What's the difference between lemon balm and lemongrass?

Category: food and drink non alcoholic beverages
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Lemongrass is a grass, not a shrub like lemon balm. Unlike lemon balm, lemongrass does not have a strong minty undertone. The flavor profile is primarily the lemon note against a mildly herbaceous background, the result is a more astringent flavor profile than you would get from lemon balm.



Similarly, you may ask, what is the benefit of lemon balm?

Today, lemon balm is used in traditional medicine as both a sleep aid and digestive tonic. It can be consumed as a tea, taken as a supplement or extract, or applied to the skin in balms and lotion. Lemon balm essential oil is also popular in aromatherapy, where it is believed to promote calmness and ease stress.

Beside above, what can I use instead of lemon balm? Substitute for Lemon balm
  • For each tablespoon needed substitute 1 to 2 teaspoons of freshly grated lemon zest.
  • OR - 2 teaspoons fresh mint, chopped + 1 teaspoon fresh lemon basil, chopped.

Also Know, is lemongrass in the mint family?

Lemongrass grown as an annual herb in a Wisconsin vegetable garden. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tender perennial native to tropical areas of East Asia (Zones 9-11) that grows to form a large clump up to 3 feet tall in hot and humid summers. Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family.

What is the difference between lemon and lemon balm essential oil?

Both lemon balm oil, and lemon balm essential oil contain lemon balm,but that is where the similarities end. Lemon balm oil is made by soaking the lemon balm herb in a carrier oil. The oil is also used for other viral skin infections. Most lemon balm oils are made using the cold pressed method.

35 Related Question Answers Found

Is it safe to take lemon balm everyday?

Lemon balm is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts, short-term. It's been used safely in research for up to 4 months. Side effects are generally mild and may including increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and wheezing.

Is Lemon balm anti inflammatory?

Lemon Balm relaxes the blood vessels and is also credited with an antiviral effect. pox, cold sores and acne. exerts an anti-inflammatory action that may prove useful for alleviating redness and swelling associated with acne outbreaks. Being a member of the Mint family, Lemon Balm decrease stress and anxiety.

Does lemon balm raise blood pressure?

Adding more lemon balm tea to your diet could have a beneficial effect on patients' circulation, said Brewer. “Lemon balm is now widely used to ease a number of stress-related symptoms including digestive problems, nausea, flatulence, depression, and high blood pressure.

Does lemon balm affect thyroid?

Thyroid disease: Don't use lemon balm. There is a concern that lemon balm may change thyroid function, reduce thyroid hormone levels, and interfere with thyroid hormone-replacement therapy.

Does lemon balm increase GABA?


The mechanisms by which lemon balm imparts the above effects are unknown. GABA-T is a common target for anxiolytic drugs and it has recently been found that rosmarinic acid from lemon balm has potent anti-GABA-T activity.

What is the side effect of lemon grass?

Oral: Gastrointestinal spasms, stomachache, hypertension, convulsions, pain and neuralgia, vomiting, cough, rheumatism, fever, common cold, and exhaustion.

Can you eat lemon balm leaves?

What to do with the leaves? They're great for cooking. Use lemon balm in place of lemon peel in recipes and to flavor soups, sauces, vinegars and seafood. Or add it to your favorite sugar cookie dough for a delicious lemony tea cookie.

Does lemon balm interact with medications?

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.

Can I use lemon balm instead of lemongrass?

Can you use lemon balm in place of lemongrass and vice versa? Lemon balm and lemongrass are not perfectly interchangeable, but they can serve as substitutes for each other in a pinch. Note also that the outer leaves of fresh lemongrass are fibrous, which means that they will have to be removed before serving the dish.

What herbs go with lemongrass?


The spice complements and balances sharper flavors, which is why it is frequently combined with chili pepper, garlic, galangal, and turmeric. The soothing fragrance of lemongrass is from its essential oils, notably Citral Oil – an oil also found in lemon peel.

Does lemon balm smell like lemons?

The green leaves of lemon balm have the scent of lemon with a hint of mint, with leaves that look like oversized mint — no surprise, since lemon balm is part of the mint family.

How do you make lemon balm tea for anxiety?

Lemon Balm Tea Recipe
Pour the boiling water over the dried lemon balm leaves. Infuse the mixture for up to 10 minutes and chill and drink afterward.

Does thyme smell like lemon?

A favorite of all thymes, lemon thyme is great in the garden and the kitchen. Although it looks like German thyme (or English thyme), it definitely tastes and smells like lemon. Use lemon thyme in any recipe that calls for lemon, including marinades.

What herbs are in the mint family?

It is astounding that so many of our most popular and valuable herbs – including what I would consider the majority of the finest culinary herbs – are in the mint family. They include basil, thyme, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, sweet marjoram, rosemary, sage, savory, summer savory, anise hyssop, and germander.

Are lemon balm flowers edible?


Edible Parts
They can be added into many dishes in which the lemon flavour can be enjoyed. Lemon balm has been added to many desserts including ice cream and custards. It is always to be used fresh when using for food (other than a tea).

Is Lemongrass a lemon?

Lemon vs Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass and lemon oil are completely different essential oils—although both have a lemony scent. While lemongrass oil is steam-distilled from a species of grass, lemon oil is cold-pressed from lemon peels. They also have different chemical make-ups.

Does lemongrass have blooms?

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, is a perennial grass in the family Poaceae grown for its fragrant leaves and stalks which are used as a flavoring. Lemongrass produces large compound flowers on spikes when grown in the tropics, but rarely flowers when grown in more Northern latitudes.