Are you looking out for a comprehensive guide about using lemon balm for kids? Here is all the information that you need to know!
In this article, you are going to learn everything about lemon balm for kids, which includes a brief introduction of what it is, how it is helpful for kids, how it may harm the kids, and the methods in which you can use it. So get ready with a notepad, as you will gain a lot of information that you might not know about lemon balm.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a valuable herb that belongs to the mint family and grows throughout the year. It is named so because it has a mild aroma of lemon in its leaves. It is used both alone as well as a combination with other beneficial herbs. Although it is not scientifically proven, lemon balm is widely famous for treating many psychological concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia. The oil extract of these leaves is used in foods and beverages to add a flavor to them.
Lemon Balm for Kids
Kids react comparatively faster to the items that you serve them as compared to adults. Whether it is a positive change or a negative one, they exhibit it quite well. Below is the list of benefits that your child can enjoy if you serve them lemon balm in different forms:
1. Soothing and Relaxing Properties
Add a small quantity of lemon balm to any dishes that you prepare and serve it warm to your child. This will bring a soothing sensation and relaxes their body, thereby eliminating fatigue. It reduces stress and fatigue from the hectic day at school or at the playground. Not to mention, relaxation facilitates healthy growth and concentration in kids.
2. Effective Against Digestive Disorders
Since lemon balm has some properties of lemon, which is a fibrous vegetable, it helps to fight against various digestive disorders like difficult digestion and bloating.
3. Reduces Restlessness
Lemon balm is also effective in reducing restlessness. It helps the kids have an excellent and facilitated sleep after a tiring day at school or playing.
These are the benefits that your child enjoys if you serve them lemon balm at regular intervals. As you know, everything that comes with some positivities also contains one or two negative impacts on children. So it is always suggested to use it judicially so that you are not the prey of the side effects of lemon balm.
Negative Effects of Lemon Balm on Kids
Here is a list of all the negative impacts that lemon balm puts on kids if you don’t serve it to them in a prudent manner.
- If you feed an excessive amount of lemon balm to the kids, it can cause minor side effects like vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, and increased appetite.
- If you think that you can apply lemon balm on your child’s skin just because it shows some of the lemon’s medicinal properties, you might be wrong in that respect. Lemon balm is not suitable to be used on the tender skin of your child. Even in adults, if you choose to apply lemon balm on your skin, you should only apply it in medicinal amounts.
- Experts say that lemon balm is not a good option to be used for a long-term purpose.
These all are the negative impacts of lemon balm on kids that you must keep in mind. It is always a good idea to avoid using lemon balm for kids as even the slightest alteration in the quantity can put the child at risk.
10 Ways To Use Lemon Balm
1. Lemon Balm Syrup
You can serve lemon balm syrup to both children and adults as it is a delicious way to ease fatigue and relax the body.
Collect and put some lemon balm leaves in a small pot and fill it with water till all the leaves submerge in water. Put the pot on low heat and cover it with a lid. Keep the flame on till the water reduces to half. Now strain out the leaves and add 1/4 cup of raw honey to the concoction. You can adjust the sweetness as per your kid’s liking. You can store this syrup in the refrigerator for as long as 4-5 days.
Serve a teaspoon of syrup to the kids before bedtime to have them enjoy a good night’s sleep. Don’t overdo the dosage as it can risk multiple side effects.
2. Lemon Balm Herbal Water
It is pretty simple to make if you want to have something refreshing on a hot summer day. You need to fill a jar with fresh lemon balm leaves and put a sliced lemon. Add some cold water into it and refrigerate it for an hour. Drink it cold, your kids will love it and it’s an excellent alternative to plain water.
3. Lemon Balm and Honey Butter
Take four tablespoons of softened butter and add a pinch of finely chopped lemon balm to it. Now add a few drops of honey to it. You can apply it to fresh bread or biscuits; it offers a great taste and is refreshing as well.
4. Lemon Balm Candies
Beat an egg white and add some drops of water to it. Now dip the lemon balm leaves in the mixture and then dip it in sugar. Lay down the coated leaves on a baking sheet and bake it. Kids love to eat sugary and juicy candies!
5. Lemon Balm Tincture
This is used to soothe the digestive system when the kid is suffering from an upset stomach. Add some lemon balm leaves into a jar and subsequently add a little amount of alcohol to it. Cover it with the non-metallic lid and store it in a cool dark place. Store the tincture for a year at least and make sure that you shake it periodically. Once the period completes, your tincture will be ready.
6. Relaxing Bath with Lemon Balm Leaves
To enjoy a relaxing bath, you can fill a bag with lemon balm leaves and rose petals. Fix the bag on the tap and run the water till the tub fills. Now add a cup of Epsom salt in the tub to make it even more relaxing.
7. Relaxing Lemon Balm Tea
Take some fresh lemon balm leaves in a jar. Now add some hot water into the pot and immediately cover it with a saucer so that no vapor comes out. Keep it undisturbed for some time so that it gets cool enough to drink. Add sugar to taste and serve.
8. For Acne and Bug Bites
Take a pinch of cosmetic clay and moisten it with lemon balm tea. Dab on the blemishes, and the bug bites on your skin with a cotton ball. Let it dry as long as you can and wash off with clean water.
9. Lemon Balm Glycerine
Fill a jar with some lemon balm leaves. To the same pot, add three parts of vegetable glycerine and one part of water. Let it sit for a few days before using it.
10. Lemon Balm Salad Dressing
Dress up your salads with honey and yogurt. Afterward, you can add finely chopped lemon balm leaves and a pinch of lemon zest to your salad.
All these recipes are worth trying at home so that you can enjoy the benefits of lemon balm leaves.
Takeaway
As we have read in the article, lemon balm leaves have many benefits if used in adequate amounts in all the recipes mentioned above. As a caretaker for the kitchen minister of your house, you should take care of the uses of lemon balm leaves in your home so that none of your kids suffer from the consequences. We will keep coming with such informative articles for you. If you find this article helpful, let us know in the comment section below.
