Our Calming Lemon Balm Tea Recipe Is Packed with Benefits—Here’s How to Make It

2024-08-06
Our Calming Lemon Balm Tea Recipe Is Packed with Benefits—Here’s How to Make It
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 cups

A marriage of lemon and mint flavors makes this herb ideal for drinks and tea. If you grow lemon balm, you know how prolific it can be. Put your bounty of fresh herbs to good use, and make a cup of homemade lemon balm tea. Our recipe testers enjoyed the flavor with just a touch of honey.

What Is Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm is a perennial herb in the mint family. It's native to southern Europe, but has become popular across the United States. Lemon balm is easy to grow and like mint, spreads quickly. There are many benefits of lemon balm tea. The herb is known for its calming effects and has long been used to help reduce stress and lift spirits. Some even say the herb may have digestive, metabolic, and mental health benefits.

How to Make Tea Using Dried Lemon Balm

Dried lemon balm works well for this tea, too. Use 2 tablespoons dried lemon balm. Place dried lemon balm in a tea ball or strainer for steeping. Step as directed in the lemon balm tea recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon balm leaves (25 to 30)

  • 4 cups boiling water

  • Honey or sugar, optional

  • 1 slices lemon

Directions

  1. Place lemon balm leaves in a tea pot. Add boiling water. Cover tea pot and let lemon balm steep for 10 minutes.

  2. Strain tea into tea cups. Sweeten to taste with honey or sugar, if desired. Top each serving with a lemon slice.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

5 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 5.3
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.1g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 13mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 1.1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g 2%
Total Sugars 0.1g
Protein 0.4g 1%
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Vitamin C 2.9mg 3%
Calcium 29.6mg 2%
Iron 0.9mg 5%
Potassium 41.1mg 1%
Fatty acids, total trans 0g
Vitamin D 0IU
Alanine 0g
Arginine 0g
Ash 0.4g
Aspartic acid 0g
Caffeine 0mg
Carotene, alpha 0.1mcg
Choline, total 1mg
Copper, Cu 0mg
Cystine 0g
Energy 22.3kJ
Fluoride, F 168.6mcg
Folate, total 5.1mcg
Glutamic acid 0g
Glycine 0g
Histidine 0g
Isoleucine 0g
Leucine 0g
Lysine 0g
Methionine 0g
Magnesium, Mg 8.2mg
Manganese, Mn 0.1mg
Niacin 0.1mg
Phosphorus, P 6.1mg
Pantothenic acid 0mg
Phenylalanine 0g
Phytosterols 1.2mg
Proline 0g
Retinol 0mcg
Selenium, Se 0.1mcg
Serine 0g
Theobromine 0mg
Threonine 0g
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.1mg
Tryptophan 0g
Tyrosine 0g
Valine 0g
Vitamin A, IU 101.5IU
Vitamin A, RAE 5.1mcg
Vitamin B-12 0mcg
Vitamin B-6 0mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 18.6mcg
Water 239.2g
Zinc, Zn 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Sources
Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  1. Sepide Miraj, PhD, Rafieian-Kopaei, PhD, and Sara Kiani Melissa officinalis l: A review study with an antioxidant prospective. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(3):385-394. doi:10.1177/2156587216663433

Related Article

Our Million Dollar Pumpkin Tart Is Filled with Rich Caramel and Chocolate

Our Million Dollar Pumpkin Tart Is Filled with Rich Caramel and Chocolate

Classic pumpkin pie will always have its superfans, but this exciting new rendition might just steal the spotlight this year. Our million dollar pumpkin tart is filled with pumpkin, dulce de leche, and rich chocolate ganache.
This Retro 3-Ingredient Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe Tastes Like Dessert

This Retro 3-Ingredient Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe Tastes Like Dessert

Learn how to make a grasshopper cocktail recipe that tastes like mint-chocolate chip ice cream or those chocolate-mint candies. This easy cocktail recipe is a dreamy after-dinner drink idea and calls for just three ingredients, so it’s a breeze to make at home.
Our Hyper-Refreshing Tomato-Basil Spritz Makes the Most of Your Summer Harvest

Our Hyper-Refreshing Tomato-Basil Spritz Makes the Most of Your Summer Harvest

Our Tomato-Basil Spritz cocktail recipe starts with a homemade Tomato-Basil Shrub, freezes it into colorful Cherry Tomato-Basil Ice Cubes, and combines it all into the perfect drink.
Adding Cachaça to Your Liquor Lineup Is the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Home Bar

Adding Cachaça to Your Liquor Lineup Is the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Home Bar

Cachaça—the main ingredient in the Caipirinha cocktail—has the potential to take your bar cart to professional status.
DIY Dumpling Wrappers

DIY Dumpling Wrappers

This easy dumpling wrapper recipe takes just flour, water, and time to make pillowy dumpling wrappers from scratch. Double, triple, or further scale this recipe to make as many wrappers as you need.
How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras

How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras

Our king cake recipe features the classic ring shape and uses a pecan as the hidden baby. Learn about the king cake tradition and how you can celebrate Mardi Gras at home.
Copycat Giant Peppermint-Chocolate Cookies Are the Perfect Holiday Treat

Copycat Giant Peppermint-Chocolate Cookies Are the Perfect Holiday Treat

Inspired by New York's famous cookies, this riff is made with dark chocolate and peppermint. Our copycat giant peppermint-chocolate cookie recipe is the perfect holiday treat.
5 of the Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Cold—And 3 to Avoid

5 of the Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Cold—And 3 to Avoid

Caught a cold—or have a family member who has fallen ill? Support recovery by stoking the menu with the best foods to eat when you have a cold. These foods to eat when you have a cold won’t cure it for you, but bolstering your immune system with certain vitamins and minerals can potentially help you bounce back faster.
How to Store Corn on the Cob, According to Our Test Kitchen

How to Store Corn on the Cob, According to Our Test Kitchen

Curious about how to store corn on the cob? For the best flavor and juiciest kernels, you’ll consume it within 24 hours of being picked. But if you'd like to learn how to store corn longer, we’ll explain how to do so in the fridge for 1 week. We’re also revealing two options for how to store corn for up to a year.
How to Make Ceviche at Home

How to Make Ceviche at Home

Ceviche is a delicious dish made with raw fish, citrus, and fresh veggies. It's often served with tortilla or plantain chips. We'll walk you through how to make ceviche at home, including our Test Kitchen's tips for selecting the freshest fish at the market.
How to Make Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

How to Make Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

This year, skip the canned condensed soup and make a batch of homemade cream of mushroom soup. This version is richer, more flavorful, and surprisingly, just about as easy to make as opening a can.
Minnesota Hotdish Is the Regional Casserole Recipe You Need to Try

Minnesota Hotdish Is the Regional Casserole Recipe You Need to Try

A retro recipe from Minnesota, hot dish is an easy-to-make casserole that's topped with Tater Tots and baked until bubbly. Here's our Test Kitchen's recipe for Tater Tot hot dish, including tips for meal prepping the dish ahead.
Million Dollar Bacon Is Totally Addictive—And So Easy to Make

Million Dollar Bacon Is Totally Addictive—And So Easy to Make

Give your breakfast a major upgrade with a side of sweet and salty million dollar bacon. This easy bacon recipe starts with thick cut slices that are slathered with maple syrup and cracked black pepper.
Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed acorn squash recipes are trending and for good reason, this vegetable is just begging to be stuffed. Here we filled it with hearty bulgur and carrots, but also included dried fruit and citrus to brighten things up.
Mashed New Potatoes

Mashed New Potatoes

Mashed New Potatoes
How to Wrap a Sandwich for a Picture-Perfect Picnic

How to Wrap a Sandwich for a Picture-Perfect Picnic

Keep all those fillings from spilling out using a sandwich wrap paper of your choice and these tips.
Sweet Tortilla Wraps

Sweet Tortilla Wraps

Customize these sweet wraps for any craving or for any ingredients you have on hand. The options are endless for this make-and-take breakfast or snack idea.
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders

Make hot Italian sausage subs for a crowd with this easy slow cooker sandwich recipe. This easy Italian sandwich recipe makes enough meat for 12 subs, so it's great for a party or potluck.
Avocado BLT Club Sandwiches

Avocado BLT Club Sandwiches

Adding a few extra ingredients to your BLT will make it even better. These hearty sandwiches include classic BLT ingredients, plus turkey, ham, and avocado slices.
How to Cook Brisket on a Charcoal Grill That’s Tender and Juicy

How to Cook Brisket on a Charcoal Grill That’s Tender and Juicy

Before you invite everyone over for another backyard barbecue, learn how to cook a brisket on a charcoal grill and impress everyone with juicy, tender, smoky meat