@well.north.living: 🍃 I grew lemon balm for the first time this year — and now I can’t walk past it without stopping to sniff! 🍋 It also kept the bugs out of my garden! Here’s everything I learned from my first batch: 🌿 When to harvest Right before it flowers is the sweet spot — that’s when the leaves are most fragrant. We stripped the leaves, rinsed them, and let them dry. Next time I might leave the leaves on the stem to dry upside down to speed things up — the wet leaves stuck together! 🌿 How to store Once fully dry, I stored them in glass jars to lock in the flavor. Try not to crush the leaves — it helps preserve the essential oils. Keep the jar out of sunlight in a cool, dry place. 🌿 Why I love it Lemon balm has such a calming effect on the nervous system. It helps support GABA — the neurotransmitter that quietly simmers everything down — so it’s my go-to for winding down at night. It’s also lovely for digestion after a meal, which makes it the perfect cup before bed for a good night’s sleep. 😴 Have you grown lemon balm yet? Anything I’m missing? Tell me below 👇 *For educational purposes only. Not medical advice. #alaskalife #gardentea #lemonbalm #herbalmedicine🌿 #teatime
