Bergamot is another common name for bee balm, but is misleading. Use fresh or dried leaves in tomato dishes, and as a substitute for sage in stuffing for poultry and meats, especially pork and veal. Bee balm flowers can be fresh-frozen and will keep for two months or more. 2. The name “bee balm” is one of the many common names of the Monarda genus. The Blackfoot recognized the strong antiseptic action of the plants, and used them in poultices for skin infections and minor wounds. Common Name(s): Beebalm; Bee Balm; Bee-balm; Bergamont; Bergamot; Crimson Bee-balm; Horsemint; Oswego Tea; Scarlet Bee Balm Some varieties can be short-lived perennials, almost annuals really, such as 'Bergamo'. Bee balm has its origin in North America. Externally, bee balm is a wonderful aromatherapy herb. In this case, the skin should not be exposed to sunlight after external use of the oil. Hybrids occur in the wild, and they are common in cultivation. My mother is the genius behind Buzzed Bee Balm and all of our products we have. You can stimulate a second flowering in the same year by cutting the flowers right after they bloom. Monarda is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Botanical Name and Family. 2010. Bergarnot is native to North America and was used to make an infusion by the Oswego Indians, hence the name ‘Oswego tea’. Some hybrids have been developed to produce high levels of essential oil for use as flavoring or medicine. We are easy to reach and eager to please: (function(d, s, id) { The resplendent flowers range from pink and mauve to a rich, vibrant red in the case of the most popular ‘Cambridge scarlet’ variety. Ryding, P. O. Bee balm, also known by its botanical name, “Monarda,” is a tall, perennial that’s native to Northern America. Inflorescences occur at the top of the stem or emerge from the axils. Plants growing in partial shade spread horizontally and produce fewer flowers. \"Cambridge Scarlet\" is a popular cultivar with red flowers. DO NOT BOIL THE FLOWERS. Bee balm is a ‘catch all’ term that encompasses several species of flowering herbs from the Monarda genus. Bee balm jelly is essentially just bee balm petal tea with sugar and pectin. wild bergamot. Of the species examined in one study, M. didyma contained the highest concentration of oil.[7]. A tisane made from the plant was also used to treat mouth and throat infections caused by dental caries and gingivitis. Oswego tea was embraced as a beverage by the early American settlers, who after the Boston tea party in 1773, boycotted Indian tea which was traded by the English. It is also good for soothing the digestive tract. Growing to be about 20-29 cm in height, these herbaceous plants produce flowers annually or perennially depending on species. Bee balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to add cheerful color to your garden. To create a mock-Earl Gray tea, steep 2 tablespoons of dried Monarda flowers with a good black tea for 5-7 minutes. Poultices and compresses are used for skin infections or bruises. The plant can be used as a cooking herb. "Labiatae". The flavor of Monarda combines well with tropical fruits like pineapple, mango and orange. They can be used in salads, herb butters, or sprinkled over steamed vegetables. The leaves of Bee Balm are usually a darker shade of green and they are slightly broader than those of Wild Bergamot. One of the most important things to know about bee balm is that they are vigorous plants. In addition to bee balm, Monarda, … A perennial favorite native to North America, bee balm (also called wild bergamot) is beloved in flower beds for its beautiful blooms of red, pink, purple or white—not to mention the fragrant foliage. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); For faster growth, fertilize in the spring with a good all purpose (10-10-10) liquid plant food. Use whole flowers to make attractive floating garnishes in punch bowls of sangria, or use them to decorate the rim of a serving platter. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/61/50414661.js"; Seed collected from hybrids does not yield plants identical to the parent. Deeply breathing in the steam may also help relieve cold symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and congestion. Last week, with the help of the community, “Bee Balm” was named the county’s official pollinator plant. Native Americans and later settlers also used it to alleviate stomach and bronchial ailments. After the Boston Tea Party, it was a very popular beverage. Boiling can evaporate the oils which produce the flavor. Bergamot can be used in several ways outside of tea. bee balm, name for several herbs, especially Melissa officinalis and Monarda didyma, both typical perennials of the family Labiatae (mint [1] family) named for … Monarda petals can taste citrusy or have a peppery quality similar to oregano, depending on variety and where it is grown. Molecular phylogenetic studies of this tribe have been poorly sampled, and relationships within it remain unclear. Monarda species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including case-bearers of the genus Coleophora. Other known names of this plant are Monarda, wild bergamot, horsemint, and Oswego tea. The leaves and flowers of monarda are used for colds, reducing fever, soothing sore throats, headaches, insomnia and menstrual pain. Also complements many fruits, including strawberries, oranges, apples, melons, and tangerines. Common names are from state and federal lists. Family – Lamiaceae. There are many different varieties of the Monarda species, and about 50 commercial cultivars commonly available. Bee balm spreads by rhizomes, or underground stems, which makes them easy to split and divide. M. didyma has red-colored flowers, and contains the highest amounts of essential oils. Also known by its botanical name of Monarda, bee balm is very attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Monarda's common names are Bee Balm, as it has great allure to the bees, and also Bergamot because the leaves are scented and when rubbed it is said they smell similar to the Bergamot oranges. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Other Names. Flower color: brilliant scarlet, Lavender Bee Balm: Large and colorful, spicy flowers. Oswego Tea can be made as a soothing drink to calm nerves and as a relaxing sleep aid, and is often combined with other well-known relaxation herbs such as Valerian and Chamomile for this purpose. Scora, R. W. 1967. Flower color: purple. The plants are unrelated but have similar flavors. Subordinate Taxa. Monarda citriodora has leaves that are lemon-scented. This can be harmful to pregnant women. Monarda didyma L. – scarlet beebalm. Hearty, dark red stems of … It is a delightfully spicy edible flower and native medicinal herb, as well as an easy-to-grow, vigorous native nectar plant that will attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your pollinator garden. U.S. Weed Information; Monarda fistulosa . Cambridge Scarlet Bee Balm: Citrus-flavored leaves, with hints of orange and lemon. The scent is similar to the bergamot orange that flavors Earl Grey tea. These are generally not as robust as wild species. The Winnebago used a bee balm tisane as a general stimulant. In 2008 while I was in the Army my brother and I decided to talk to my mother about switching to medical cannabis. The plants are widespread across North America and can be found in moist meadows, hillsides, and forest clearings up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in elevation. Bee Balm has also shown some merit as an antiseptic and antibacterial, and a clean cloth can be soaked in a tea and used as a compress, or an ointment can be made to help relieve pain and speed healing for minor wounds, insect stings, and for relief of eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, and clearing up acne. The bee balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple and white. For bareroot varieties, plant with the old stems pointing up. Native Americans made use of monarda's essential healing oils, and spotted bee balm … Another common name for Monarda didyma is Oswego Tea, which refers to the medicinal use of its leaves by an Amerindian tribe of the same name. Genus. What Are The Best Spices To Use In BBQ Rubs. Bee balm is the common name of both Monarda didyma, which has red flowers, or Monarda fistulosa, which can have lavender, pink, or white flowers.M. The wild flowers are single, but some cultivated forms have double flowers. The plant has antibacterial properties, which helps to treat infections. It also has antiseptic qualities that fight bacteria, parasites and fungi. Plant taxonomy classifies red bee balm plants (alternatively termed \"scarlet\") as Monarda didyma. It is a somewhat coarse, clump-forming, mint family member that features tubular, two-lipped, bright scarlet-red flowers crowded into dense, globular, terminal flowerheads (to 3-4 across) somewhat resembling unkempt mo… Harley, R. M., et al. The plants are well known to attract butterflies and bees. Bee balm was also used as a carminative herb by Native Americans to prevent excessive flatulence. Bee balm is a member of the mint family but has a citrus quality to it. Pericarp structure and phylogeny of tribe Mentheae (Lamiaceae). Combines well with mint. This often forgotten herb is easy to find fresh, and can be dried for an aromatic and useful bouquet. The genus was named for the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes, who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World. Enliven the taste and look of salads by adding a sprinkling of bergamot flowers. Monarda L. – beebalm. [19] The genera Blephilia and Pycnanthemum are close relatives of Monarda, but they might not be the closest. The common name “bee balm” derives from the fact that bees love the nectar of the sweet smelling blossoms. Early pilgrims, such as the east coast Shakers and native American Indians, such as the Oneida Indians used the tea to remedy colds and sore throats, and it’s often used in the same way today. [8], Monarda plants thrive in sun and moist but well-drained soil. In dry conditions, Bee Balm is susceptible to powdery mildew. Monarda fruit punch is delicious, and the flowers a colourful addition to salads. Latin Name Pronunciation: mo-nar'duh . [5] https://www.almanac.com/plant/bee-balm. The genus was named for the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes, who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World. Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower in the mint family (Lamiaceae) widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. Species. Monarda grows best in full sun but tolerates light shade, and will thrive in any moist soil that is rich in organic matter such as manure, compost, or leaf mold. The genus is endemic to North America. While the flowers usually appear individually, some cultivars are created to have two of them on one stem. Bergaptene is also found in bergamot, and may cause phototoxicity. Be sure to allow for good air circulation around the plants to prevent attacks from powdery mildew! [10], The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[11], The UK National Collection of Monardas is held at Glyn Bach Gardens at Pont Hywel, Efailwen, near Llandissilio in Pembrokeshire.[18]. pp 167-275 In: Kubitzki, K. (editor) and J. W. Kadereit (volume editor). Monarda are used in beds and borders to attract hummingbirds, pollinating insects, and insects that control garden pests. Common Name. The name "bee balm" may refer to any species in the genus Monarda. As the name suggests, their presence will summon bees to your garden, along with other nectar seekers, such as butterflies and hummingbirds. It is an effective herbal cure for Headache. Interspecific relationships in the genus, "Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families", "2013 BONAP North American Plant Atlas. At the same time her doctor was telling her to seek “alternative” solutions. The slender, serrated, lanceolate leaves are oppositely arranged on the square stem, hairless or sparsely hairy, and about 7 to 14 centimeters long. Scientific Name: Cambridge Scarlet Bee Balm: Monarda didyma Lavender Bee Balm: Monarda fistula Fam: Labiatae (mint family) Image by Mabel Amber from Pixabay The flowers are tubular and bilaterally symmetric, with a narrow upper lip and a wider lower lip. Often called bergamot because its citrusy flavor is similar to the bergamot orange, bee balm flowers make a great addition to oil when frying white fish or scallops. Oil of bergamot comes from the bergamot orange and is used to flavor Earl Grey tea. Monarda, commonly called bee balm or bergamot, is also known by the names oswego tea and horsemint. The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it. Earl Grey tea is flavored with the rind of citrus bergamia, the bergamot orange. Bee Balm herb is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. [6] Monarda is divided into two distinct subgenera, Monarda and Cheilyctis. }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-d2559b6gz")); Copyright © The Epicentre - Website designed by, How to Start Your First Fresh Herb Garden, Want to Go Organic? The leaves are slender, serrated, and arrange parallel to each other, usually with very few hairs. Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. Bee Balm is another name for Horsemint. “We actually had a contest where over 500 people voted,” Ball said. The plant should be divided every 3 years to keep it tidy. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing, aromatic herbal tea. The fresh leaves can be added to jellies, punch, lemonade or wine to add extra taste. These beautiful native perennials can grow several feet tall, and serve valuable nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds. 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