What can i do with lemon balm?

Question

Last year i planted 2 small lemon balm plants to try to keep the bugs off my tomatoes. (didn't help much) But the lemon balm grew well last year. I would pick a few leaves off and just eat them. At the end of the year i cut it down and didn't store it property and they went bad.

This year i had been very busy and couldn't maintain the garden. I didn't plant anything. When i went back there in June the lemon balm grew back and had taken over my little 4 x 4 garden. The plants are spilling over the edges of the garden and are about 18 - 24 inches tall.

I haven't done anything to the plants at all and they are HUGE! What can i do with all this lemon balm?

Answer 1

Carmelites made a tonic or cordial using this herb and others.

http://www.herballegacy.com/Morrison_For...

http://www.herbcompanion.com/herb-profil...

This herb goes well with the tart sorrel leaves in sorrel potato soup. Julienne a few leaves for garnish.

Use it when making salad dressing with herbs from the garden or mince it to add to butter or cream cheese for a flavored spread.

Lemon balm cake for a milder flavor than with lemon peel and juice.

http://www.recipezaar.com/123671

Lemon balm bread

http://www.recipezaar.com/112058

Answer 2

Lemon balm can turn into an invasive weed, as you have discovered. I use it for two purposes in the kitchen. I stuff some stems into a chicken before roasting, and it gives it a great lemon flavor. I also make lemon tea, but dropping a bunch of leaves in a teapot and pouring on hot water.

But you really need to get rid of most of your lemon balm and keep it under control next year. You can't use a garden-full.