Our friends at Root & Nourish were kind enough to share this refreshing recipe with us! Don’t forget to follow them at the links below for more inspired recipes.

Lemon Balm Lemonade

Prep Time:

5 minutes, serves 8

Ingredients:

8 lemons, halved
½ cup fresh lemon balm, chopped
1 to 2 cups agave nectar, to taste* (see note below)

Lemon balm is best known for its nervine relaxant properties, meaning it provides a supportive feeling of calm and wellbeing. Enjoy it in a cool glass of this lemonade as a balm to the mind and soul.

Instructions:

Use a citrus press to juice the lemons into a 2-quart jug or jar. Set aside the juiced lemon halves.
Add the lemon balm and agave to the lemon juice and stir.
Add 8 cups water and the reserved lemon halves. Mix well.
Pour into glasses over ice and enjoy chilled.

*Adjust the amount of agave nectar based on the sweetness level preferred—1 cup will be very mildly sweetened, whereas cups will make more traditionally sweet lemonade.

Nourishing Herbs: Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)

Delicate and fragrant, lemon balm adds a hint of uplifting citrus scent to food, drinks and even cosmetics. It offers mild sedative and digestive support, with the overall effect of relaxing the nervous system. We think you’ll love this herb, and not only for its heart-shaped leaves; its genus name, Melissa, is the Greek word for “honeybee,” so-called after the bees’ affection for its heavenly aroma.