Harvesting Herbs on the Homestead: Lemon Balm, Echinacea, Basil & Sage -

A Summer Herb Harvest: Uses & Benefits of Lemon Balm, Echinacea, Basil, and Sage

@freedomforestfarm
I love days like these on the homestead when I have a small harvest but it goes such a long way 🌿 Picked some lemon balm, echinacea, basil, and sage. I use these herbs for tea, cooking, and a few simple home remedies, so I laid them out on my new dehydrator racks to dry slowly. Also sliced up a cucumber for infused water, grabbed some kale from the tunnel that’s somehow still sweet and tender even in this summer heat, and made a kale/cucumber/tomato salad for Pember, our emu. He loves this special treat! Days like this make me appreciate how much we can grow, preserve, and enjoy right here at home! #homesteading #herbalist #teagarden #medicinalherbs #culinaryherbs #gardentotable #organicgardening #selfsufficientliving #slowliving #growyourownfood #foodpreservation
♬ Birds of a Feather Reimagined – Beckah Shae

This morning’s harvest was small but full of flavor, fragrance, and wellness. I gathered fresh lemon balm, echinacea, basil, and sage—four herbs I rely on for everything from soothing teas to nourishing meals. After picking, I spread them out on my new dehydrator racks so they can dry slowly and keep their color and potency.

While I was out in the garden, I also picked a cucumber that I sliced for refreshing infused water, grabbed some kale from the tunnel (still sweet and tender despite the summer heat!), and made a kale, cucumber and tomato salad for Pember—our emu who never says no to garden treats.

Days like this remind me just how much we can grow, preserve, and enjoy right here at home.

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The Herbs & How I Use Them

Lemon Balm

Flavor & Aroma: Fresh, citrusy scent with a hint of mint.
Culinary Uses: Makes a bright, uplifting tea—especially good iced in summer. Can also be chopped into fruit salads or baked goods.
Wellness Benefits: Traditionally used to ease stress, support digestion, and promote restful sleep. I like pairing it with chamomile for an evening tea.

Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)

Flavor & Aroma: Mildly floral with a hint of earthiness.
Culinary Uses: Usually brewed into tea or made into tinctures rather than eaten fresh.
Wellness Benefits: Famous for supporting the immune system—especially during cold season. I dry the petals and leaves, and sometimes make a simple glycerite for winter use.

Basil (varieties I’m growing this year: Lemon Basil, Dark Opal, and Cinnamon)

Flavor & Aroma: These varieties have a rich, warm scent. The lemon basil has a soft, citrus scent. The Dark Opal Basil has almost a licorice scent, and the Cinnamon Basal smells like, you guessed it – cinnamon!
Culinary Uses: Perfect for pesto, fresh salads, pasta dishes, and tomato-based recipes. Fresh basil with mozzarella and tomatoes is a summer staple here. I also dry basil to use in herbal teas!
Wellness Benefits: Contains antioxidants and may help support healthy digestion. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Sage

Flavor & Aroma: Earthy, savory, slightly peppery.
Culinary Uses: Delicious with roasted meats, root vegetables, or in homemade stuffing. Fresh sage leaves can be crisped in butter for a quick pasta topper.
Wellness Benefits: Traditionally used for sore throats, coughs, and digestive discomfort. I also dry it for smudging and natural cleaning blends.

Preserving the Harvest

Drying herbs slowly (I did not turn on the dehydrator, I just used the racks) helps preserve both flavor and medicinal compounds. My new dehydrator racks allow for great airflow, so the leaves stay vibrant green instead of turning brown. Once dry, I store them in glass jars away from sunlight—labeled, of course, so I can quickly find what I need when blending tea or seasoning dinner.

A harvest doesn’t have to be big to be valuable. Sometimes a basket of herbs, a handful of greens, and a few ripe tomatoes is enough to feed both body and soul. What have you harvested lately? Chat with me in the comments below!