Why Everyong is Drinking Lemon Balm Tea (+ 10 Soothing Recipes to Try!)

A Quiet NIGHTLY TEA Ritual That Changed Everything

If there’s one small ritual I have started this year that’s brought me profound calm, softness, and balance as I navigate the beautiful but often turbulent waters of perimenopause aka my 40’s, it’s brewing myself a cup of lemon balm tea.

I stumbled upon this gentle herb a few years ago while looking for natural ways to soothe my frazzled nerves and find moments of true rest in the middle of life’s chaos.

I had no idea that this simple, fragrant plant — often overlooked in the garden — would become one of my most beloved tools for staying grounded, feeling feminine, and supporting my hormonal shifts naturally.

Fun fact, I now walk around this Lemon Balm extract in my purse, just a dab under the tongue instantly brings a sense of calm.

Today, I want to share exactly why lemon balm tea is so special, how it supports us as women (especially in our 30s, 40s, and beyond), and how you can weave it into your daily self-care rituals to nurture your nervous system, balance your mood, and invite more oxytocin — that sweet “love hormone” — into your body and your life.

What is Lemon Balm and Why Does It Feel Like a Hug in a Cup?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a gentle herb in the mint family with a lovely, subtle lemony scent. It’s been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine as a calming tonic for the mind, a gentle digestive aid, and a beautiful supporter of restful sleep.

For me, it feels like an herbal embrace — a moment of peace that melts tension and invites my body back into its soft, feminine state. When life feels hectic or hormones feel unsteady, sipping lemon balm tea helps me come home to myself.

🍵 The 6 Beautiful Benefits of Drinking Lemon Balm Tea

Sipping a warm cup of lemon balm tea is like wrapping your nervous system in a gentle hug. This unassuming herb — Melissa officinalis — has been cherished for centuries for its soothing, mood-lifting, and heart-lightening properties. Here’s why it’s so wonderful to keep in your daily routine:

✨ 1. Naturally Calms the Mind & Eases Stress
Lemon balm is well-loved for its mild sedative effects. Drinking the tea can help quiet racing thoughts and bring a peaceful pause to an overwhelmed mind. Many people enjoy a cup in the afternoon or evening to unwind after a busy day.

✨ 2. Supports Deeper, Restorative Sleep
Because it helps relax the nervous system, lemon balm tea can gently prepare your body for rest. It’s a beautiful bedtime ritual if you’re someone who struggles to fall asleep or wakes up feeling restless during the night.

✨ 3. Aids Healthy Digestion
Traditionally, herbalists have turned to lemon balm to soothe occasional digestive discomfort. It can help ease bloating, mild cramps, or that “nervous stomach” feeling that sometimes comes with stress.

✨ 4. Uplifts the Mood
One of my favorite things about lemon balm is how it seems to lift a low mood without being overly stimulating. A cup can feel like a natural boost of sunshine on days when you need a little extra emotional support.

✨ 5. Balances & Nourishes the Nervous System
Regularly drinking lemon balm tea is a gentle way to support your body’s resilience to stress. It helps calm the body’s fight-or-flight response and brings you back to your natural state of ease and flow.

✨ 6. Deliciously Simple Self-Care
Beyond its herbal magic, brewing lemon balm tea invites you to slow down, sit with yourself, and remember that tending to your inner calm is a form of everyday self-love. It’s an easy ritual that reminds you to prioritize moments of softness and stillness in your day.

Tip: Fresh or dried leaves both work well — just steep for about 5–10 minutes and inhale that delicate, lemony aroma as you sip. I love adding a spoonful of lemon balm honey or pairing it with other calming herbs like chamomile, lavender, or mint.

Related Reading: How to do a proper tea ritual

How I Use Lemon Balm Tea in My Daily Life

My ritual is simple but deeply nourishing:

• I keep dried organic lemon balm in a pretty glass jar near my kettle.

• In the late afternoon — when my energy dips and stress peaks — I brew a pot of tea and step away from my screens.

• I pour it into my favorite mug and take ten slow minutes to savor the warmth, inhale the citrusy aroma, and just be.

This simple pause helps regulate my nervous system, lowers cortisol, and reminds my body it’s safe to relax and receive.

{ click here to shop my lemon balm tea essentials }

10 Calming & Soothing Lemon Balm Recipes You’ll Love

1️⃣ Fresh Lemon Balm Lemonade — The Herbal Academy
This simple recipe shows you how to use fresh lemon balm leaves to make a delicate, uplifting lemonade. Perfect for beginners, it’s a gentle way to enjoy lemon balm’s calming effects in their purest form.

2️⃣ Lemon Balm Iced Tea — Tidbits & Co
Cool off while calming your nerves with this refreshing iced version. It’s lightly sweet and incredibly soothing — wonderful for hot days when you want to sip something that reduces tension and lifts your mood.

3️⃣ Lemon Balm & Coconut tea — Homestead Challenge
Infuse coconut with lemon balm to create a sweet, herbaceous treat. It’s a lovely way to boost relaxation and sneak lemon balm’s benefits into your day.

4️⃣ Honey Lemon Balm Spritzer — She wears may hats
A fun twist on classic lemonade, this herbal version combines fresh lemon balm with zesty citrus for a cooling drink that soothes anxiety and feels like sunshine in a glass.

5️⃣ Lemon Balm and Chamomile Sleep Tea — The Good Life
Pair lemon balm with gentle chamomile for a dreamy bedtime blend. Sip this before bed to quiet your thoughts and invite deep, restorative sleep.

6️⃣ Lemon Balm Detox Drink for weight loss — Recipe Master
This is perfect to sip in the evenings and curb the bedtime cravings. It’s also a delicious way to enjoy lemon balm’s relaxing AND detoxifying properties.

7️⃣ Lemon Balm & Mint Herbal Popsicles — Edible Wild Food
Cool, calming, and kid-friendly, these herbal popsicles combine lemon balm and mint for a soothing treat on warm days. They’re a fun way to help the whole family unwind.

8️⃣ Lemon Balm Salve— Food For Life Garden
This helps to calm digestion, ease tension, and support your immune system — a staple in traditional herbal pantries.

9️⃣ Lemon Balm Tincture — Food For Life
Learn how to make your own tincture — a concentrated extract you can keep on hand for quick stress relief. A few drops under the tongue can help you stay calm and centered during busy days.

🔟 Lemon Balm Infused Oil for Calming Skincare — Hawk Homestead
Lemon balm isn’t just for sipping — you can infuse it in oil to make a gentle skincare remedy that soothes irritated skin and promotes a sense of calm when massaged in.

Hope you enjoyed this post!

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How to Plan an Affordable Wellness Retreat at Home Step-By-Step

One of the things I’ve noticed about being an entrepreneur is that stress, worry and exhaustion can easily creep into our lives like a cozy pair of jeans, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and out of sync. When life starts to feel like one big jumble, taking a day away—even if it’s just at home—can be the ideal remedy. Creating your own wellness retreat at home offers a personal escape, a chance to reset, and a gentle reminder to prioritize self-care.

With a little planning and structure, a DIY retreat can help you find that sweet balance between relaxation, mindfulness, and self-reflection. By carving out time for self-care and intentional moments, you can shift your perspective, quiet the noise, and reconnect with your creativity.

Planning a wellness retreat doesn’t have to mean traveling to an expensive resort or spending hundreds on spa services. You can experience the same rejuvenating benefits right in the comfort of your home.

With a little preparation, some self-care essentials, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can create a sanctuary that allows you to relax, recharge, and reconnect—all without breaking the bank.

Related Reading: 8 self care habits to adopt before the holidays

Here’s a step-by-step guide on planning an affordable wellness retreat at home.

Step 1: Set the Intention

Start by deciding the purpose of your retreat. Do you want to focus on relaxation, recharging, or just escaping the daily hustle? Your intention will guide how you structure the retreat. Take a few minutes to jot down your goals, whether it's relieving stress, finding inspiration, or getting quality “me-time.” This mental preparation helps set a calming tone.

Step 2: Declutter and Create a Peaceful Environment

Your environment plays a huge role in how relaxed you feel. Take some time to tidy up, declutter, and create a cozy atmosphere in your space. If you’re dedicating the weekend to this, focus on your bedroom, bathroom, and living area, where you'll spend most of your retreat. Freshen up your space by adding soothing touches like soft blankets, pillows, and candles, or use essential oil diffusers with calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus.

Related Reading: How to set up your bathroom for a spa day

Consider lowering the lights, playing gentle music, or adding white noise to enhance the serene vibe. Remember, the goal is to create a space that invites you to slow down and breathe deeply.

Step 3: Plan Your Wellness Schedule

An at-home retreat can be as simple or structured as you want. Here are some activities you might include:

• Meditation and Deep Breathing: Start your day with a guided meditation or a simple breathing exercise to calm your mind and set a positive tone.

• Gentle Yoga or Stretching: Roll out a mat and follow along with a free yoga class online. Yoga is excellent for both relaxation and physical release.

• Journaling: Reflect on your goals, feelings, and gratitude. Journaling is a great way to connect with your inner self and gain perspective.

• DIY Spa Treatments: Treat yourself to a facial, hair mask, or foot soak. You can find budget-friendly recipes for scrubs and masks using common kitchen ingredients like honey, sugar, and coconut oil.

• Mindful Eating: Plan a few nourishing meals that you can enjoy slowly, focusing on taste and texture. Try simple recipes with whole foods, like a fresh salad, smoothie, or homemade tea blend.

Creating a rough schedule can help you make the most of your time. Consider blocking off 30-minute or 1-hour segments for each activity.

Step 4: Prepare Your DIY Spa Essentials

No wellness retreat would be complete without spa treatments, but you don’t need expensive products. Here are some affordable DIY ideas:

• Face Masks: Try a simple honey and yogurt mask for moisturizing or a clay mask if you’re looking to purify your skin.

• Body Scrubs: Mix brown sugar and olive oil for a natural exfoliating scrub. You can add a drop or two of essential oil for a luxurious feel.

• Aromatherapy Bath: If you have a bathtub, create a bath with Epsom salts, a few drops of lavender oil, and some rose petals for a spa-like experience.

• Foot Soak: For a relaxing foot soak, mix warm water with Epsom salts and a few drops of peppermint oil. You’ll feel the stress melt away in no time!

Step 5: Disconnect and Stay Present

For your wellness retreat to truly feel like an escape, limit distractions. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode, avoid social media, and consider turning off notifications. This is your time to recharge, so give yourself permission to be fully present.

Practice mindfulness by engaging your senses in everything you do. Whether you’re enjoying a meal, a bath, or a cup of tea, savor each moment. Remember, this retreat is as much about mental wellness as it is about physical relaxation.

Related Reading: How to do a proper tea ceremony

Step 6: Wrap Up with Reflection

As your retreat comes to an end, take some time to reflect. Grab your journal and write down any insights, feelings, or new intentions that came to light. Think about how you can carry some of this calmness back into your daily life. This could mean incorporating daily meditation, a weekly “spa night,” or simply taking more mindful moments throughout the day.

Affordable Wellness Retreat Essentials Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist of items you might want for your retreat:

• Candles or Essential Oils for ambiance

• Soft Blankets and Pillows for cozy comfort

• Yoga Mat or a comfortable space for stretching

• Face Mask Ingredients like honey, yogurt, and clay

• Bath Supplies like Epsom salts and essential oils

• Journal and Pen for reflection

• Healthy Snacks like fruit, nuts, or herbal teas

Creating a wellness retreat at home can be a wonderfully nurturing experience, and the best part? It’s entirely customizable to your needs.

Bringing the Lessons of the Retreat into Your Daily Life

A wellness retreat at home can be a transformative experience, but the benefits don’t have to end when it’s over. Integrating small wellness practices into your daily routine helps keep the calm, mindfulness, and renewed energy going long after your retreat day.

Here are 15 suggestions to help you bring the lessons of your retreat into everyday life:

1. Morning Meditation: Start each day with just 5-10 minutes of meditation to set a calm, centered tone. Morning rituals are the perfect way to start every day.

2. Gratitude Journaling: Every evening, jot down three things you’re grateful for. It’s a powerful way to end the day on a positive note.

3. Mindful Eating: Slow down and savor your meals without distractions to stay connected with your body and reduce stress.

4. Nature Walks: Try to spend a few minutes outdoors daily, even if it’s just a short walk. Fresh air and a change of scenery work wonders.

5. Breathing Exercises: Practice deep breathing when you feel stressed or overwhelmed to quickly restore calm.

6. Digital Detox Time: Designate screen-free times each day, especially in the morning and evening, to reduce overstimulation. Read: 5 things to do with your hands during a digital detox.

7. Self-Compassion Breaks: Take moments during the day to check in with yourself, show kindness to yourself, and let go of harsh self-criticism.

8. Hydration Reminder: Keep a water bottle by your side as a gentle reminder to stay hydrated. Add a squeeze of lemon or cucumber for a spa-like touch.

9. Mini Stretching Sessions: Schedule brief stretching breaks throughout the day to release tension in your body.

10. Creative Journaling or Art Therapy: Set aside time to express yourself creatively, whether through journaling, drawing, or another art form you enjoy.

11. Weekly Spa Night: Treat yourself to a spa night each week, complete with a face mask, a warm bath, and your favorite soothing music.

12. Intentional Breathers: Schedule a few minutes each afternoon to pause, breathe deeply, and bring yourself back to the present moment.

13. Limit Multi-Tasking: Practice focusing on one task at a time to enhance your productivity and reduce feelings of chaos.

14. Daily Affirmations: Use positive affirmations each morning to set the tone for the day. Simple phrases like “I am calm and capable” can be grounding.

15. Personal Check-Ins: End each week with a quick check-in to see how you’re feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically, and adjust as needed.

Incorporating these simple practices can help you carry the sense of peace and renewal from your retreat into each day, keeping the experience alive and allowing it to support your well-being long-term.

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