how to make lemon balm

To make lemon balm, you can prepare it in several popular ways such as tea, syrup, or infused balm. Here are detailed methods for making lemon balm tea and syrup, as well as a brief on making lemon balm balm:

How to Make Lemon Balm Tea

1. Rinse fresh lemon balm leaves and remove stems.
2. Bring purified water to a boil.
3. Place lemon balm leaves in a teapot or tea vessel.
4. Pour the boiling water over the leaves.
5. Let the leaves steep for about 20 minutes or longer for stronger flavor.
6. Strain out the leaves.
7. Optionally, add honey or sweetener while the tea is warm to dissolve it well.
8. Serve warm or chill for iced tea

How to Make Lemon Balm Syrup

1. Rinse fresh lemon balm leaves and remove stems.
2. Place about 2 cups of lemon balm leaves in a pot.
3. Add 5 cups of water, ensuring leaves are covered.
4. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then partially cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Strain the liquid to remove leaves.
6. Return the strained tea to heat and reduce it to about 3 cups.
7. Let the tea cool before adding 1.5 cups of raw honey (to preserve honey’s enzymes).
8. Pour the mixture into a storage jar and refrigerate

How to Make Lemon Balm Balm (Infused Oil)

1. Use dried lemon balm leaves.
2. Place dried lemon balm in a jar and cover completely with a liquid oil like avocado oil.
3. Let the mixture sit in a warm spot for at least 10 days, shaking occasionally.
4. The longer it steeps (up to 2 months), the stronger the potency.
5. Strain the leaves out after infusion.
6. Use the infused oil as a balm or base for salves

These methods allow you to enjoy lemon balm as a soothing tea, a sweet syrup, or a topical balm, each harnessing its calming and aromatic properties effectively.