5 Best Lemon Balm Teas in 2026: Flavorful and Gentle Herbal Options

Lemon balm tea is a great fit for people looking for a low-key, easy-drinking herbal tea that can slip seamlessly into their busy lives. The lemon balm plant - also known as melissa officinalis - is what gets used to make this balm tea, and it's a perfect choice for those who are after a gentle herbal experience and a caffeine-free drink.

We came across lemon balm tea in a variety of forms in 2026 - including loose leaf, tea bags, organic options and even blends with other herbs like chamomile, lavender, and peppermint. As part of this guide, we looked at the best-sellers, checked out customer reviews, checked the quality of the ingredients, the consistency of the different brands and how easy they were to get hold of. We then picked out the most reliable options from what we'd found.

Lemon balm tea is brewed using the leaves of the lemon balm plant, scientifically known as Melissa officinalis, which belongs to the mint family. It's native to Europe, Asia and North America and has been in use for hundreds and hundreds of years not just in cooking, but also in herbal teas and traditional health practices.

It's the natural oils and compounds that are present in the lemon balm leaf that give it that distinctive bright citrus smell and fresh herbal aroma. When you steep the leaves in hot water, it's the oils and compounds that get released and they create this lovely light, smooth and gentle flavor and aroma - as simple as that, the fresh herb gets turned into a really easy-to-enjoy herbal drink that can really fit in with modern busy lives.

Most of the lemon balm tea that you'll find on the market these days uses either just whole dried leaves or blended herbs that contain lemon balm. Some products also contain lemon balm extract, which is basically just a concentrated form of the plant - and both forms come from the same plant, but they differ in terms of how concentrated they are and how they express the flavor and aroma when you brew them.

Lemon balm tea has a gentle, lemony taste that never really bites - no sharpness or sourness to speak of. The flavor is pretty mild, with a subtle hint of mint and a fresh, outdoorsy feel to it—a characteristic reflective of its heritage within the mint family.

This lemon balm herbal tea has a naturally laid back, lightly sweet taste profile that makes it super easy to sip on without needing to add sugar or honey. When you steep lemon balm in hot water, the whole place is suddenly filled with a lovely citrus and soft green herb aroma - which lots of folks find really pleasant to smell. Given that, it's no surprise that lemon balm blends so well with chamomile, lavender, peppermint and other herbs - the taste is just so pleasant.

Brand Overview: August Uncommon Tea is a California based outfit that's really pushing the boundaries with their bold, innovative blends. They really care about getting the flavor right and spend a lot of time thinking about how their teas are brewed - which is handy if you want to get the best out of your cup.

Flavor & Experience: This caffeine-free blend is all about soothing out the sharp edges - so you get a nice mix of lemongrass, chamomile, fruit and spices all blending together to create a smooth, rounded tea with a nice sweetness and floral notes that aren't at all overpowering because of the lemon balm keeping things in check.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Put about two teaspoons of Nightfall - Rest and Digest Herbal Tea into your cup and let the water do its thing. What happens is that the herbs slowly start to unfurl and release all these amazing aromas - so you get this layered scent of fruit, flowers and lemon balm that drifts on into a silky smooth cup that's perfect for sipping when you need to unwind.

Brand Overview: Plum Deluxe out of Portland started making small batch loose-leaf teas back in 2008. They've kind of flipped the script on traditional tea-making by blending old-school techniques with fresh flavors - and the result is some amazing, one-of-a kind blends that really grab your attention.

Flavor & Experience: This blend really relies on lemon balm to balance out the delicate flavors of chamomile, rose and lavender, giving the tea a subtle herbal taste that sits quietly in the background while all that floral sweetness just takes over. But what's nice is the lemon balm adds just a hint of lemony freshness that keeps the blend from getting overwhelmed and smelling like perfume.

Brewing & Serving Notes: To make a cup of Calm Chamomile Bloom - Rose Lavender, just steep a teaspoon in some freshly boiled water. As you watch the florals and lemon balm unfurl, you're going to get this amazing soft garden-like aroma filling your cup and a smooth, lightly sweet tea that feels like a warm hug in a mug.

Brand Overview: Beach House Tea is a family-owned business in Long Beach, Washington - a place that just happens to be surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Their whole operation is built around making small-batch, artisan loose leaf teas using the highest quality organic and wild-harvested ingredients. They really emphasize getting the best freshness and quality into every single one of their blends.

Flavor & Experience: This blend of lemon balm, peppermint, nettle, licorice root and elderberries results in a super smooth and gentle flavor that's sweet but not overpowering. The lemon balm does a great job of keeping the more robust herbs in check and making the whole thing feel pretty mellow - and balanced.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Scoop a teaspoon of Beach Wellness Support into a cup with hot water - then you just wait for the herbs and lemon balm to start coming together and giving off a lovely warm, slightly sweet aroma. After that the cup should settle into this smooth and steady groove that just feels really nice to drink.

Brand overview: Culinary Teas is a family owned business that's been making really tasty, high quality loose leaf and specialty teas for years now. They genuinely believe that tea has this amazing power to bring people together - which in turn makes every cup you share with someone a little bit special.

Flavor & Experience: With this tea you're getting pure lemon balm - with no other herbs to confuse the issue. That results in a taste that feels clean, with just a hint of citrus and a very soft, slightly green note that really lets you know it's got natural oils and a gentle herbal touch to it.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Use one to two teaspoons of Organic Lemon Balm with some hot water - just the way the dried leaves slowly start to give off that lovely lemony scent and smooth out into a clear, easy to drink cup that doesn't weigh heavily on the palate.

Flavor & Experience:  This calming blend uses lemon balm as one of several supporting herbs, where it gently softens the floral notes of chamomile and lavender. Rooibos adds warmth and body, while lemon myrtle brings a light citrus lift. Together, the ingredients create a smooth, aromatic cup that feels comforting, balanced, and quietly relaxing.

Brewing & Serving Notes:  Add a teaspoon of Beach Wellness Restore to hot water, where the rooibos and herbs slowly release warm, floral aromas that blend with lemon balm’s soft citrus tone, forming a rounded, silky cup that feels gentle on the palate and soothing when enjoyed during quiet moments.

Most people have taken to drinking it just because it tastes nice and goes easy on the stomach - rather than using it to try and fix any health problems. A lot of people find that drinking lemon balm tea is a nice way to wind down in the evenings, which is why it keeps showing up in traditional herbal remedies.

This is probably why lemon balm remains a firm favorite in the world of herbal remedies - not least because the tea itself is so gentle on the system. And because it's completely caffeine free, people can drink it in the evening without worrying about having a bad night's sleep.

Some folks might use lemon balm tea to try and sort out their digestion or lose a bit of weight, but the truth is it's not going to do much for belly fat or digestive problems directly. What it is good at is being a nice, soothing drink that you can just fit in with your usual healthy routine - so long as you drink it regularly and as part of a balanced lifestyle.

• Use hot water just below boiling (around 190°F or 88°C) to preserve the delicate essential oils and ensure a smooth, refreshing taste.
• For tea bags, steep for 5 to 7 minutes to fully extract the natural citrus aroma and calming properties without bitterness.
• For loose-leaf lemon balm tea, use 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup and steep for 7 to 10 minutes to release full flavor and therapeutic compounds.
• Choose reputable lemon balm tea brands that provide clear brewing instructions to ensure consistent quality and flavor in every cup.

When it comes to the top lemon balm tea in 2026, it really comes down to good quality stuff that tastes good and doesn't make you feel like you're drinking something unpleasant. Lemon balm is pretty versatile - whether you like it straight up or blended with other herbs, it's a great all-round herb that fits right in with a modern lifestyle.

Drinking lemon balm tea can be a nice little evening ritual - especially if you're someone who's looking for a calming, caffeine-free drink before bed. With all the great options out there - whether that's an organic lemon balm tea or a really thoughtfully put together blend, there's bound to be something out there that's just your cup of tea.

Head on over to Taste of Tea to see what catches your eye - and if you're feeling adventurous, why not give it a go? Shop now and enjoy your next cup today.