Lemon Balm Recipes for the Summer Solstice

The skies are bright and the days lengthen. We feel a pulse within ourselves, a rhythm that is undeniable. The gorgeous weather draws us ever outward, into the landscape and out from the more contemplative months behind us.
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The world is going green and flowers and blossoms and all kinds of plants have returned to the verdant world. Summer is a time for spending more time outside, getting reacquainted with our skin and feeling our own inner quickening.

The Summer Solstice is a festival linked to the profound fertility of the land and the awakening aliveness in humans, animals, birds, insects and all other beings and plants. As the months of summer warm, our access to the vast night sky becomes ever more available. It is warmer and we are up later and the vast star and moon filled heavens swirl above us.
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It is time to play, frolic, learn, investigate, adventure, open, dream, experiment, lounge, listen and invite new ways of being into our world. Summer is a time when we have the greatest access to fresh plants and vegetables and lots of daylight to explore in.

One of my favorite plants of all time is Lemon Balm:
                            Melissa officinalis


"Melissa" is greek for honey bee, so named because of the small white flowers that appear on the plant in the summer which attract bees.
Lemonbalm is also known as the "gladdening" herb for its affects on mood and has been cultivated for over 2000 years.
It is a calming herb that helps with anxiety, is a mild antidepressant and was used as a drink to ensure longevity.
Lemon Balm's spicy, lemony scent is especially useful with cranky little ones...Simply, crush the fresh leaves between your fingers and let them smell.  It works wonders. 

Other medicinal uses:
-Antiviral, esp. useful for Herpes Simplex Virus
-Insomnia (I've made a tincture with lemonbalm, hyssop and hops called "Larky go to sleepy")
-Hot flashes
-Headache
-Hyperthyroidism 
-Fevers
-Relieves spasms in the digestive tract
-Colds and Flus
-Fresh leaves used to soothe insect bites
P.s. lemon balm is contraindicated for those with hypothyroid

Cooking in the summer time with the fresh plant is especially fun. 

Blueberry Lemon Balm Pie

​Ingredients:
8 cups frozen organic blueberries 
1 granny smith apple, peeled and grated
3 Tbs raw agave or honey
zest of 1 lemon, and juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Handful of Lemon balm leaves
3 T tapioca flour
1 gluten-free pie crust

Directions:
Cook 3 of the cups of blueberries on medium heat for 6-8 minutes. Mash the blueberries with a potato masher to release some of the juice. Remove cooked blueberries and add to large bowl. Ciffonade and then chop the Lemon balm. Add the rest of the ingredients (including the rest of the frozen blueberries) and toss together. Pour into gluten-free pie crust. Bake at 400 degrees F for 35 minutes, then lower the heat to 350 and bake for another 40-60 minutes. Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from "The perfect gluten/sugar-free blueberry pie" at laurelsimpson.com

Top your pie with a feathery whipped cream or whipped coconut cream.
 
or go for a classic:

Top it with a smooth organic vanilla bean ice cream (vegan or regular).

Lemon Balm Lemonade

Ingredients:
2 Lemons
Fresh or Dried Lemon balm
Honey (Osha or Lavender are especially good)
Water

Directions:  
Boil water and make a lemon balm tea. Steep the plant for a minimum of 30 minutes to overnight.  Chill the lemons.  Once steeping is done chill the tea. Juice the 2 lemons. Add 16 oz of the lemon balm tea and the lemon juice to a jar with a lid.  Add honey to taste. Shake the lidded jar vigorously. Drink!

I have also made this as a "sun" tea by placing the fresh Lemon Balm into some water and letting it soak in the sun. This is especially potent for using this recipe during the Summer Solstice!

Enjoy, you bright summer sprites!!!

Delightedly,

​Lark