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Monarda fistulosa flowers.jpg 

NAME: Wild Bee Balm

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Monarda Fistulosa / Lamiaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  wild bergamot, mintleaf bergamot

CONDITIONS: sun
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

mint

RAW/COOK

Summer

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

       

Flowers

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 

RAW

Summer

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

   

Seeds

 

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small

 

COMMENT: A mint. The entire plant above ground level can be used as a potherb, though it is rather aromatic. It is also used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing aromatic tea.(1)

 

CAUTION: Excessive mint exposure may cause an arthritic condition.

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  https://www.webmd.com / https://draxe.com/  Carminative;  Diaphoretic;  Diuretic;  Pectoral;  Stimulant. Wild bergamot was often employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints, but especially those connected with the digestive system.(1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  Scarlet Bee Balm

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: Repellent. The leaves have been used as an insect repellent.(1) Any mint is an insect and rodent repellent, just put some in a blender with water, sieve out fiber, use mint water to damp mop and dust. Also use to rinse woolen clothes to keep moths away.

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Monarda+fistulosa
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/?s=BEEBALM - RELATED  
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda_fistulosa  
  4. http://www.foragingtexas.com (good photos)
  5. http://www.ediblewildfood.com/wild-bee-balm.aspx (good photos)
  6. https://plighttofreedom.com/basil-balm - RELATED