What does bee balm smell like?
The flowers of bee balm have a sweet citrusy scent reminiscent of a bergamot orange. This is, of course, how they came to be called wild bergamot. People often (mistakenly) assume that it’s this plant that lends its flavor to Earl Grey tea. However, that comes from the oil of the bergamot orange rind.
Can you eat bee balm leaves?
Bee balm is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its foliage has a strong aroma and is sometimes used in herbal teas, salads, and as garnishes. The flowers are also edible. Despite being called "wild bergamot," bee balm is not used in "bergamot" tea (a.k.a. Earl Grey tea).
What is bee balm and should you grow it?
However, that comes from the oil of the bergamot orange rind. Bee balm is also known as horsemint, and Oswego tea, the latter coming from its Native American use as an herbal tea. I stand by my claim that everyone should grow bee balm; it’s the perfect option for the gardener looking to optimize their flowerbeds with hardworking beauties.
What is bee balm tea?
Red flowering bee balm is also known as Oswego Tea, since some Native American tribes in New York’s Oswego region used it. Colonial settlers also drank the tea to avoid taxation from the crown after the Boston Tea Party. The purple flowering variety is known as wild bergamot because it smells similar to the orange bergamot citrus tree.
Does bee balm taste like bergamot?
fistulosa is wild bee balm. Its flowers are lavender-pink and it's sometimes called wild bergamot. Both plants are members of the mint family and have a strong herbal flavor that closely resembles that of oregano.
What does bee balm tea taste like?
What Does Bee Balm Tea Taste Like? I really love the taste of bee balm tea. If you've never tried it, it has a slightly minty flavor. That makes sense since monarda is in the mint family, but the flavor is milder than other varieties.
Is bee balm good to eat?
It is also a tasty edible addition for people. All above ground parts of the plant are edible. The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. Bee balm has a minty taste and a flavor similar to oregano.
Is bee balm spicy?
Bee balm is spicy, warming, stimulating, and diffusive. While its taste is similar to thyme and oregano, it assuredly has its own special flavor. The flavor can also vary widely between species or even within the same species growing in different locations.
What part of bee balm is medicinal?
Health benefits Bee balm contains antiseptic, antibacterial, analgesic, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. That's why this plant has long been used by Native Americans as a medicinal herb. As a natural antiseptic, the leaves can be applied topically or made into a salve to help heal minor wounds and infections.
What animals eat bee balm?
But birds don't only enjoy Bee Balm in summer. The nutlet attracts finches, sparrows, juncos, redpolls, among other species.
Is bee balm in Earl GREY tea?
Despite being called “wild bergamot,” bee balm is not used in “bergamot” tea (a.k.a. Earl Grey tea). The tea is made with oils extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit.
Can bee balm be used as tea?
You can make tea from fresh or dried bee balm. I use the fresh flowers to make a blushing pink iced tea, but you can make tea from the fragrant leaves, as well. Start by choosing bee balm that is pesticide free.
Can I cook with bee balm?
The leaves, chopped finely, can be used to flavor sauces, poultry, and red meat dishes. Add the leaves to fish dishes for a citrusy lift. One of my favorite ways to bring Monarda into the kitchen is by making Bee Balm infused vinegar.
Is bee balm toxic to humans?
It's leaves are used to make tea. Bee balm is not poisonous for humans. In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way. Despite not being poisonous to animals, eating parts of any plant can cause digestive upset to an animal.
Is bee balm a stimulant?
The flowers (pink, red or purplish) are also edible as well and add a nice pop of colour to salads. It is believed that bee balm can act as a stimulant, as most of the mint family can.
What is another name for bee balm?
bergamotMonarda, called by the common names of bee balm, horsemint and bergamot, is part of the mint family.
What is bee balm?
Appearance. Bee balm is an easy plant to identify when it ‘s growing wild in fields, stream beds or woodland edges. The flowers are distinct with a spiky appearance.
How long does bee balm flower?
Like others in the mint family, it requires regular thinning, and can easily take over the garden if not maintained. Since it only flowers for a few weeks , from July to early August, cut the blooms when they’re full, and deadhead the plant to promote the growth of new flowers.
What is the name of the flower that attracts pollinators?
Are you familiar with bee balm? Also known by its scientific name, Monarda , it’s a flowering plant genus in the mint family. It’s also known as horsemint and wild bergamot, and is native to North America. This flower—which smells a bit like oregano—is one of the best pollinator-attracting plants you can have in your garden.
How long does it take for bee balm to grow?
It can even be grown in containers: all you need is a large 5-gallon pot and some potting soil. It’s easy to grow from seed and takes between 10 and 40 days to germinate.
Why does my bee balm come back?
Powdery mildew is the most likely problem to affect bee balm. It attacks the leaves during especially humid summers. Just cut the plant down, and it’ll come back the following year.
Why do bees need companion plants?
It’s used to successfully prevent fermentation and mold growth in bee colonies. Companion Plant. It’s a wonderful companion plant for the garden since it attracts pollinators. Plant it in large clumps so that the pollinators have plenty to feed on in one concentrated area.
What do hummingbirds look like?
Lower petals resemble a lip, while the top petals are a mass of individual flowers that look like clustered, fanning tubes. Those long tubes contain the nectar that hummingbirds are drawn to, and the birds’ long beaks are the perfect tools to dig in.
What to do with bee balm leaves?
Pick bee balm flowers when they are newly opened. The individual tube-shaped petals can be sprinkled whole on a green salad, mixed into tuna, chicken, or potato salad, chopped and used as an herb, or steeped in vinegar where they impart both flavor and color. Red flowers make the most colorful vinegar, but all colors are equally tasty. Bee balm leaves can be used any way you’d use oregano and can be harvested any time during the growing season. The flavor of the leaves is slightly stronger than that of the flowers.
Is bee balm a perennial?
Bee balm is often listed as a shade perennial, but it blooms more profusely with at least a half day of sun. In humid locations with low air circulation, powdery mildew can be problematic, infecting the foliage and making it inedible. In the garden, careful siting of the plant and thinning of interior stems reduces the likelihood of the disease. Both foliage and flowers are highly fragrant and useful as herbs, as long as they remain mildew-free. Don’t worry, it’s easy to see the mildew on the leaves so you’ll know when it’s safe to harvest. And even in locations with mildew, new foliage grows in clean, giving you a window of opportunity to harvest. For those of you planning to plant bee balm at home, new hybrids are being bred with better resistance to powdery mildew.
What is bee balm tea?
Bee balm tea is a digestive aid that helps relieve nausea, upset stomach and gas.
How to make a salve with bee balm?
Start by making a herbal infused oil using bee balm, and then use that infused oil to make a simple salve by thickening it with beeswax. The basic ratio is 1 ounce of beeswax to 8 ounces of infused oil.
What is the best way to use bee balm jelly?
Bee Balm Jelly. You can bring out the natural sweetness of bee balm by making a floral jelly for use on toast or muffins. A herbal hedgerow jelly can be made using a mix of edible flowers and herbs from your yard. It’s a great way to add a bit of terroir or “taste of place” to your breakfast.
How to use bee balm to calm nerves?
Since bee balm has nervine properties that help calm the nervous system, an established way to reap the benefits is as a tincture. Fill a jar with bee balm and cover with a neutral alcohol such as vodka. Store in a cool dark place for at least a month and then strain.
How long does it take for honey to ferment?
Just add 1 cup of honey to 3 cups of bee balm tea, along with a yeast packet. Allow it to ferment with a mason jar fermentation kit for 6 weeks and bottle in flip-top Grolsch bottles . If you need more convincing, here are some great reasons to make small batch mead.
Does bee balm help with nasal congestion?
Not only does bee balm smell wonderful, but a herbal sachet used to make a herbal steam can help clear your nasal passages. Bee balm has a lot of thymol, the same constituent that makes thyme a natural decongestant. Adding some of the dry herb to a bath can have the same effect.
Is bee balm good for bloating?
Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it’s often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea. It’s more than just soothing on the digestive system and its antispasmodic properties also help it treat menstrual cramps as well as coughs.
How to make a bee balm infusion?
Instructions. Put the water into a large glass jar or pitcher. Remove the flower petals from the bee balm stems. Add the bee balm to the water, giving it a good stir. You can also add leaves if you like. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. I give the jar a shake every now and again to help the infusion along.
What is bee balm tea used for?
Hot bee balm infused tea has been used to relieve upper respiratory ailments like colds and flu. It’s often used to sooth indigestion, nausea , and menstrual cramps. It has purported anti-septic and anti-microbial properties because it contains a high proportion of thymol, and is used to treat stings, bites, and wounds.
What did the colonists make with bee balm?
The story goes that colonists starting making bee balm tea in the Boston Tea Party era when they were boycotting British black tea, but the Native Americans were doing it way before that. You can make tea from fresh or dried bee balm. I use the fresh flowers to make a blushing pink iced tea, but you can make tea from the fragrant leaves, as well.
How long can you keep bee balm tea in the refrigerator?
Strain the tea through cheesecloth, or you can also use a coffee filter. Your strained tea will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Is bee balm good for you?
Bee balm isn’ t the new kid on the block when it comes to health benefits, it’s been known for generations to be effective in treating many common ailments. I wasn’t able to track down any scientific studies confirming or denying these claims, but it’s nonetheless interesting to learn how bee balm has been used over the years.
Can you dry bee balm for tea?
How to dry bee balm for tea. Putting up summer’s bounty isn’t all about tomatoes and peaches , don’t forget about the edible flowers and herbs that you can dry for the rest of the year, too .
Is a hummingbird's flower edible?
Both flowers and leaves are edible, and they make fabulous herbal tea.
What is bee balm?
Bee balm, otherwise known as wild bergamot or Monarda, is an outstanding flowering perennial commonly used in flower beds or pollinator gardens for its picturesque and charming whorled blooms of red, purple, white, or pink. Its equally attractive foliage emits an evocative fragrance that adds value to its overall desirability.
What is the brightest bee balm?
Perhaps the most popular bee balm cultivar that boasts the brightest pink flowers possible is the Monarda ‘Petite Delight’. The leaves are fragrant, shiny, and dark green. Also known as horsemint bergamot or dwarf bee balm, this bee balm grows best if planted under partial to full shade and in moist soil.
What Does Bee Balm Flower Represent?
Monarda, or more commonly known as bee balm, generally symbolizes wealth and prosperity. But with its different flower colors, symbolism and meaning of bee balm flowers also vary.
Why is bee balm called bee balm?
The common name bee balm is a reference to one of the many uses of this famed plant. The plant produces a resin, which is used to soothe bee stings . The common name Oswego tea, on the other hand, originated when the Oswego Indians use this plant’s leaves as tea (1).
Where do bee balms come from?
Bee balms, which are native to eastern North America (1), are a member of the Mint ( Lamiaceae) family. The name “bee balm” is one of the many common names of the Monarda genus. Other known names of this plant are Monarda, wild bergamot, horsemint, and Oswego tea .
How tall does a squaw bee balm grow?
The award-winning Monarda ‘Squaw’ is known for its vigorous growth and bright scarlet red flowers. It grows in clumps and reaches 3 to 4 ft in height and spreads up to 2 ft. It also flaunts aromatic, bright green leaves. The blooming period for Squaw bee balms lasts for weeks from mid or late summer to fall.
