Are bee balm leaves edible?
Bee Balm herb is edible and medicinal. All above ground parts of the plant are edible and used as a pot herb, and also used as a flavoring in cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. Bee Balm herb is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. It is known for its soothing and calming effect in herbal teas, but consuming lemon balm tea more than 2 cups a day can harm health. Therefore, you can benefit from its soothing properties by consuming sufficient amounts.You can make tea from fresh or dried bee balm. I use the fresh flowers to make a blushing pink iced tea, but you can make tea from the fragrant leaves, as well. Start by choosing bee balm that is pesticide free.Aim to harvest bee balm in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day, as this is when the essential oils are most concentrated. Selecting the plant: Choose healthy bee balm plants that are free from any signs of disease or pests. Look for vibrant green leaves and fully developed flowers.Homemade lemon balm tea can be made using fresh leaves or dried leaves right from lemon balm plants in your own backyard garden. If you choose to use dried leaves, start by harvesting fresh leaves from the plant.These flowers got the name ‘bee balm’ because of their former medicinal uses, including the treatment of bee stings. The entire plant above the roots is edible, and the petals can be used to make Oswego tea, which is also another common name used for this plant.
What can you use bee balm leaves for?
Dried bee balm leaves are often used as a spice in many food dishes, tasting similar to oregano or thyme. Fresh leaves can be used to add spice to beverages and salads. Bee balm is part of the mint family. The citrus minty flavor in the flowers will enhance salads, desserts, and teas. There are no studies that address the safety of long-term lemon balm use. If you have a mild health issue that’s not getting better after a week or two, stop taking the herb and see your physician,” states Dr. Daw. Some people may experience side effects from lemon balm, such as headache, dizziness or upset stomach.Boosting cardiovascular health A 2021 review highlighted that lemon balm may help with cardiovascular health by improving low or high blood pressure and high heart rate.As a general rule of thumb, treat lemon balm as you would any other fresh herb. It works especially well in place of mint, offering bright, fragrant notes. Add whole lemon balm leaves to green salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty flavor.People have traditionally used lemon balm to reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function, but it may also benefit the heart and other body systems. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), also known as bee balm, is a lemon-scented mint plant native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia but grown worldwide.
Is bee balm good to eat?
Edible Delight: The leaves of bee balm are edible and can be used to add a minty flavor to salads or steeped to make a refreshing tea. The flowers can also be used as a colorful garnish. Culinary Uses: Aside from its medicinal and aromatic properties, bee balm is utilized in culinary endeavors. As a diaphoretic, it is used to naturally aid in relieving fevers. Fresh leaves can also be chewed as a natural mouthwash. In the garden, bee balm attracts beneficial pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.Bee balm is a natural source of the antiseptic compound thymol, the primary active ingredient in some modern commercial mouthwash formulas. The Winnebago used a bee balm tisane as a general stimulant. Bee balm was also used as a carminative herb by Native Americans to prevent excessive flatulence.The leaves and flowers of the bee balm plant are used to make bee balm tea. Both parts of the plant are infused in water to create the tea. The leaves and flowers are known for their aromatic and flavorful properties, which contribute to the unique taste and fragrance of bee balm tea.Some people may experience skin irritation, burning, or redness after using bee balm. Though reactions are often mild, severe symptoms like facial swelling, itching, or difficulty breathing require immediate medical attention. Menstrual and Pregnancy Concerns.Bee balm is a native American plant not only known for its brightly-colored flowers and fragrant foliage. The flowers were used by North American Indians to make tea which were considered a useful treatment for colds, stomach aches, and insomnia.
Can I use bee balm leaves for tea?
Gather edible leaves and flowers in bloom, dry on small bundles in paper bags in a dry, well ventilated area. Bee Balm can be used as tea, or as an aromatic suitable for sachets and potpourri. Herbal Tea Recipe Medicinal tea: To 1 tsp. Selecting the plant: Choose healthy bee balm plants that are free from any signs of disease or pests. Look for vibrant green leaves and fully developed flowers. Harvesting leaves: To harvest the leaves, use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip the individual leaves close to the stem.Edible Parts The leaves of wild bee balm are edible raw or cooked. They are also used as a flavoring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. Fresh or dried flowers and (or) leaves can be brewed into an aromatic tea.Pour boiling water over bee balm. Add sweetener, if using, to taste. Let steep for 10 minutes. Enjoy!Bee balm is a perennial plant in the herb family. It’s bloom time begins in July and it will continue to bloom until late summer if it is regularly deadheaded.
What is the use of bee balm plant?
Bee balm leaves were used as a substitute for tea during the American Revolutionary War when black tea was scarce. Bee balm has many beneficial attributes including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-nausea properties used to naturally support those with eczema, sore throats, cold sores, achy muscles, and congestion. Medicinal Properties of Bee Balm Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it’s often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea.This soothing beeswax and honey balm can be used for a myriad of purposes especially for calming minor skin irritations. Our family rubs this therapeutic skin salve on our childrens’ red, itchy bellies after they have spent the day riding boogie boards.Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it’s often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea.However, you should cut back your bee balm in the fall if it suffered from powdery mildew during the growing season. Pruning helps prevent this disease from spreading. To further reduce mildew issues, use proper plant spacing (18 to 24 inches) and water at the base. Don’t compost diseased foliage.
What does bee balm taste like?
The height and showy flowers make it a pretty garden ornamental that’s good for pollinators. The best part about Scarlet bee balm is the flavor of the flowers. They have the flavor of thymol like wild bee balm, but mixed with notes of ripe red fruit and berries. Dried bee balm leaves are often used as a spice in many food dishes, tasting similar to oregano or thyme. Fresh leaves can be used to add spice to beverages and salads. Bee balm is part of the mint family. The citrus minty flavor in the flowers will enhance salads, desserts, and teas.Bee Balm and Lemon Balm are not the same plant but both are members of the mint family, Lamiaceae. The visual difference is Bee Balm is larger and produces deep red flowers while Lemon Balm is smaller and has small white flowers.