Lemon balm is a plant that grows rather freely and for some is considered a nuisance. What some don’t realize is that lemon balm has many benefits from being good for sleep and relaxation to helping digestion and even easing headaches and other pains. Making a lemon balm tincture is a great way to utilize its amazing benefits while also using up the herbal bounty in your backyard!
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Benefits of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a highly medicinal plant with many benefits for our health and garden.
It is a mint family herb with a distinct and highly aromatic lemony scent that can easily be grown or foraged in many areas.
Due to its volatile oils and antispasmodic properties, lemon balm is calming for the nervous and digestive systems. It is also an effective herb for depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
Lemon balm is also a powerful antiviral that is commonly used to relieve cold sores! I have a recipe in my book Healing Herbal Infusions for a Lemon Balm Lip Balm that is excellent for use on cold sores.
Lemon balm is safe and highly regarded for children, and is often used to calm a sleepless or hyperactive child.
Lemon Balm Tincture Recipe
Making an herbal tincture is an easy process. I prefer to use the folk method for making tinctures which makes it even easier!
The folk method means that there is no precise measuring involved. Basically you put your herb of choice in a jar, lemon balm in this case, cover it with a neutral spirit like vodka, and let it sit for several weeks to infuse.
While I often use dried herbs when making a tincture, lemon balm is great to use fresh. It has a lot of volatile oils and aromatics, so a fresh lemon balm preparation will be more potent. This is true when making teas and other infusions with lemon balm as well.
Roughly chop up a few handfuls of fresh lemon balm then put the chopped herb into a pint jar, filling it almost all the way and mashing it down a bit with your hand or a wooden spoon.
Then pour in 80 proof vodka to cover the lemon balm. You might have to push down the leaves a bit and some still may float, but that’s ok.
If you want to make an alcohol free tincture (great for children) use vegetable glycerine instead of vodka to make a glycerite.
Cover the jar with a lid and put it in a cool and dark place (a pantry works well). For the first few days check on it and give it a gentle shake.
Since we are using fresh herbs you don’t need to worry about the herbal material soaking up all the vodka, which can sometimes happen when using dried herbs.
Let the tincture infuse for at least 4 to 6 weeks, but it can go even longer than that, several months or more.
When you’re ready to use the tincture, use a fine mesh sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth to strain out the lemon balm. Use the cheesecloth to squeeze as much of the tincture out as possible.
Store the tincture in dropper bottles for easy use. It will keep for many years!
If you prefer to buy tinctures rather than make your own, I highly recommend Herb Pharm! They carry Lemon Balm Extract (which is alcohol based like this recipe), Alcohol Free Lemon Balm Glycerite, and Kids Lemon Balm Calm. Use this code for 15% off your order: COLLEEN15
Herb Pharm products can also be found on Amazon here.
How to Use Lemon Balm Tincture
Lemon balm tincture is perfect to use when you want to enjoy the benefits of lemon balm without having to make a cup of tea.
This tincture is great to have on hand for when you need it to promote sleep or to help you relax and unwind at the end of the day. It is also beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety and can calm an upset stomach. It has even been known to reduce the pain from headaches.
Start with taking one dropper full at a time to see how that works for you, then take a bit more if you feel you need it. Lemon balm is a very safe herb so you don’t need to worry about taking too much.
Lemon balm is such an amazing herb, I love teaching people about all she has to offer us!
If you have loads of lemon balm growing in your herb garden I definitely recommend making this tincture. I also have over 30 more lemon balm recipes here!
Lemon Balm Tincture
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh lemon balm roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups 80 proof vodka approximately
Instructions
- Roughly chop up a few handfuls of fresh lemon balm then put the chopped herb into a pint jar, filling it almost all the way and mashing it down a bit with your hand or a wooden spoon.
- Pour in the 80 proof vodka to cover the lemon balm. You might have to push down the leaves a bit and some still may float, but that’s ok.
- Cover the jar with a lid and put it in a cool and dark place (a pantry works well). For the first few days check on it and give it a gentle shake.
- Let the tincture infuse for at least 4 to 6 weeks, but it can go even longer than that, several months or more.
- When you’re ready to use the tincture, use a fine mesh sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth to strain out the lemon balm. Use the cheesecloth to squeeze as much of the tincture out as possible.
- Store the tincture in dropper bottles for easy use. It will keep for many years!
My lemon balm tincture is a very dark color, dark brown, and it does not smell like lemon at all. I read your comments, someone else said this also, and you mentioned whether it was introduced to air at all. Mine wasn’t, sealed in a mason jar for 4 weeks…My daughter has been dying for this for cold sores…I don’t think it is usable. I did cut up lemon balm leaves and vodka, just like you said. Can she use it?
Thanks! Ellie
Hi Ellie, yes it is still usable, it just has some oxidation which is pretty common. It’s best to fill the jar up to the very top and then put the lid on it to prevent any airspace.
How do I use the tincture? I know you said a dropper full, do I put it in a glass of water, or take it straight up?
Whatever floats your boat! Some people add it to water or a drink or drop it straight into their mouths.
Hello, I love this idea and made some but almost as soon as i put the cover on , i noticed the leaves were turning brown . Is it still okay ? Thank you
Yes, that’s fine and totally natural.
I also have a bit of orange balm. Does orange balm have the same properties as lemon balm?
Yes, I believe so.
I made lemon balm tincture in the past (not using this recipe), but it all smells like grass. I’d like to keep the smell of lemon. Any advice?
Can I put lemon balm in with my cannabis when I am making that tincture?
I suggest tincturing all herbs separately and blending them once they’re done.
I’m so excited to try this. I will make the adult and child version. Are the parts the same for the vegetable glycerin? Did you use parchment paper to “seal” your jar, how clever?!
Yes, you can cover the lemon balm with vegetable glycerin the same way as you would vodka. It’s recommended to use parchment paper if you are using a metal lid because the metal can react to the contents!
I made the tincture and used a vodka and one with vegetable glycerin the vodka one is green is that normal??
I think it’ll be fine. It should turn an almost amber color as it continues to infuse.
Can you open and add more vodka to cover the herb if needed
Definitely!
I have lemon balm that is already dried, is it ok if I use that? And if so, how would that change the process for making it that is listed up above?
Hi Dani. When making a tincture with dried herbs, you’ll want to use 1 part herbs to 4 parts alcohol.
Hi! Your recipe states to take a dropper full of the tincture. Aren’t there different size droppers? Trying to figure out how much to take! Thank you!
1/4 to a tsp daily is plenty.
Is it okay to use both leaves and stems, or do I need to strip the leaves away from the stems?
Hi, Stephanie. You can use the stems and leaves in tincture making.
Vodka with 37.5% alcohol is ok?
In Europe 37.5% is more common than 40%.
Hi Jeroen, yes that should work just fine!
I made some, it has sat 6 weeks.. it is very dark.. (the color of strong black tea) it no longer smells like lemon balm or vodka..is this normal? I’m making it for my mom who has shingles.. I don’t want to make her sicker if something went wrong..
Hi Betsy, are you sure your lemon balm had no exposure to air and completely submerged under the vodka? It sounds like your tincture has oxidized. When that happens, it’s still usable, however, it will quickly degrade in quality and consequently, its medicinal properties.
Hey there ~ curious as to how much of a difference the quality of vodka makes? Would generic bottom shelf taste much different than lets say Titos?
Hi Lauren! The higher the ABV, the more flavor will be extracted from your tincture. A middle shelf vodka is about right.
just bought some vodka, can’t wait to make some Tincture. My question is on the lemon balm tincture video, you’re playing the best fiddle music. Would you share where you got the music and the artist?
I second this question! Loved your video and loved the music…
My lemon balm has already gone to flower. Can I still use it for a tincture?
I usually cut the flowered portion off. Cut the bush down and use what i have cut off. The plant will grown back again.
Can I use 50% proof Vodka I don’t have 80%
80 proof vodka is 40% alcohol, so you’re good!
Making this today. We have loads of fresh lemon balm and I just pulled some out by accident so this is a great time to make the tincture.
Thanks.
Is it ok to add fresh lemon balm leaves to already made tincture to make it dbl strength. I did this and noticed a very fruity smell and noticed a few of the submerged leaves went a bit brown. Is this tincture still ok it was all submerged. Thanks in advance. T
Can I make and oil infusion with dried leaves?
Hi Zandra, yes you can definitely do that!
HI Zandra! Yes, you can!
Thank you very much for this excellent article. I will make the Lemon Balm recipe you have provided. I am very grateful.
Where would you find fresh Lemon Balm leaves if you do not happen to have anywhere to grow some?
I gathered some lemon balm earlier this year and dehydrated and powdered it how can I use the powder?
tea would be good.
What do you use it on your body or drink itsa
Thanks for a great tutorial. What glycerine have you used. There are so many, I want an organic that’s not too expensive since I will be using a lot. I have lots of uses for it.
When making it as a glycerite, does it take the same amount of time? Also, are there any concerns about mold? I’ve had a few infusions I’ve had to toss due to mold growth. :( Thanks!
Can I add honey to the alcohol tincture for flavor?
Thank you for this!
Could I substitute lemon verbena?
If someone is a recovering alcoholic, is it wise to make a tincture, or should they go the glycerite route? For a teenager, should you use alcohol or glycerite? My daughter could use this daily as she has anxiety in school, but the alcohol content makes me nervous.
Sorry to butt in, but we make the glycerite using Colleen’s instructions and it works great! My kids and I both prefer glycerine, actually. Blessings to your daughter!
Hi Cathy, for a recovering alcoholic or children (including teenagers) I would definitely make a glycerite instead of an alcohol tincture. You can also try it as a vinegar infusion, but a glycerite would be tastier.
My son had a lot of anxiety in school. It was very difficult to get him to go. He still deals with the results of the torture of it. I took gluten out of his diet, and he was so much better. Then I started putting Vetiver and patchouli essential oils on the bottom of his big toe (the brain reflex point) even better, I added doterra’s copaiba, even better. Amino acids help also. Look up Dr. Trudy Scott. She is amazing. She deals with social anxiety, so she understands what it is like. She has many interviews and webcasts you can watch. GABA works great for almost instant relief of anxiety.
Please do not take gluten out of the diet until tested for the Full Celiac panel, as going gluten free will cause the testing to be false negative. 80% of Celiac are undiagnosed due to people giving improper advice about removing gluten from the diet before testing
Wow, I have a 40 foot hillside where it has taken over! I love the stuff but did not know what to do with it beyond tea and fish. Now I have a wonderful new way of utilizing God’s gift.