Catherine Love~ Ramblings from my Heart and Home

Ideas for Using Lemon Balm

Here are a few ways I use Lemon Balm:

Tea- a few leaves in the teacup or teapot add a nice hint of lemon to your cup of tea. 

Sun tea- a small handful or so in the gallon jar of tea and mixed herbs is very good.

Garnish- I put individual leaves of Lemon Balm and Spearmint, along with thin slices of lemon out for family and friends to add to their glasses of tea or water.

Fruit Salad- A little bit of chopped Lemon Balm is nice in a fresh fruit salad.

Lemon pastries- Add a tablespoon or so of chopped Lemon Balm to lemony recipes such as pound cake, cupcakes, lemon squares, etc.  I've read that it loses much of its' lemon flavor during baking; but retains the lemon scent.  I use it anyway! 

Herb butter- Mix a couple of tablespoons of chopped lemon balm and parsley into a stick of butter for dishes that are enhanced with lemon; like grilled or baked fish, chicken, shrimp, etc.

Ice- Freeze leaves of Lemon Balm in ice cubes for a pretty addition to your glass of tea or water.

Flower Arrangements- Lemon Balm is so pretty and smells so wonderful that it is a natural addition to a vase or jar of flowers. 

If you have a tip or recipe for using Lemon Balm, I'd love to read it. 

Blessings,

Catherine

Festive Herb Punch

This is one use for that luscious smelling Lemon Balm!

Festive Herb Punch

2 large bunches lemon balm

2 large bunches mint

1 46oz. can unsweetened fruit juice

Juice of 2 lemons

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 quart sparkling water

Place lemon balm and mint in large pitcher.  Pour in juice, lemon juice and lemon slices.  Chill overnight, stirring occasionally and pressing down herbs with wooden spoon .  Pour into chilled glasses with a splash of sparkling water.  Garnish with sprigs of fresh lemon balm and/or mint.

From Along the Garden Path by Bill and Sylvia Varney

*I've never made this one, but it sounds good.  Not sure exactly how much 2 large bunches of lemon balm or mint would be.... guesstimate is what I'd do!  

Helpful Herbs~ Lemon Balm

I love lemony herbs... Lemon Balm is a favorite of mine. 

Mountain Rose Herbs has a great article here.  The recipes sound delicious- Corn Fritters with Lemon Pesto...MMMmmm...

My Lemon Balm did not survive our weird weather this year.  I think I will definitely plant more soon...  It grows easily from seed; in fact, Sarah grew ours as a project in her Apologia Botany studies. 

Enjoy the Mountain Rose Herbs article. Don't forget to make yourself as cup of tea first! 

Helpful Herbs ~ Horsetail

I've heard that Horsetail Tea is good for the hair.  The herb Horsetail or Equisetum is a natural source of silicon and good for hair, skin,and nails, says the box of tea in my cabinet.  According to the tea maker Seelect, Horsetail is commonly called "nature's beauty aid". 

It doesn't taste bad, and my hair can certainly use all the help it can get, so it's worth a try! 

It seems that Horsetail tea is also good for keeping cut flowers fresh as it contains minerals for them to absorb. 

Here's a recipe for Horsetail Tea for the garden : 

Chop several handfuls of Horsetail finely and add to 2 pints of water.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 to 3 hours.   Cool, strain and use as a spray for mildew and black spot on roses. 

Also, this mineral-rich herb makes a good addition to the compost pile. And as I 've read that it is an invasive plant, if you have it growing you'll probably have lots to compost.   It is also said to be good to use as a fertilizer, tonic and general cure all in the garden. 

One last tip: Use Horsetail stems in place of scouring pads. 

These recipes and tips came from my newest favorite garden book: Garden Folklore that Works by Charlie Ryrie . 

Who knew this water-loving plant was so useful.  I just thought it was pretty growing near the ponds and streams !

A Simple but Sweet Gift for the Seamstress on your List

Make a Rosemary Needle Sharpener-

Take a small muslin bag and pack it full of dried rosemary. Be sure to pack it tightly. 

The little bag works like a pincushion to hold needles; but will also sharpen them and keep them from rusting.  It will smell lovely, too!

Dress it up with a pretty bow, little ribbon flower, lace.....whatever your heart desires.  These would look cute on the Christmas tree, too.