Lemon balm against lemon verben herbal teas - a comparison

Lemon balm against lemon verben herbal teas - a comparison

Lemon balm and lemon verbena are two herbs with a natural lemon scent. These herbs are notable in that they naturally smell like lemons, although neither is closely related to the lemon plant. This article compares the two herbs, which are very similar to each other, and examines their similarities and differences in flavor, aroma, growth requirements, availability, and other properties.

Similarities between the two herbs:

There are a number of common attributes that both lemon balm and lemon verbena share. Both are naturally caffeine-free and both belong to the Lamiales order, a large group of plants that includes the entire mint family and the verbena or vervain family, as well as many other aromatic plants such as jasmine and sesame. Their taste and aroma are both citrusy and more similar to each other than other lemon herbs or true lemons.

Both herbs have similar medical uses and reflect a chemical composition that is not only similar to each other, but also some other herbs with natural lemon scent such as lemon myrt and lemon grass. These health and medical properties include antimicrobial effects and antioxidant activity.

Differences in taste:

Taste descriptions are somewhat subjective, especially when it comes to subtle distinctions. My personal experience with these two herbs is that the two herbs are most similar in the fresh state and in the dried state. Especially in the dried, but also in the fresh state, lemon verben seems to have a rather "ginger blue" quality. Lemon balm, on the other hand, is more vegetable. Overall, however, they are quite similar, with a gentle taste.

Both herbs dry slightly; However, iron herb has harder leaves.

Differences in growth habits and cultivation:

The growing requirements of lemon balm and lemon verbena overlap somewhat, although their growth habits differ. Lemon balm, which thrives in temperate climates, tolerates partial shade, and is hardy even in fairly cold climates, grows in clumps and does not form perennial woody stems, but rather sprouts from the roots each spring after dying back in the winter. Lemon verbena, on the other hand, is a woody plant or shrub that prefers slightly warmer, sunnier, and drier conditions. The suitable conditions for the growth of the two plants overlap in warmer temperate regions.

Price and availability differences:

Of these two herbs, lemon verbena is the most widely used by tea and bulk herbal companies. Lemon balm is typically only available from major herbal companies and is also less commonly used as an ingredient in commercially blended herbal teas. However, it is more commonly found in garden and nursery centers and tends to be more commonly cultivated (and also more likely to escape cultivation). Therefore, in terms of fresh harvest, it tends to be the more available of the two plants.

In total:

Lemon balm and lemon verbs are two very similar plants, both of which are used to brow caffeine -free citric -free herbal teas. Both are easy to breed, as dry herbs to get relatively difficult, and their taste and growth requirements differ only slightly.