Lemon Balm & Vana Tulsi

Lemon balm is a soft-leaved mint that bees love. Its genus name, Melissa, is Greek for honeybee. Old herbals called it the gladdening herb. It's a gentle nervine, traditionally used to ease anxiety, lift a low mood, and help a busy mind settle into sleep. It's also carminative. It relaxes a nervous stomach and eases the flutter that stress leaves in the chest. Its oils are mildly antiviral.

Vana tulsi is the wild forest basil of India. Rub a leaf and it smells of clove and lemon. Tulsi is sacred in Ayurveda and grown in courtyards as a household protector. It's an adaptogen, traditionally used to help the body meet stress without burning through its reserves. It supports clear breathing, steady energy, and healthy blood sugar. Its aromatic oils are antimicrobial and warming. Lemon balm softens, and tulsi steadies.

Try a heaping tablespoon in 8 oz of water just off the boil. Cover it so the oils stay in the cup. Steep 7–10 minutes. Stir in a little honey if you like. Drink it in the afternoon to come down without crashing, or in the evening to close out the day.