Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

  Lemon Verbena TeaLemon is my favorite herbal frangrance. iIhave many lemony herbs in my garden. My favorite is Lemon Verbena. Sue gives many good ideas in this article.

 17th century Spanish explorers brought lemon verbena back from Argentina & Chile, and the delightful, intensely lemon-scented leaves were an instant hit with Europeans! Leaves are strongest in scent & flavor while the plant is in bloom, but can be harvested at any time. Lemon verbena tea is a destressing herbal tea which has many health benefits, some of which are as a nerve tonic, use as an antidepressant, expectorant, antispasmodic, digestive aid, and to treat colic. You can use Lemon Verbena by itself to make a tea, but it is also delicious mixed with other herbs to make your own herbal tea blends. You can add some leaves to to store-bought pekoes to add some extra lemon flavor.

 Lemon Verbena Leaf Tea

 ingredients

 1 c. lemon verbena leaves

 3 tbsp. lavender flowers or mint leaves

 water

 honey (optional)

  Take lemon verbena leaves and mix well with lavender flowers. Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

 Use 1 tsp for every cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes strain out the leaves, and add honey if you want.

Lemonade Landscape
By Sue Neitzel

Lightening bugs, cookouts, vacation time away and mowing the lawn, all signs of summer in full swing. And the season’s favorite beverage can spill over into the landscape with a tangy appeal.

Now, lemons won’t grow in many zones, but if you want to enjoy lemonade with a twist, squeeze out a lemonade garden of lemon scented plants, many being edible, for a cool and refreshing way to celebrate the summer months.

Choose a spot close to a deck or porch area for the full benefits that this garden will produce. Plants that smell and taste like lemons are amazing to the senses, and can add flavor to many dishes.

Lemon Balm ( Melissa Officinalis ) when touched will fill the air with a fresh picked lemon scent. This hardy perennial can be used fresh as garnish, adds a delicate flavor to vinegars, oils, and many desserts. It also makes a soothing bath additive, and when sipped as a tea, can ease headaches, indigestion and nausea, plus provides a restful sleep.

Lemon Basil ( Ocimum Basilicum ) is an annual treat for many, the lemon flavored leaves are delicious in sauces and chicken dishes and lend a zip to pesto. The white flowers are a favorite of the humble bee.

Lemon Grass ( Cymbopogon Citratus ) is commonly used in Thai cuisine with a sharp lemon flavor. A tea treats diarrhea, stomachache, headaches, fever and the flu. The essential oil is used widely in cosmetics and in aromthrapy to improve circulation.

Lemon Mint ( Menthax Aquatica Citrata ) is invasive like most mints, blends well with chicken or fish and can used in fruit salads. Makes a tasty garnish for drinks or dried for tea blends.

Lemon thyme ( Thymus X Citriodorus ) is a stout lemon scented shrub with pale lilac flowers. The antiseptic leaves are a natural preservative.

Lemon verbena ( Aloysiatriphylia ) has a robust fragrance that makes a refreshing and slightly sedating tea. It soothes bronchial and nasal congestion and aids indigestion and nausea. An infusion of the leaves comforts puffy eyes and when added to vinegar, softens the skin. The leaf scent will be retained for years when dried, making it a popular potpourri ingredient. Lemon verbena can reach heights up to 10 feet but can be tamed as a shrub.

So sit back and smell the wonders of a lemonade garden and while doing so, enjoy a quick summer pie to complement your new garden and don’t be shy, be sure to garnish with some zesty lemon herbs.

Lemonade Pie

1 sm. can frozen lemonade ( pink or yellow )
1 graham cracker pie shell
1 tub cool whip
1 can sweeten condensed milk

Blend all ingredients together well and pour into pie crust. Refrigerate till firm or freeze ahead. Enjoy!

About the author:
Sue is a garden writer, passionate gardener, wife, mother and friend to Mother Earth.