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Recipe

Lemon balm leaf tea

Herb:
Melissa officinalis Melissa officinalis
Plant part:
Leaf

About 12 minBeginnerRecipe science profile

Procedure

  1. Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm or a handful of chopped fresh leaves to a cup.
  2. Pour about 250 ml of water just off the boil, then cover.
  3. Steep 8–12 minutes and strain. Drink lukewarm to cool — often in the evening for relaxation.

Extraction

Water:
250 ml
Herb:
1–2 čajové lžičky sušené nebo hrst čerstvých listů
Pour temperature:
80–95 °C
Steep:
8–12 min
Solvent:
Měkká pitná voda.
Shelf life:
Vychladlý nálev spotřebuj do 12 hodin v lednici.
Target compounds:
Silice a flavonoidy v horké vodě; delší louhování zvyšuje hořkost.

Notes

Not a substitute for professional care for anxiety or for treatment with prescribed medicines.

Why it works

EMA HMPC monographs on lemon balm leaf describe traditional use and safety in herbal preparations; a home infusion does not have a standardized concentration or the same indications as approved extracts. Shorter steeping and water just below boiling often preserve more of the lemon-scented volatile oils than a long boil.

Literature

Related

Melissa officinalisHerb card

Herbal infusion (tea)Processing method detail

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