9 Lemon Balm Recipes for Overstimulated Moms

 

 

It's 7 a.m., and you're already juggling breakfast, school outfits, and a toddler who insists on wearing one slipper and one snow boot. By noon, you've mediated three sibling arguments, tackled a mountain of laundry (but not yet folded it), and the list still feels endless. Sound familiar? If so, you probably need a little extra somthin' somthin'.

 

Enter lemon balm, the herbaceous plant you didn’t know you needed. - Until now, that is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Depleted Mother Syndrome?

 

Now, let’s talk about something many moms experience but rarely discuss – Depleted Mother Syndrome (DMS). If you’ve ever felt like a walking zombie, perpetually running on empty, you might be familiar with this sneaky condition.

 

You ay have also heard it being called "Mommy Burnout", or "Mom Burnout". - And, let me tell ya - it's REAL.

 

Though Depleted Mother Syndrome isn’t an "official" medical diagnosis, it’s a term that perfectly explains the complete overwhelm, overstimulation, chronic exhaustion, and feeling of never being able to stay on top of life that many moms face.

 

It's a situation that is caused by your to-do's and responsibilities growing, but there is no help or support in sight to help you manage everything.

 

Try imagining you’re a phone: in the mornings, you’re all charged up, but by the time 3pm rolls around, you’re down to 5% battery. There is still so much that needs to be done, and sadly, there’s no charger in sight. That’s Mommy Burnout in a nutshell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Toll of Depleted Mother Syndrome

 

Physical Exhaustion: Constant exhaustion is a hallmark sign of Depleted Mother Syndrome. Your body feels like it’s ran a marathon and a half, yet all you’ve done is survive an average Thursday.

 

Mental Overload: You are juggling so many decisions and tasks that you're lucky if you can remember your own name. The mental overload that comes with DMS makes even the smallest tasks and decision feel monumentous.

 

Emotional Drain: This is where mom rage can come into play. You are running on fumes, your tank is empty and there is no fill up in sight. Even the smallest things can make you feel like you may combust.

 

 

 

Mom Burnout Symptoms

 

If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms, you may be dealing with some level of Mom Burnout:

 

 

 

• Irritability: You may find yourself with little to no patience, and snapping over the smallest things.
• Lack of Joy: Activities you used to love may feel more like forced chores, if you do them at all.
• Forgetfulness: You’re consistently forgetting where you stores thing, appointments, or that thing you just learned how to do.
• Persistent Tiredness: Even if you get your 8 hours, you still feel like you need to go dormant for a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addressing Depleted Mother Syndrome

 

The first step in addressing DMS is realizing you're struggling with it. Just acknowledging that there isn't something "wrong" with you, that you’re simply running on empty can be a huge relief.

 

Next, as much as I hate to say it - but self care. The way I have practiced self care is different than how others may recommend.

 

It doesn't work for me to hire a sitter once a week and have a day to myself, and it also doesn't always work for me to run a bubble bath and ask my husband to watch the kids for an hour. See, he works away. And many husbands work very long hours. It's just not always an option.

 

Self care for me, looks like a nice hot cup of lemon balm tea, or waking up 30 minutes before the kids, doing a 20 minute workout in order to start reaching my goals.

 

Creating Micro Habits in motherhood are so, so important for mom burnout recovery. I do have a full Mommy Micro Habits Planner that I personally use, I highly recommend you download it and make it a priority to work through it. You can find it below.

 

There are many, many ways to use lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). I will cover many here from a fresh lemon balm tea recipe, dried lemon balm recipes, how to dry lemon balm, and a simple but effective intro on how to make lemon balm tea for anxiety.

 

So, dear mama, remember that you’re doing an incredible job. And it's okay to feel overwhelmed, and overstimulated. What’s most important is to find little pockets of peace amidst the chaos of motherhood. With a bit of lemon balm herb and a dash of self-love, you can overcome DMS and reclaim your energy.

 

Now, lets go brew ourselves some fresh lemon balm tea and take a well-needed break. We've got this!

 

 

 

What is Lemon Balm?

 

Lemon balm - or Melissa Officinalis if you want to impress your mom friends at the next parent teacher meeting, is a perennial (comes back year after year once established) herb from the mint family. Picture mint, but with a tasty lemon twist.

 

Lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages to reduce stress, anxiety, promote restful sleep, healing skin, and even ease indigestion. Monks were known to grow it in their gardens to make relaxing teas with!

 

 

 

Health Benefits of Lemon Balm

 

Here’s why lemon balm deserves a spot in your busy, overstimulated mom toolkit:

 

 

 

• Stress Relief and Anxiety Reduction: Lemon Balm is both a nootropic and a nervine. Meaning its soothing, calming, and actually improves nerve function and cognition. Perfect for those days when the "mom, mom, mom!" just won’t stop, or for those moms experiencing forgetfulness.
• Improved Sleep: Counting sheep not cutting it? Lemon balm helps support restful sleep, it has a mild sedative aspect to it if you take the right dosage. Though, if you are going for non sedative you can lower your dose and pair it with an herb that promoted energy such as Ginseng.
• Boosting Cognitive Function: "Mom brain"? Lemon balm has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function, even in those with Alzheimers. So you can kiss those forgetful mom moments goodbye.
• Digestive Support: Lemon balm can also help with bloating and indigestion.
• Antioxidant Properties: Lemon balm is loaded with antioxidants, which can help combat the stress of motherhood, and protect your cells from any damage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harvesting and How to Dry Lemon Balm

 

How to Harvest Lemon Balm

 

If you're thinking of growing lemon balm, I have some good news - its easy! I like to call it the goldfish of the herb growing world. It starts easy from seed, grows fast, and also spreads fast!

 

• Best Time to Harvest: Morning is the most optimal time to harvest your lemon balm, before the heat of the day gets to it. This is when the oils (scent, flavor and healing properties) are at their highest peak.
• How to Cut: Snip off stems just above a leaf node (you can use herb trimmers or your fingers). This brings on new growth and keeps your plant thriving. Think of it as shaping your plant.
• Frequency: The more you harvest your lemon balm, the more it'll grow! Its truly the gift that keeps on giving.

 

 

 

How to Dry Lemon Balm

 

Drying lemon balm very easy and it'll ensure you have this incredible herb on hand anytime you need it.

 

 

 

• Air Drying: Trim off small bunches of lemon balm, give them a quick rinse and pat dry. Then hang them upside down with a thin thread or wire. Be sure the place you pick is warm, dry, low humidity, and a is place with good air circulation to prevent molding.
• Dehydrator: If you’re a cool kid, and have a dehydrator, set it between 95 and 115 degrees from 1-5 hours. Flipping it every hour or two. This is the affordable dehydrator I personally love for my herbs.
• Oven Drying: Spread the leaves evenly on a baking sheet, and dry at the lowest temperature setting. Be very careful here. -as you can easily burn or ruin your herbs this way. Personally, I recomend the other options more.
• Storage: Once dried, in order to lengthen the shelf life, store your lemon balm in an airtight jar away from light and any moisture. I prefer these amber glass jars for my herbs.

 

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In the next sections, I'll dive into some of my favorite easy lemon balm recipes that nicely incorporate this helpful herb into your daily routine. Whether it’s a soothing cup of herbal tea, a nice filling and refreshing smoothie, or a skin soothing salve, these recipes will help you find those small moments of peace and vitality in the chaos of mom life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to buy Lemon Balm?

 

I recommend purchasing your lemon balm from Starwest Botanicals - they are exquisite, caring, trustworthy, and organic. And I have a code for you; HANNADAWN10 to save 10%.

 

"From our expert purchasers to our experienced lab technicians, you can trust that everyone in the Starwest family puts quality first every step of the way. Our botanical experts purchase directly from growers to ensure the highest integrity, consistency, and quality. Our products are thoroughly tested for authenticity and safety in our in-house laboratories and independent labs."

 

 

 

 

Easy Lemon Balm Recipes for Busy Moms

 

Alright mama, now that you’re a certified lemon balm specialist, you can roll up your sleeves and get creative with some amazing recipes.

OR

You if you feel that you are already overwhelmed with sourcing, processing, and making you own recipes—you can purchase my best selling lemon balm tea blend for overstimulated moms.

 

 

 

Easy Fresh Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

 

Let’s start with a classic – fresh lemon balm tea. Whether you prefer it hot or iced (my fave), this soothing drink is like an aromatic hug in a cup.

 

Recipe:

 

• Fresh leaves: Use 1 level tablespoon of fresh lemon balm leaves (a little bit of stems is okay too). You can also use a couple flowers if your plant is blooming.
• Place the leaves in a cup and then pour 1 cup / 8oz of boiling water over them.
• Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes. It important to cover so that you don't lose any of the vital oils.
• Strain and enjoy! You can add some honey if you like things sweet, but I encourage you to try it without, it's lovely.

 

Note: I prefer to not strain so I use these fine tea infusers when making teas.

 

Benefits of fresh lemon balm tea: This tea is great for winding down after a long, stressful day. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, all while setting you up for a night of quality, deep sleep.

 

 

 

 

Easy Dried Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

 

Dried lemon balm recipes are most popular, as dried lemon balm can be purchased easily. I prefer to get mine from Starwest Botanicals - use code HANNADAWN10 for 10% off your purchase. Not all herb companies are created equal. Starwest Botanicals takes incredible care when it comes to the herbs you choose, they are certified organic, and a very HIGH quality company.

 

Recipe:

 

• Dried leaves: Use 1 level Teaspoon of dried lemon balm leaves.
• Put the leaves in a mug and then pour 1 cup or 8oz of boiling water over them.
• Cover and let steep for around 5-10 minutes. It very important to cover so that you don't lose any of those vital oils.
• Strain & enjoy! You can add some honey if you like things sweet, but I encourage you to give it a go without, it's lovely.

 

Note: I prefer to not strain so I use these amazing fine tea infusers when making my teas.

 

Lemon Balm Smoothie Recipe

 

Needing a little morning pick-me-up? A lemon balm smoothie might be just the thing! It's both refreshing and energizing.

 

A major nutrient & beauty boosting tip I recommend is adding Liquid Biocell Collagen to any cold cold herbal recipe (use code: 3285945 for $10 off). It has an amazing berry flavor that comes from it's phytonutrient-rich superfoods like goji berry, cranberry, strawberry,
acai and strawberry, pomegranate, and apple. It's a total game changer if you want to up-level your herbal smoothies.

 

Recipe:

 

• 1/2 banana (frozen or not)
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries or raspberries
• 1/2 cup of plain yogurt (great for probiotics)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon balm leaves or reconstitute 1tsp of dried lemon balm with warm water
• 1 cup of milk of choice
• optional* a scoop of protein powder or collagen

 

Add all the ingredients into your blender, and pulse until perfectly smooth. Now enjoy a little burst of morning sunshine.

 

Benefits: This smoothie is a quick and delicious way to boost your energy and relieve stress. It’s like giving your morning routine a little pep talk.

 

 

 

Lemon Balm Infused Honey Recipe

 

This one is easy, but it does take some time to be ready. But trust me, it’s totally worth the wait. Lemon balm infused honey is a natural sweetener with soothing and calming properties.

 

I have had a lot of people ask me "What can you do with fresh lemon balm?" This is my favorite fresh herb recipe.

 

Recipe:

 

• 1 cup honey (preferably a raw honey)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon balm leaves

 

Adjust for a double recipe if needed.

 

Combine the honey and lemon balm in a jar. Then let it sit in a dark, warm spot for 1-2 weeks, giving it a nice stir every so often. Once it’s done infusing, strain out the lemon balm leaves. Then your lemon balm infused honey is ready to use in teas, toast, or even by the spoonful when you need a little tasty stress relief.

 

Benefits: Besides being a nice treat, lemon balm honey can be added to teas when you have a cold. Honey and lemon balm both support colds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lemon Balm Bath Soak

 

After a day of chasing those little ones and tackling your seemingly endless to-do list, a cozy lemon balm bath soak may be just what you need.

 

Recipe:

 

• 2 cups magnesium bath flakes (a great source of magnesium) These are the ones I use: Ancient Minerals Bath Flakes
• 1 cup dried lemon balm leaves
• 16-20 drops lavender essential oil (optional) Again, I use the Starwest Lavender Essential Oil

 

Mix everything into a bowl and store in an airtight container in a dry place. Add around a 1/2 cup to your warm water. Then sink on in, and let the relaxation take over.

 

Benefits: This soak is great for stress relief, soothing skin, colds, and a great way to get some magnesium in.

 

 

 

Lemon Balm Essential Oil Roller

 

Add this little roller to your purse for some on the go stress management.

 

Recipe:

 

• 10 ml amber glass roller bottle
• 9-10 drops lemon balm essential oil
• Carrier oil (like jojoba or almond oil)

 

Add the Lemon Balm essential oil to the bottle, fill it with the carrier oil you chose, then attach the rollerball and lid. Gently shake and apply to your temples, bottom of wrists, bottom of feet, or neck whenever you need a little calming action.

 

Benefits: This roller bottle gives you on-the-go relaxation.

 

 

 

Lemon Balm Salve Recipe

 

This soothing lemon balm salve is great for dry skin, black heads, small cuts, and bruises.

 

Recipe:

 

• 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves and stems (or 1/2 cup dried)
• 1 cup olive oil (or another carrier oil you like)
• 1/4 cup beeswax pellets
• 10 drops Starwest lavender essential oil (optional)

 

Infuse the oil with the lemon balm leaves, in a jar for 4 weeks (or heat for 3-5 hours on very low heat in a double boiler if you’re in a hurry). Then, strain the oil and heat with the beeswax in a double boiler until melted. Finally add in your lavender essential oil. Continue to mix the oil as it hardens to keep everything evenly distributed.

 

 

 

Lemon Balm Tincture Recipe

 

For a more potent dose of lemon balm, a traditional tincture is the way to go.

 

Recipe:

 

• 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves and stems, even flowers if you have them (or 1/2 cup dried lemon balm)
• 2 cups high-proof alcohol (like vodka, everclear, or even brandy)

 

Drop the lemon balm into a jar and cover with the alcohol. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking at least every other day. Strain into a dropper bottle and use 1-2 droppers full as needed.

 

Benefits: This tincture provides a concentrated stress and anxiety remedy. It’s like having a little bottle of serenity at your fingertips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alcohol-Free Lemon Balm Tincture Recipe

 

If you prefer to avoid alcohol for any reason, this glycerin-based tincture makes for a wonderful alternative. Just remember - glycerine based tinctures don't last as long a s alcohol based tinctures.

 

Recipe:

 

• 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves and stems (or a 1/2 cup dried herb)
• 1 cup of distilled water
• 2 cups of organic vegetable glycerin

 

Mix the vegetable glycerin and water together. Then, place the lemon balm in a jar, cover it with the glycerin mixture, then seal it up. Store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking at least every other day. Strain into a amber glass dropper bottle and use 1-2 droppers full as necessary.

 

Benefits: This alcohol-free, glycerine based tincture is safe for all ages and has the same concentrated benefits as an alcohol based tincture.

 

 

 

Creating a Self-Care Ritual

 

Now that you possess a large toolkit of amazing, and easy lemon balm recipes, it’s time to create your self-care routine. Consistency is key, so try to incorporate these small practices daily. You deserve it.

 

Morning: Begin your day with a cup lemon balm tea and honey, or a nice refreshing and filling smoothie. It’s a great way to set the tone for your day.

 

Noon: Take a nice midday break with lemon balm infused honey in your yogurt or tea. It’s the perfect reminder to take a pause and just breathe.

 

Evening: Wind down with you relaxing lavender lemon balm bath soak, or a nice warm cup of lemon balm tea.

 

Can You Eat Lemon Balm Leaves Raw?

 

Yes! You can treat lemon balm just like any edible herb. It's a lot like mint, but with a lemony tinge. You can use it for garnishes, in salads, and even in smoothies (recipe above). My personal favorite way to eat it raw, is over fresh fruit salads!

 

 

 

Who Should Not Take Lemon Balm?

 

According to Mount Sinai Hospital:

 

Lemon balm may potentially interact with the following medications: Sedatives and thyroid medications: Lemon balm may interact with sedatives and thyroid medications. If you are taking sedatives (for insomnia or anxiety) or medications to regulate your thyroid, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm.

 

According to WebMD:

 

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lemon balm is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

 

 

 

Testimonials and Experiences

 

Real-Life Stories: Moms like you and me have found outstanding benefits from using lemon balm in different ways. I am a mother of two toddlers, and Lemon balm is my saving grace most days.

 

Expert Opinions: Healthcare professionals, Naturopathic Doctors, and Herbalists also vouch for the amazing benefits of lemon balm.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

To recap, lemon balm or "Mellissa" could be your new best friend in your motherhood journey. From bath soaks and smoothies to salves and teas, there are so many ways to incorporate this herb into your daily life as a busy mama.

 

Remember, you need to prioritize your well-being to be the best mama you can be. Please feel free to share your experiences, favorite lemon balm recipe from the list, or additional tips and tricks in the comment area below.

 

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