Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Monarda fistulosa; Monarda didyma;
|
| Common Names: |
Bergamot, Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Wild Bergamot
|
| Key Name: |
Bergamot
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| Parts Used: |
Leaves, flowers, stems
|
| Sister Plants: |
Monarda punctata, Monarda citriodora, Origanum vulgare
|
| Comments: |
Perennial herbs valued for Aromatic Leaves and flowers; attract pollinators; thrive in sunny, well-drained soils
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Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Lamiales |
| Family |
Lamiaceae |
Genus |
Monarda |
| Species |
fistulosa |
NCBI Tax ID |
39344
|
| Organism |
|
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Perennial herbs (2-4 ft), square stems, Aromatic Leaves, tubular flowers in dense heads; M. fistulosa: lavender; M. didyma: red to purple
|
| Stem: |
Square, erect, branched, green to reddish, 60-120 cm
|
| Leaves: |
Oval to lance-shaped, 2-6 inches, serrated, Aromatic
|
| Flowers: |
Tubular flowers in dense heads, 1-2 inches, M. fistulosa lavender (June-August), M. didyma red to purple (July-September)', 'Small nutlets, 1-2 mm',
|
| Fruit: |
Small nutlets, 1-2 mm
|
| Taste: |
Minty, slightly Bitter (Leaves), floral (flowers)
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| Odour: |
Strong, minty-citrus scent'
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| Root: |
Fibrous, shallow root system
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| Image: |
(image unavailable)
https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.Y934UXAXPRiaff0j9mOcIgHaIC%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=23c4e7f3c3a8b1d4ca1cb3415883c705d523d1bac95760f3ff566fee4d0cd767&ipo=images
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to North America; M. fistulosa: central and eastern U.S., Canada; M. didyma: eastern U.S.
|
| Cultivation: |
Full Sun to partial shade, well-drained soil; propagate by seed, division, or cuttings in spring; space 18-24 inches apart
|
| Harvest: |
Leaves and flowers: Summer (June-September)
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Carminative, Diaphoretic, Antiseptic, Stimulant
|
| Medical Uses: |
Leaves and flowers for Colds, Digestive issues, sore throats; M. didyma as Oswego tea
|
| Constituents: |
Thymol, Carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids (flavonoids)">flavonoids
|
| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (Tincture), oil
|
| Dosage: |
infusion: 1 tsp dried leaves/flowers in hot water, 1-2 times daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: infusion, Tincture; External: Poultice
|
| Formulas: |
Formula #1 For cheek Swelling (jaw infection).
|
| Contra Indications: |
May cause Allergic reactions; avoid high doses; consult healthcare provider'
|
| Preparation: |
infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried leaves/flowers in hot water 10 min'
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for respiratory support in livestock
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| Homeopathic: |
Used homeopathically for Colds
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
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| Pollinator: |
honeybees, native bees, butterflies, summer pollinators
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, some self-pollination
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| Nectar: |
No
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, butterflies, summer pollinators
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
ornamental, fragrance, insect repellent
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| Culinary Uses: |
Leaves and flowers in teas, salads, flavoring
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| History: |
Used by Native Americans as tea and medicine; named for bergamot orange scent
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| Reference: |
1,
'herbalist1',
'Herbal Community',
|
| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
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| Share: |
Public
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