 lime juiced. Top off with soda water & garnish with lemon balm and mint leaves.
Happy gardening! Plant your lemon balm today and begin to learn all the many ways this titan of a medicinal herb can do for you and your family. Cheers to a fun filled summer!
Dr. Dairne Mcloughlin (Dr. D) has been in Practice as a DOM for over 30 years. During that time, she has used herbs to aid her clients in healing. One of her passions has been to teach Seasonal Cooking according to Chinese Medicine where she connects with her love of cooking learned at the side of her Mother and Grandmother. Using herbs and food as medicine is a big part of her practice.