Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa

Other Names: Eastern Beebalm, Wild Oswego Tea, Horsemint, Monarda

Habitat: (Monarda fistulosa) Perennial herb native to Northeastern N. America, occurs in dry thickets, clearings and woodland edges from Ontario and British Columbia to Georgia and Mexico. Cultivation: Wild Bergamot is easily grown in ordinary garden soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils, requires a sunny position, this species thrives when grown in a dry soil and prefers alkaline soil conditions. It has showy, pale blue or lilac flowers in large heads or whorls of about 20-50 flowers at the top of the branching stem, supported by leafy bracts, the leaflets are a pale-green color. Its square, grooved and hard stems rise about 3 feet high. The leaves occur in opposite pairs, are rough on both surfaces, are distinctly toothed, and lance-shaped. Fine dense hairs cover much of the stem and leaves. Roots are short, slender, creeping rhizomes. Wild Bergamot flowers bloom from June to July. Gather edible leaves and flowers in bloom, dry for later herb use.

Properties: Wild Bergamot is edible and medicinal, the entire plant above ground is edible used as a pot herb, it is also used as a flavoring in cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing aromatic and medicinal tea. An infusion of its young leaves used to form a common beverage in many parts of the United States. The plant is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. Other constituents in the plant include essential oils rich in geraniol, linalool, thymol, carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, and other terpenes. Wild Bergamot leaves and flowers and stems are used in alternative medicine as an antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. An infusion is medicinal used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, gastric disorders, to reduce low fevers and soothe sore throat, to relieve flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain, and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh (inflamation of the mucus membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus). Externally, it is a medicinal application for skin eruptions and infections. Bergamot's distinctive aroma, found in both the leaf and flower is wonderful for use in potpourri.

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Folklore: Used as a medicinal plant extensively by Amerindians who recognised four varieties that had different odors. Wild Bergamot was used also as an active diaphoretic (sweat inducer) for ceremonial sweat lodges. A decoction of the herb was made into hair pomade. Used extensively by settlers after Boston Tea party when English tea was at a premium.

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Medicinal tea: To 1 tsp. dried herb add 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 min. sweeten to taste, take at bedtime.