Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants: Identify, Harvest, and Use 120 Wild Herbs for Health and Wellness by Scott Kloos

Author:Scott Kloos [Kloos, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Timber Press
Published: 2017-05-17T04:00:00+00:00

Lemon balm has a deep relationship with bees. Its Latin name, Melissa, comes from the same Greek root as that of the European honey bee, Apis mellifera.

Where, When, and How to Wildcraft

A widespread garden escapee introduced from Eurasia, this perennial mint inhabits moist places, ditches, meadows, trail sides, and disturbed areas from Alaska to California. Lemon balm grows in full sun or partial shade and may show up in your garden unexpectedly.

Harvest from early to late summer just prior to or during the initial stage of flowering. Clip the stalks at the base and remove discolored leaves. For teas, bundle the stems at the base with rubber bands or string and hang to dry. Remove the leaves as soon as they are completely dry and store in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Stored well, the delicate leaves of lemon balm will retain their medicinal properties for between 6 and 12 months after drying. For tincture, strip the leaves and flowers from the stalks and process them fresh. Include the flexible upper parts of the stem if they have the same lemony flavor as the leaves.

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