I was looking for uses for BeeBalm since I have a ton of these flowers around my yard I found this article at
https://altnature.com/index.html
Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot,
Herb Uses and Medicinal
Properties
Bee Balm is edible and medicinal, the entire
plant above ground is edible used as a pot
herb, and it is
also used as a flavoring in
cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive
edible garnish in salads. The plant is noted
for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of
thyme. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed
into a refreshing aromatic and medicinal tea.
An infusion of young Bee Balm leaves used
to form a common beverage in many parts of the
United States.
Monarda didyma, (red) (purple)
Monarda fistulosa, (pink)
Other Names: Eastern Beebalm, Bergamot,
Wild Oswego Tea, Horsemint, Monarda
Bee Balm leaves and flowers and stems are used
in alternative medicine as an antiseptic,
carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and
stimulant. An infusion is medicinal used
internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh,
headaches, and gastric disorders, to reduce low
fevers and soothe sore throat, to relieve
flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain, and
insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be
used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh
(inflammation of the mucus membrane, causing an
increased flow of mucus). Externally, it is a
medicinal application for skin eruptions and
infections. Bergamot’s distinctive aroma,
found in both the leaf and flower is wonderful
for use in potpourri. While a fragrant herb in
its own right, Wild Bergamot is not the source
of the commonly used
Bergamot Essential oil.
Habitat and Description
Bee Balm is a perennial herb native to Eastern
North America. It grows in dry thickets,
clearings and woodland edges from Ontario and
British Columbia to Georgia and Mexico. Bee
Balm has showy, red, pink, or lilac flowers in
large heads or whorls of about 20-50 flowers at
the top of the branching stem, supported by
leafy bracts, the leaflets are a pale-green
color. The stem of Bee Balm is square, grooved
and hard; and about 3 feet high. The leaves
occur in opposite pairs, are rough on both
surfaces, are distinctly toothed, and
lance-shaped. Fine dense hairs cover much of
the stem and leaves. Bee Balm roots are short,
slender, creeping rhizomes.
How to Grow Bee Balm
Bee Balm is easily grown in ordinary garden
soil. It also grows well in heavy clay soils,
requires a part shade to sunny place to grow.
This species thrives when grown in a dry soil
and prefers alkaline soil conditions. Bee Balm
is best started from plants which spread like
crazy, but will grow from seed as well.
Unfortunately, it often gets spotted with a
mold like affliction.
How to Harvest and Use Bee Balm
Wild Bergamot flowers bloom from June to July.
Gather edible leaves and flowers in bloom, dry
on small bundles in paper bags in a dry, well
ventilated area. Bee Balm can be used as tea,
or as an aromatic suitable for sachets and
potpourri.
(Bee Balm Photos by
Karen Bergeron Copyright
2006- 2015. Permission required to use herb
pictures from this site. )
Herbal Tea Recipe
"Medicinal" tea: To 1 tsp. dried
herb, add 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 min.
sweeten to taste, take at bedtime.
Folklore and History
The red variety is commonly known as Oswego
Tea. It was used by colonists in place of
English Tea after the Boston Tea Party, when
they threw the English tea in the harbor to
protest the high taxes imposed on it by the
British. Read More about
Oswego Tea
Bee Balm was used as a medicinal plant
extensively by Native Americans who recognized
four varieties that had different odors. Wild
Bergamot was used also as an active diaphoretic
(sweat inducer) for ceremonial sweat lodges. A
decoction of the herb was made into hair
pomade.
Bee Balm Links
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) By
Monica Resinger
Bee Balm Garden Guide
Article by Deb Jackson & Karen
BergeronCopyright 1999 - 2007