Making Lemon Balm Syrup and Sowing Willy Nilly | VLOG | Roots and Refuge Farm

Learn to make this simple lemon balm syrup for a great calming sweetener (we call it honey medicine), a soothing before-bedtime herbal medicine, or even to use in cooking.
For the step-by-step instructions, plus a printable recipe, visit the BLOG: rootsandrefuge.com/simple-lem...
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[@jenninemclaughlin3522]

I just love watching this old video with little Ben. He's so cute!

[@amandadavis4800]

My 8 year old just heard me watching this newest video and goes “wait is that Roots and Refuge?” I told him yes, and he exclaimed, WAIT FOR ME! I love that he loves watching with me❤️

[@revonda5204]

So lovely to see 3 babies! Jess, To🤩by & Ben! 😊 Watching this episode takes me back to the early years of watching & falling in love with R&R. Makes me soooo happy! ❤😍🤗

[@alexandrashier5216]

"sometimes mama just needs the grass pruned" got me laughing so hard hahaha that's awesome 😂

[@patjones5723]

Me too...LOL

[@catherineanderson3393]

Me too - I laughed - OMG - she needs to make a shirt that says that!

[@nomparfait]

Yeah, my uncle used to pay me whatever coins he had in his pocket to cut up old newspaper into little pieces to take home, said he was making a new mattress, very important work!! 😆

[@alexandrashier5216]

@@nomparfait that's another idea 🤣 lol! I've got a kitchen worm compost bin that I need shredded newspaper for anyways hahaha 😂

[@Kaitlyn_B97]

That was the BALM!!!

[@liamabean3532]

you should do more about using herbs, this was great :-)

[@sandispyres4704]

Yes more herbal medicine idess

[@ancestraltwine9123]

AGGREE But I’m fairly new here so maybe you did? I really want to start utilizing all of my herbs for more then my salad and drinks :)

[@amandahakes2226]

Yes please!!!!

[@nursecheri62]

I agree as well!

[@redheadwitharake8569]

Agreed!

[@CosmopolitanCornbread]

Quick tip about excess lemon balm - I snip off twigs of it and scatter it over the floor of my chicken coop every week or so. It helps reduce the FLY population in there!

[@rebeccaofpollywogflatts8976]

I'm going to try this. thanks

[@nolenevergottini]

Me too 😁 thanks 🌼

[@lilolmecj]

Nice hint, I will try that.

[@Oregonmac]

Little Ben is going to be a Master Gardner by the time he hits double digits 💕.

[@Jo_mommah]

Funny Jess uploaded a video today talking about them pruning the grass and how he is now able, at 5, to prune tomatoes properly!! Ahaha.

[@tonyawiley9575]

FYI: Be sure to let the lemon balm tea cool a bit before adding to the honey (down to at least 95 degrees). Otherwise the high temp will destroy the beneficial enzymes in the honey.

[@ancestraltwine9123]

Great info TY

[@cherylpennington1742]

Be still my heart, I absolutely love this little boy Ben, he is such a sweetheart and has a love for gardening. What I wouldn’t give to have a little partner in crime by my side in my garden.

[@jaggirl]

Its certainly a wonderful thing. A little gardening buddy..💜

[@denniskellrr2410]

You and me both. 😇😇 My son Lance was a cute little fella like him. He was my best gardening partner ever. I miss him so much💔❤💜❤💗❤

[@markaveravlogs]

Pruning grass. I’m dead😂😂

[@Diana_the_green_dragon]

dry the mint and give it as Christmas presents to friends. awesome tea and good for tummies.

[@karenokeane6461]

THANKS for the tip...:)

[@FarmerJayne]

Oh my goodness! Baby Ben! My heart! Time just goes bye! Have I been following you that long already? Thank you for being here.

[@highmountainmama8020]

That “honey medicine” sounds like it would be a good simple syrup for homemade lemonade or a summer cocktail. 😁❤️ Thanks for sharing!

[@jenniferr2057]

With gin..... I'm thinking...

[@babyallieo]

I know this was posted 2 years ago but I love that Ben loves the garden. I just had my first baby and I take him out to the garden with me every day since he was a few weeks old. He is 5 months now and he loves to feel the plants and look at the fruit growing and the leaves. Sometimes the only thing I can do to stop him crying is to take him to the garden to look around. It makes my mom gardener heart so happy

[@eleanorkerby]

mistakes I made was letting my kids drink a soothing drink before bed without making them brush after so if anyone uses honey lemon balm drink, that honey will rot teeth if not brushed off...i grow lemon balm and made tea with it but it just makes me happy to pull off a leaf and rub between my fingers and breath it in from my fingers.

[@rondacorkhill1654]

Ben's going to be another "Baker Creek" type founder.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

I pray for that for him!

[@memekosan]

I felt a sudden relief when you said the lemon balm smelled like lemon heads. I grow lemon balm and I always say it smells like that. And my family just doesnt smell it. I thought i was going crazy hahaha ❤

[@DeDe-ht4fj]

Aww Ben the Gardener! That’s the perfect way to make sure they are ACTUALLY sown Willy nilly! This is so exciting!

[@henryshunni5935]

LOL..."grass pruning is the equivalent of snipe hunting". A friend and I took my daughter snipe hunting when she was about 8; that was 14 years ago, and absolutely hysterical . Thanks for bringing back that memory!!

[@CosmopolitanCornbread]

Yes, REAL food IS medicine. I can't tell you how much simply changing the way I ate and fed my family years ago effected us for the positive.

[@leighannlong4789]

We are vegan so no honey, but we do cook apple juice down until it is super thick, to use as a sub. it would probably work great for the "honey medicine" for infants who should not have honey!

[@RockStarVee]

I would also recommend yacon syrup!

[@Iris_van_Vulpen]

You can make a substitute using dendelions.

[@pattigsbh4392]

With anxiety and ADHD in our family we have learned to use lemon balm. Another name for it in EO and Natural medicine is Melissa, Which is expensive. I was happy to discover the highly productive plant to help us. Thanks for sharing as always, love and prayers ❤

[@kathyking2515]

Does it actually work?

[@36lisha]

Thank you for sharing this. My son has adhd and reading that it works for you is making me hopeful. 💗

[@lilolmecj]

@@kathyking2515 it is cal in I can’t say for managing ADHD. It grows very prolifically.

[@GR-bo5zt]

I would love an update on how people are using it to treat a variety of anxiety issues. Made my first batch. 🤞🏻

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

Thanks for the recipe. My overgrown lemon balm hedge will be no more tomorrow. Please use honey only cold. Most of the healthy benefits are lost if heated. Let the lemon balm water cool before you mix it with the honey to preserve the medicinal properties of the honey. A spoon of honey in your HOT tea sweetens it, but does not make it a lot healthier, but adds a lot more calories.

[@marinar3772]

He made me so happy sowing those basil seeds. I had my son (5yr) this morning sniff some basil and I asked what it smells like, he said “pesto!” (his fav). 💚 He is so excited for his basil that is growing.

[@yocart8818]

Nasturtiums are delicious chopped thinly into potato salad and tuna salad sandwiches or even in guacamole !!

[@jaggirl]

Hmm, what a great idea.

[@sunflowervalleyhomestead1098]

My mom puts them in chicken salad to make what my siblings call “adult chicken salad” for the spice :)

[@rosedowning6466]

Putting lemon balm on my list of herbs to grow in my new place. It's getting closer. I can feel it.

[@johoney5458]

brought a smile to my face. thank you. your excitement is bubbling out. good luck and many blessings for you.

[@ritadonovan6606]

I love how you let your children especially your youngest to do his own sowing of seeds all by themselves. That’s a great mom. 👍🇨🇦

[@debraschwicht9741]

Watching this in May 2024. SO fun to see LITTLE Ben and LITTLE Toby!! They’re growing up so nicely! They’re so blessed to have such wonderful parents!

[@bridgestew]

Me too. Ben's garden-dirty face is so adorable. He and Toby are so big now. It's crazy!

[@judithtucker6928]

Grass pruning is the equivalent of snipe hunting! 😂😂😂😂😂 That’s hilarious and I love it! You go mom! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻

[@isabelladavis1363]

This amazing plant has become one of the favorites in our family the smell the taste the benefits are a win win all around healing at out fingertips in our own gardens…God is so good…stay blessed…

[@ronnielee3162]

Ben is a star 💫🌟 in these videos with you. I love that you include your little ones into you real life footage. So many people think that children take away from the content but I love your parenting style and that little boys smile always makes my day! p.s. Lemon balm doesn't get enough credit so thank you!

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thank you!

[@GrandmaSandy]

I love see Master Gardener Ben in the garden.

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

Reckless beauty through plants is a delightful joyous worship as it brings smiles to faces and uplifts hearts! I have wanted to make wildflower seed bombs and scatter them through a town or along a country road where it will not interfere with what others are growing!

[@jessiebeltran5928]

Zavia Hope Thomas - Wounded Soul Refuge - Wow! That same idea has occurred to me more than once. Especially when you drive along a beautiful blank canvas of grass.

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

@@jessiebeltran5928 I keep thinking how nice a steep bank that has nothing but weeds on it and no one could climb it without injury would be a great place.

[@jefbowles7745]

Hi wanted to share this since mid summer is coming Echinacea like you get at dollar general in capsule form you open capsules and add a little water to make a paste it makes mosquito bits stop since you have kids it will stop itching and the burning sensation and of course for tooth ache when you can't get to dentist right away love your knowledge wanted to share mine bless be 🎃

[@yesenialucatero2638]

Thank you for the lemon balm Recipie! God bless you and your beautiful family🙋🏻‍♀️

[@tammimccoy8233]

Heading to go get lemon 🍋 🍋 balm seeds....so I can be RECKLESS TOO!! I love that you did that...you are using all available space to grow wonderful food. Plus, you taught~~at least for me~~ a new plant to grow~~ never heard of lemon balm.....so thank you. I love your channel~~wishing you and the family continued success & blessing.

[@sajmt1414]

Thanks. I just bought some and had no idea how to use it. Thank you. Please continue to share how you use the herbs and vegetables y'all grow.

[@tracycollins5272]

God has blessed me with your videos. Thank you for all of your hard work.

[@dianepettis8438]

I made Fire Cider for the first time last summer. There was a terrible flu bug going around but I kept drinking my shots and I fought that bug hard. Going to try lemon honey. Thank you for all you do!

[@weloverescuedogs2820]

Diane Pettis What is ‘Fire Cider’ made with? We do “Grandma’s Mexican Tea” for colds and flu. My husband’s grandma used to make this when anyone was sick and my MIL passed the recipe onto me. It works wonders, doesn’t taste the best, but it really helps nip an illness back. Take a small palmful of dried oregano, 1/4 of an onion and 2-3 cloves of garlic, depending on how large they are. Put into a medium saucepan with about a quart of water, sometimes a quart and a half if I’ve made a little bigger batch. Let simmer about 10-15 min and cool a bit in the pan. Strain into a pitcher. Pour into a mug and stir in a liberal amount of raw local honey. The leftover tea I just leave on the counter and we heat a cup of it as needed when we’re catching a little bug. This recipe really helps. I would love your Fire Cider recipe!

[@dianepettis8438]

ShawnaLee I am so sorry! I just saw this! My recipe comes from you tuber roots and refuge farm! Love my recipe and this family.

[@patriciagleason3872]

I love how you use the honey medicine as a treat at bed time for kids who need help to go to bed. My mom use to use her favorite cookie as a "magic" cookie that "helped" her grandchildren go to sleep when they visited.

[@JanaEllena]

You could do a mint-sirup :) we love that as a cooling lemonade in Summer ♡

[@dianavillegas8094]

That little boy is the cutest!

[@gardenvarietyvegan4096]

I’m drinking a tummy tea right now! Fresh ginger, good squeeze of lemon with a spoonful of honey. So comforting at the end of the day. I want to grow lemon balm next summer. Thank you for sharing your gardens and recipes. 🌸🌸🌸

[@TamaraMansfieldzumba]

Great job!! Herbalists call lemon balm the happy herb 😊 it’s such a delicious diverse herb! I’m sure that your syrup will last a while with that much honey in it. The honey keeps it stable. Thank you for sharing!! ❤️🌱🌿🍃

[@melissadoughuntley3619]

How long do you suppose?

[@lucyo4124]

What a sweet sweet boy Master Ben is! LOL And his buddy!! Thank you for this...I was feeling kind of down and decided to listen to this before bed and you always make me laugh, Jess..."Mama need's a prune the grass kinda day!" haha I'm so looking forward to your Garden Of Abandon!!! lol Hugs, Kiddo...you rock!!

[@lorismith2484]

I love watching your old videos when you're in Arkansas because we live in Missouri!

[@LabMom-sg8ii]

"Sometimes mama just needs the grass pruned" I see a new t-shirt possibilities!! LOL With a pic of a pair of pruners with grass flying!!

[@lux3226]

I know this is an older video, but I just now got around to watching it, and loved it! The whole time, I was thinking - you could freeze excess honey medicine in ice cube trays, and keep the cubes in a baggy in the freezer - would stay good for AGES, as well as all through winter. Make a cup of tea, pop a cube in there to sweeten it and cool it down a bit to make it drinkable - awesome! Yuo could even steep a whole knob of ginger with the leaves to infuse that ginger goodness into the mix as well. I will have to do this with my next big harvest of lemon balm - I was struggling to figure out what to do with excess mints. I'm Korean, so we do have citron teas, which is similar in concept to this - excess citrus (peel and all) + sugar + time makes for a nice syrupy sweet spoonful to add to hot water for a quick citron tea.

[@sallyburkett1676]

Your going to have stuff popping up in the walkways they way Ben was pouring them into his hands! So funny!

[@CanadianFarmGirl1]

Hahaha I have sunflowers, carrots and kale growing between the bricks in my path because of my 4 year old lol we just step around them.

[@brandio1044]

There are SO many things I am growing because of you! This is one of them. I can't wait to try this.

[@johannagunning2921]

Thanks for the laugh!!!! It's been a long time since snipe hunting was part of our summer nights. Such great memories with neighbors and the kids all snipe hunting then taking a nighttime swim!!!

[@emilylong9887]

Just used my last 1/2 cup of dried lemon balm to make a half batch of this “honey medicine” so good and looking forward to getting the medicinal benefits. Also stealing “pruning the grass” I can see my 3 yo being great at that. Currently he has his own pot of dirt to play in with a small shovel and rake.

[@samanthawoodman2428]

That was a great quote! "Sometimes Momma just needs the grass pruned."🤣

[@tfrank1326]

I so love watching little Ben working with you in the garden. So sweet. I just wanted to share my thought on Lemon Balm. I noticed when I open a jar of Lemon Balm that I've dried and stored, the scent makes me think of Fruity Pebbles. I don't know why. I haven't eaten those in probably close to 40 years! LOL

[@Dee-MuckGirlGardener]

Sitting here watching old videos, Ben then and now! I see a 27acre farm in his future. He’ll definitely maintain and expand your SC homestead in the future.

[@kflan3342]

big sprigs of dried peppermint would be nice in the chicken coop. I take gallon jars and pack with lemon balm and cover with white vinegar. Wonderful cleaning vinegar. Also make lemon balm tincture. Great for fever blisters.

[@aprilanonymous7237]

I've heard of using it for fever blisters but never tried it. Could you elaborate on it?

[@kflan3342]

At first sign of outbreak- 2-3 ml 3 X's daily. You can put in water or place in gelatin capsule and swallow. You can also apply topically with clean Q-tip. Disclaimer: Not a doctor and am not giving medical advise. I am saying what I do!

[@sandybush1661]

Grass pruning - that's hilarious!

[@wisewomanhealing]

Hey now, a go pro attached to kitten George's collar might be cool.

[@yolandasgrow1311]

George got hit by a car!

[@mayhmmaydn]

Sweet Ben is such a delight!

[@jolyndaj]

loveLoveLOVE...💕 I love that you are teaching as you plant. He is just adorable....!!! You are an awesome gardener. Thank you for the recipe...:)

[@demrilewis5757]

You and your family are adorable and I love you

[@CrystalA777]

Wow ok you sold me on growing lemon balm. Thanks for the recipe will be giving this a try soon.

[@kevindecoteau3186]

Planted some lemon balm in a container a while ago, it is sprouting now look forward to harvesting some!

[@Honey-_bee]

I just want to give a bunch of hearts when Bens working in the garden!!! 🥰 thanks for the recipe on honey medicine!!

[@DownhomeDana]

This is so fun to watch Benjamin here after seeing the current videos and seeing what a little gardener he has always been , what a cutie!!

[@arosesthorn8978]

YES! I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS RECIPE

[@1973moondragon]

A good gift for the kids that love the garden a lot is kids garden tool kits.

[@theradurbanhomestead7756]

Ooohh, lemon balm honey! I love it!

[@kstewart3901]

Love the grass pruning! :)

[@jaggirl]

The gardens are looking fabulous... Cute little boy too..👍💜 What a great idea Honey Medicine. You're certainly a clever gal.. I actually didn't know that children under 1 can't have honey. Well, there you go. You really do learn something new everyday..☺

[@carolynsuhor354]

All honey contains botulinum. Little bodies can't fight off that. ❤ 🐝 🍯

[@blaqfish]

I thought I was the only one that had a memory of snipe hunting...😏 That pruning will help a mother for a few good years...smile. Thanks for sharing!

[@josiewebb4897]

So fabulous that he’s learning gardening at this young age. His mind is like a sponge soaking up all this wonderful knowledge. Hands on is a great experience. I enjoy seeing his joy in planting. So precious.

[@sunflowervalleyhomestead1098]

I just love seeing how excited Ben is for the garden. My 3 year old is the same way. He’s always begging to go to the garden.

[@laurakauffman1205]

I have done daycare for 47 years baby and boy do I know, "Sometimes mama just needs the grass pruned..." !!!!! LOL

[@Homegrown421]

Awh adorable.

[@leahwhite8619]

I have learned so many valuable lessons while watching your channel. Best tip yet: PRUNING THE GRASS! This Mamma understands! ❤️

[@Thankful_.]

Grass pruning! Jess, this is precious!

[@aprilcarmen2492]

I can't wait to teach my grandbabies to garden.

[@ritahopkins7213]

I love watching Ben in the Garden with you. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He's so smart and I love how he loves being in the garden with you. So precious 😇

[@thepickincoopfarmstead]

He is so sweet ❤

[@shirleytruett7319]

The little guy is so adorable he makes me think of my great grand son David he loves planting seeds and watching things grow he's my little helper, thank you Jesse for letting us see this it was such a blessing to see his sweet little face ❤️🙏

[@Irene-ke6to]

I'm so glad I found this video. I have a thriving mound of lemon balm and never could find a use for it that we could really use! This we can use!!!!! THANKS

[@conniecarson8842]

Your son Ben is so cute! Pruning grass will be remembered forever. Thank you for sharing the lemon balm info I hope you do the same with some of the other herbs that you grow. Very informative. Take care and God Bless.

[@katemcpherson3492]

Connie Carson I can’t wait till she tells him to use elbow grease and sends him looking for it :)

[@toykawilliams3273]

Jess!!! YOU my dear are a rockstar mom!!!

[@gr0821]

Ben is the cutest farm boy may God continue to bless you ,your family and your garden always. Love you jess keep it up!!!!

[@fatjuniesfarmette6030]

Your orange roses are the bomb. I have an idea for you... Don't move those, but maybe add a blue/purple clematis. That would get the trellis covered & give you blooms between flushes of roses.

[@jellyroll2102]

This video is just what I needed! I've got some lemon balm that's getting really leggy and I was thinking it needed to be cut back, but wasn't sure what to do with it. This is just the ticket! Thanks so much for these and all your other excellent tips! xoxox

[@candysadler1866]

What a precious helper!

[@sowmanyseedlings]

Little Ben is so precious! I LOVE this video! Cant wait to see the sprouting madness!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@adventuresattheretreat]

Ben’s shirt “I put the Zing in Amazing”. My 5 year old has the same shirt. He’s such a sweet kid. He played swords with me at the seed festival 😁😂

[@PleasantPrickles]

What a wonderful helper you had! Looking forward to seeing what sprouts! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

[@Crawkid]

You may not know if its exciting or terrifying, but you LOOK like you're having a blast! XD My best wishes to little Ben, that he soon learns how to grow as many edibles (especially peas) as he wants. :)

[@melissalowry5147]

Ben is about the cutest little gardener ive ever seen!❤ i knew he was gonna say basil too lol he is always hitting up the basil or being a lil dinosaur to the kale. My youngin is learning but its a slow game lol he loves to help out but he hasnt gotten the hang of how not to pull out the plants and just pull the weeds😂 but thanks to you Jess i have plenty of 'sucker' tomato plants for back up simce learning how to save them in your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge❤❤ Bless you 🙏

[@ForgottenWayFarms]

I can’t believe how big your tomatoes are already getting!!! ❤️

[@arosesthorn8978]

12:20 I love that you added that in Jess

[@freeasabird5187]

He is so cute❤️

[@margierousu468]

Oh little Ben couldn't get any sweeter!💜 Thank you for sharing the recipe...😊

[@EskimoInAlaska]

Wow thank you 💞

[@insidekateskitchen]

Jess, I'm so impressed at how you are able to get the children involved in the garden.

[@oostys8118]

Hahaha, you are such a hoot chicky👍🤗😂. Bless you be..