Lemon balm is one of my most favourite of all herbs. I grow as much of it as I can and use it all!! I make tea and tincture and glycerine and more… Stay tuned for 'Carmelite Elixir'
There are many chapters to be written about Melissa ~ for info re benefits, visit this post ---> here.
Harvest time and here's a little project for any of you who find yourself wondering what to do with this very special plant medicine!
The French call it 'eau des Carmes', the German version is 'Karmelitergeist'. It's a tasty concoction, distilled from spirits, lemon balm and certain spices, reputed to have been created many years ago by sisters of the Carmelite order. Whatever the name, it's a wonderful healing elixir ~ for digestive system, respiratory system, plus immune system and nervous system support.
Here's an idea for a DIY version!
Carmelite Elixir
Ingredients
- 1 liter 1 quart vodka
- 40 fresh lemon balm twigs or 100 g 4 oz dried lemon balm
- 1 lemon organic
- 1 tablespoon dried angelica root
- 2 tablespoons coriander seed
- 6 cloves
- 1 stick cinnamon small
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg powdered or 1 nutmeg, grated
Instructions
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Take the leaf off your lemon balm twigs.
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Wash and slice the lemon.
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Pour lemon balm and alcohol into a glass jar and close the lid.
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Leave for 8 hours, strain.
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Add the spices to your strained tincture and leave for 2-4 weeks. Strain through a coffee filter.
Recipe Notes
Bottle and label: "Carmelite Elixir + month + year".
Take 15-30 drops as needed in hot water for respiratory tract infections or the beginnings of the flu.
Or use it like you would lemon balm: for anxiety, sleeplessness, for tension headaches, for palpitations, for an upset tummy, indigestion, or for minor menstrual cramps.
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NOW is the time to start making these remedies to have on - hand when needed.
I realize that this may seem like an adult remedy -- but taken in warm or hot water, the alcohol content is very diluted. We do need to look after the moms and dads of this world too!!
Sending good wishes for your great health!
Carol
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
This sounds wonderful Carol! I love the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in there. I'm growing lemon balm now because of one of your posts :) Such a wonderful herb.
Raia Todd
This sounds like a wonderful aid to have on hand, Carol! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Melissa
I will be trying this once I'm done nursing Carol! Thank you!
linda spiker
Interesting! I never knew how an elixir was made.
Denita
The link to the recipe is gone....help?
Carol Little
Thanks so much Denita. It's fixed now. sure do appreciate you letting me know!
Posted it again on fB. It's a super recipe!!
Alice
I'm new to your email list and am enjoying reading many of your recipes. I have a question about the lemon balm elixir--is there a substitute for the alcohol that could be used in this recipe? I'm a recovering alcoholic (30 years sober!) and cannot have any alcohol at all, no matter how diluted. Thank you, in advance!
carollittle
Hi there Alice.
This is definitely a 'cordial' recipe of sorts and alcohol is part of it. I have so many other recipes here that do not use alcohol. If you want to play with Lemon Balm, you can make a wonderful tea, especially if you have fresh 'Melissa' on hand.
Thanks for writing Alice.
Carole
Thank you for posting this recipe. I am working on it now. I was a little confused about the lemon and nutmeg. In your photo it looks like you distilled the leaves, and are putting the lemon and nutmeg in with the rest of the ingredients, but your written directions indicated that you would put them in the first distillation with the leaves. Can you clarify?
It was great to have this recipe right when I'm harvesting my lemon balm. I froze the rest in ice cubes.
carollittle
HI Carole ~ I have changed the recipe to read more clearly. I sincerely appreciate your comment, and thanks to you.. it will be much easier for everyone else to make! Please let me know how it turns out! Good wishes, Carol
Carole
Finished making my Carmelite Elixir--the only Angelica root I could find was ground in capsules, so the finished product had a bit of the sediment since I didn't use a coffee filter. I'm making a hot toddy with it for a fever blister, and it tastes good. Thank you for posting the recipe and clarification.
carollittle
Carole, so glad to hear that you are enjoying this elixir. Please let us know how you are enjoying it.