Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Monarda fistulosa; Monarda didyma;
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| Common Names: |
Bergamot, Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Wild Bergamot
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| Key Name: |
Bergamot
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| Parts Used: |
Leaves, flowers, stems
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| Sister Plants: |
Monarda punctata, Monarda citriodora, Origanum vulgare
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| Comments: |
Perennial herbs valued for aromatic leaves and flowers; attract pollinators; thrive in sunny, well-drained soils
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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
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| Stem: |
Square, erect, branched, green to reddish, 60-120 cm
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| Leaves: |
Oval to lance-shaped, 2-6 inches, serrated, aromatic
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| 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',
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| Fruit: |
Small nutlets, 1-2 mm
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| 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 URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to North America; M. fistulosa: central and eastern U.S., Canada; M. didyma: eastern U.S.
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| Cultivation: |
Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil; propagate by seed, division, or cuttings in spring; space 18-24 inches apart
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| Harvest: |
Leaves and flowers: Summer (June-September)
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Carminative, diaphoretic, antiseptic, stimulant
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| Medical Uses: |
Leaves and flowers for colds, digestive issues, sore throats; M. didyma as Oswego tea
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| Constituents: |
Thymol, carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids
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| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (tincture), oil
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| Dosage: |
Infusion: 1 tsp dried leaves/flowers in hot water, 1-2 times daily
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| Administration: |
Internal: Infusion, tincture; External: Poultice
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| Formulas: |
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| Contra Indications: |
May cause allergic reactions; avoid high doses; consult healthcare provider'
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| 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
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| 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
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, some self-pollination
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| Nectar: |
No
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| 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',
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| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
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| Share: |
Public
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