Lemon Balm

[salymap]

I have a large bush of this. Is it possible to dry the leaves to make a moth deterrent

or pot pourri sort of thing. And can it be used in drinks?? It's just by the back door and smells lovely at the moment

[Nick Armstrong]

Sounds good, sals

Tea: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lemon-Balm-Tea

Lemonade: http://www.food.com/recipe/old-fashi...emonade-374913

Wine: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...sa-officinalis

Other goodies: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/lemon_balm

[salymap]

Thank you Cali, I can't get through to the wine but read about the tea.

Now PG tips or risk all with lemon balm tea.

I've given away all my gardening books as it makes me sad to read them now

[Nick Armstrong]

I can't get through to the wine

My fault, should be ok now - I corrected the link... It's an interesting Grauniad article, the wine bit is a way down the page...

[vinteuil]

My fault, should be ok now - I corrected the link... It's an interesting Grauniad article, the wine bit is a way down the page...

... well, if that's what "wine" is - what have I been drinking for the last forty three years???

.

[Nick Armstrong]

Such an old toff...

Coming from a family where rhubarb, apple &c. wine was bubbling away in demijohns somewhere most of the time, I know what you mean however (he said, thinking of a recent delivery from the Wine Soc.... Clos du Notaire 2009 this weekend... )

[cloughie]

I have a large bush of this. Is it possible to dry the leaves to make a moth deterrent

or pot pourri sort of thing. And can it be used in drinks?? It's just by the back door and smells lovely at the moment

It can be used in Roast Chicken either placed a few sprigs inside the bird on its own or with other herbs or under the skin.

[Serial_Apologist]

It makes nice tea, as I've found, but when offered to a friend, he just said, "You must be balmy to drink that, you silly lemon".

[salymap]

It makes nice tea, as I've found, but when offered to a friend, he just said, "You must be balmy to drink that, you silly lemon".

Well S_A, thanks to Cali I have just had half a cup of Lemon Balm Tea. I think I would prefer it cold- it has a slightly odd taste,not lemon. Anyway, I won't give up but the fresh young leaves don't last very long. It is at it's best now.

[Nick Armstrong]

Well S_A, thanks to Cali I have just had half a cup of Lemon Balm Tea. I think I would prefer it cold- it has a slightly odd taste,not lemon. Anyway, I won't give up but the fresh young leaves don't last very long. It is at it's best now.

Great... Is it slightly minty? It's also called 'balm mint' apparently. It might do you some good, too*

I like the sound of cloughie's chicken recipe...






*used medicinally as an herbal tea, or in extract form, it is claimed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties (it is effective against herpes simplex).

It is also used as an anxiolytic, mild sedative or calming agent. At least one study has found it to be effective at reducing stress, although the study's authors call for further research. Lemon balm extract was identified as a potent in vitro inhibitor of GABA transaminase, which explains anxiolytic effects. The major compound responsible for GABA transaminase inhibition activity in lemon balm was then found to be rosmarinic acid.

Lemon balm and preparations thereof also have been shown to improve mood and mental performance. These effects are believed to involve muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Positive results have been achieved in a small clinical trial involving Alzheimer patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Essential oils obtained from Melissa officinalis leaf showed high acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase co-inhibitory activities.

[Serial_Apologist]

*
Lemon balm and preparations thereof also have been shown to improve mood and mental performance. These effects are believed to involve muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Positive results have been achieved in a small clinical trial involving Alzheimer patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Once word gets out the results should start to become apparent in the discussions taking place on the forum!

[Nick Armstrong]

Once word gets out the results should start to become apparent in the discussions taking place on the forum!

It did strike me that taking a small daily dose could be made one of the terms & conditions of Forum membership...

[salymap]

It did strike me that taking a small daily dose could be made one of the terms & conditions of Forum membership...

And I have a nice supply of fresh leaves. Half a cup of the stuff hasn't done anything for me yet.

[Serial_Apologist]

And I have a nice supply of fresh leaves. Half a cup of the stuff hasn't done anything for me yet.

I might just try smoking it...

(Parental Warning: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME)

[teamsaint]

This thread is heading in encouraging directions.
Not sure a small daily dose is enough for" committed " forumites, but hey, worth a try.

Perhaps imbibing in the correct way provides they key to the music of Delius.........