Bee Balm Uses and Benefits – It’s for More Than the Bees!
Meet the Monardas… the crowning glory of the mint plant family (Lamiaceae)! The bee balm uses and benefits are many, both for you and your garden. When it comes to beebalm, there are numerous colors available for adding visual delight as well as edible and medicinal benefit.
Bee balm (Monarda species) is an herbaceous perennial native to North America. It grows wild in drifts along roadsides, in meadows, and along woodland edges. Last count, there were twenty-one different species and all Monarda are endemic to North America. [1]https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=mofi
A true American, Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial native to North America growing wild in drifts along roadsides, in meadows, and along woodland edges. Last count, there were twenty-one different species of these plants in the Monarda Lamiaceae family.
This lovely plant, loved by bees and butterflies alike, is named after the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monarda, who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World.[4]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda
Bee Balm History
Common names indicate a long and colorful history. Though called “wild bergamot”, bee balm is NOT an ingredient for Earl Grey tea. Earl Grey tea is flavored with the rind of citrus bergamia, the bergamot orange. [5]https://www.almanac.com/plant/bee-balm
Early pilgrims, such as the east coast Shakers and native American Indians, such as the Oneida Indians used is as an herbal remedies for colds and flu, as well as sore throats and cold sores. The Monarda plants are often used in the same way today.
The Oswego Native Americans from what is now the Oswego County area of upstate New York, would brew a tea out of the leaves of the bee balm plant. The Oswego Indians used the “wild bergamot” for medicine, sweat lodge ceremonies, and hair pomade. [6]https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MODI
The Oswegos taught New England colonists how to use bee balm for tea, which they dubbed “Oswego Tea”. This American-grown “tea” substituted for English tea after the destruction of tea shipments at the Boston Tea Party. [7]https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/tbt/history-bee-balm/
The Perennial Bee Balm
For the landscape gardener, bee balm is one of the best perennial yard and garden plants for Zones 3-9 for its beauty and benefit to the garden ecosystem.[8]https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/bee-balm/ It deserves placement in butterfly gardens, perennial borders, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and wild (native) landscapes.
Bee balm flowers are eye candy for the garden.
Monarda Plants Attracts Pollinators
From late spring to late summer, pollinators are attracted to varieties of bee balm bloom in a range of colors–red, pink, lavender, purple and white. We’re growing the scarlet bee balm, Monarda didyma and the purple Monarda fistulosa here in our Zone 7a landscape. They’re growing quite well planted under partial shade in rich, well-drained soil.
When crowned with brilliant flowers, bee balm attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for weeks into the summer.
The blossoms of bee balm are a pollinator magnet for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Ruby Throated Hummingbird at Bee Balm – Scarlet Monarda didyma
Bee Balm Uses
Bee balm delights the senses in many ways. Some species of bee balm emit a light minty fragrance. The tea, made from petals and leaves, is refreshing and aromatic. The petals have a subtle, layered flavor and make an excellent salad garnish.
Bee Balm Name
Some say it’s called bee balm because the bees love the flowers. Others, because the leaves make a good poultice for bee stings. Likely there’s truth to both. While we haven’t yet tried it for bee stings, it is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and we can definitely attest to how much the butterflies, bees and hummingbirds love bee balm.
Community members report preferring the flavor of some colors of blossoms (red) more than others (purple). However they’re all lovely in the garden and all with similar medicinal benefits. From tea to salads, tinctures and bee balm salve, the used are many.
So when it comes to edible uses, try tasting the different blossoms and see which you prefer.
Monarda fistulosa—bee balm—essential oil, is a more powerful anti-inflammatory than hydrocortisone for skin conditions such as seborrhea. ~Oct.2009 Study of Monarda fistulosa (the purple bee balm) essential oil for seborrheic [13]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20396753
Bee Balm Medicinal Benefits
Traditional medicinal uses abound. As you might imagine, “bee balm” refers to use as a treatment for bee stings as well as to the attractiveness of the plant to bees. Studies have shown effective treatment of skin conditions such as seborrhea.
Bee Balm Plant – Medicinal Properties
Note: We’ve listed some of these above under leaves and flowers, however, this section is so that you’ll be able to see all of the medicinal benefits of the bee balm plant in one place.
Anti-inflammatory – superior to hydrocortisone in combination with vitamin B6
Learn also, about growing lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and the effects of lemon balm, which also has antiviral activity, antibacterial activity and antioxidant activities… all the good “aunties”! 😎
You can find info on how to make your own bee balm oil and tinctures, and growing other mint plants, here.
Until you can make your own, you may want to keep some of this amazing bee balm essential oil on hand.
Allow 18-24 inches spacing in well-drained, rich soil
Bee balm needs good air circulation, otherwise it can develop mildew on its leaves and diminish blossoms
Water completely just after planting
When Bee Balm Flowers Don’t Blossom
Some issues with bee balm not blooming can include:
Not enough sun; 6-8 hours full sun is best for most
Too dry – drought can diminish blossoms
Too wet – too much rain or humidity can hinder flower development
Crowding – older plants may have become crowded causing fewer to no flowers
Deadheading old blossoms can help rejuvenate new ones
Bee Balm Pests and Diseases
Insects aren’t a major problem with bee balm. However, powdery mildew can be very destructive. Powdery mildew often occurs on the foliage with high level humidity.
Sweeten – optional, consider omitting or add a leaf or two of stevia, or spoon of local honey
EDITOR’S NOTE: We’ve adjusted Dusti’s ratios a little to make it easy to remember, e.g., 5 leaves + 5 petals for 5 minutes, and added a note on sweeteners.
HOW TO MAKE BEE BALM TEA FROM DRIED LEAVES AND FLOWERS:
Add 1 Tbsp. dried leaves and flower petals to a tea diffuser and place diffuser in a cup
Fill cup with boiling water
Steep for 5 minutes
Remove diffuser, discard herbs to compost bin
Sweeten – optional consider omitting or add a leaf or two of stevia, or spoon of honey
For Stronger or Milder Bee Balm Tea:
Increase or decrease quantities for a stronger or milder brew.
For Larger Quantities of Bee Balm Tea
We like to make pitchers of bee balm tea or water (same for other herbal teas) using a diffuser teapot or diffuser dispensing pitcher. We place all herbs directly into the pitcher and use the strainer side of the lid when pouring to serve.
We use approximate quantities, and it’s easiest to start with a strong brew and add more water if needed.
Sweetener is Optional
Most herbal teas are mild enough and with a hint of sweetness. For healthier brews, consider omitting sweeteners, or choosing healthier fare, such as a leaf or two of stevia (or natural stevia powder), or spoon of local or manuka honey
Dusti says, “I like to add a small spoon of raw local honey – I confess to a sweet tooth!“
HOW TO DRY BEE BALM LEAVES AND FLOWERS:
Prune healthy branches
Dry leaves and flowers until completely dry. To dryyou can:
Red Bee Balm Flowers Are Often Favored for Teas and Edibles
Planting for Retirement community member, Anne Horner, said, “I put the petals in salad. The red is so vibrant. I also like to graze in my garden and the petals taste sort of sweet, like honeysuckle. They get powdery mildew every year and I spray with neem oil to control it.”
Lavender Flowers for Tea
GardensAll community member, Yvonne Da Torre, said that she’s growings Monarda didyma, Oswego tea, bee balm. “Mine is pale lilac. I collect flowers for tea.”
G. Coleman Alderson is an entrepreneur, land manager, investor, gardener, and author of the novel, Mountain Whispers: Days Without Sun. Coleman holds an MS from Penn State where his thesis centered on horticulture, park planning, design, and maintenance. He’s a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and a licensed building contractor for 27 years. “But nothing surpasses my 40 years of lessons from the field and garden. And in the garden, as in life, it’s always interesting because those lessons never end!” Coleman Alderson
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