Before you reach for the gin, sit down and take a deep breath (remember to let it go afterwards). Then put the kettle on and brew yourself a cup of soothing lemon balm tea.
The calming properties of lemon balm (melissa officinalis) have been recognised since the Middle Ages. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family (and grows just as voraciously). Its leaves have an intense lemony scent that is both reviving and soothing. Our new house has a tiny bush of it growing in the tangled weeds edging the vegetable patch, but I know it won't be long before it becomes a thriving monster.
To make lemon balm tea, I just shove a few handfuls of leaves and stems in a teapot and add freshly boiled water, then let it steep for a while. If that sounds too wholesome, Choclette has a recipe for lemon balm ganache which sounds like heaven. After all, lemon balm may help you calm down, but nothing is quite as soothing as chocolate.
Just what the doctor ordered!
ReplyDeleteWe have to wait a few months now before we get to have lemon balm tea again, but I concur, it is a great drink. Thanks for the mention too.
ReplyDeleteand my little lemon balm in my garden is growing nicely.. doubly special because it holds memories of the giver...
ReplyDeletecut down the rest of my straggly summer lemonbalm about a month ago... now what do I do?
ReplyDeleteThose leaves look like mint right? Now I've to have a mint drink :)
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