Bee Balm is an Important Seed to Plant©

Bee Balm is an Important Seed to Plant©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Bee balm, 

also called monarda, is a perennial flowering herb (up to 4 ft.) with a long history as a medicinal and as a plant. American colonists used it to make tea, and Native Americans used it to treat colds and sore throats.

It has a pleasing scent that is used to make potpourri and sachets. The flowers are edible and sometimes added to summer salads.  It is not only beautiful, but makes superb tea.

Many of us do not realize it is famous for its beauty and its fragrance, Bee Balm, also know as Wild Bergamot, is an old flower garden favorite.

At Home Farm Herbery Bee Balm

 is one of the best attractors of beneficial butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.  All in all, Bee Balm is a “must” for any garden. AN IMPORTANT PLANT FOR ANY GARDEN!

Bee Balm needs good air circulation and won’t do well if crowded. Also, if the soil is allowed to dry out, it may develop powdery mildew. Make sure to choose a location that is kept fairly moist to avoid this problem. You should also avoid watering the leaves, making sure to only water the soil. If mildew does appear, cut it back, removing all of the infected stems. It should come back in better health next season.

You can use Bee Balm externally as a calming aromatherapy treatment. Place a handful of fresh leaves in a cheesecloth or piece of linen, tie into a bag, and place under hot water while running a bath; breathe the steam in deeply. This can help sooth cold symptoms, sore throat, fever, and congestion. Bee balm can also be used as an antiseptic and antibacterial by soaking a cloth in the tea and applying as a compress. It can be made into an ointment for use as a pain reliever and to speed the healing of minor wounds, insect bites/stings, eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, and acne.

You can use it internally since like all members of the mint family it is good for improving digestive issues like general digestion, gas, poor appetite, colic, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. It has also been used to lessen menstrual cramps. Oswego tea can be used as a calming agent for the nerves or to relax one in preparation for sleep. It can be used solo or mixed with other herbs like chamomile and valerian.

It repels mosquitoes naturally since Bee balm’s scent is an effective mosquito repellent, but generally works best when its leaves are crushed to release the fragrant oils

You can also use as a soothing skin tonic for itchy, dry, or sunburned skin. To make the tonic, “boil 1 cup of bergamot leaves and flowers in 1 1/2 liters of water for 10 minutes. Cool and strain. Use as a splash or spritz, or add to your bath.

NOTE* Those who have thyroid issues should use caution when ingesting bee balm; also, those who are pregnant should not take it internally. While rubbing the leaves of bee balm can be a repellant for insects – especially mosquitoes – for some people, this may cause sensitivity to the sun, so don’t use undiluted without testing on a small area of the skin. As with any new treatment, check with your healthcare provider before using.

The best thing I like is that it attracts natural predators such as birds, pollinating insects, and predatory insects. Bee balm attracts pollinating insects such as bees, and predatory insects such as beetles, centipedes, spiders, bees, and butterflies, which will eat the herbivorous insects and parasites that eat your plants. Butterflies and hummingbirds also love bee balm.  Hence planting this in your garden will attract many other creatures.

You can make Bee Balm Iced Tea by placing ¼ cup bee balm leaves and flowers in a teapot or glass bowl. Pour one quart of boiling water over them. Cover and steep until cool, about an hour. Strain and discard leaves and flowers. Sweeten as desired. Chill and serve over ice.

May the Creative Force be with you,

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery