Click the link above to read more about this plant. Short answer - Bee balm is edible for humans and is considered safe for dogs, cats, and other animals to ingest. Its minty citrus scent is a favorite for aromatherapy. Bee balm is a natural antiseptic and applied topically, can help with bee stings, rashes, and minor wounds. As a member of the mint family, when bee balm is used in teas, it can help with digestive issues, bloating, sore throats, and nausea. Today, bee balm is still used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. In the past, bee balm was often used by Native Americans and European settlers in America as a beverage and for medicinal purposes. The citrus minty flavor in the flowers will enhance salads, desserts, and teas. Fresh leaves can be used to add spice to beverages and salads. Dried bee balm leaves are often used as a spice in many food dishes, tasting similar to oregano or thyme. The leaves will have a slightly stronger taste than the flowers. Often referred to as Oswego tea (from the Oswego Native Americans), historically, the Oswego people brewed tea from the leaves of the bee balm plant. Add compost to the soil and put the seeds without cover. Take out the seeds early in the spring and let a few weeks pass after the winter frost. Put them in a sand-filled plastic bag and store it in your fridge. Freshly picked flowers can be immediately used in many dishes.īee balm can be eaten freshly picked or dried out. Here are the steps to grow bee balm from seeds. Dried bee balm can be used for potpourri, tea, or substituted for oregano. Keep the bags in a dry, well ventilated area until they have completely dried out. Once picked, place small bundles of leaves and flowers in paper bags. Both the leaves and blooms can be eaten fresh or dried. It is best to pick the flowers when they are newly opened. It will need to be supervised unless you want it to spread. Though not considered invasive, it is part of the mint family and spreads rather aggressively.
BEE BALM PLANT FULL
It is a fast-growing perennial that often reaches full height and flowering maturity in its first season. Beginning the second season of growth, harvest the flowers often to encourage more bloom production. Bee balm is usually planted in the spring or fall from container-grown nursery plants. For better flower production, it is best not to harvest the plant during the first year of planting. Harvesting Bee Balmīee balm flowers bloom from mid summer to late summer.
If you sip on Earl Grey tea, then bee balm tea will seem very familiar. If you cannot plant them at once in permanent positions, shallowly heel them into a temporary position and keep them well-watered until transplanting. Plant them as soon as they arrive in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. Bee balm has a minty taste and a flavor similar to oregano. Bee balm is available to plant in the spring and fall. The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. All above ground parts of the plant are edible. It is also a tasty edible addition for people. Native to North America, bee balm is hardy in zones 3-9 and blooms from July to late summer.īee balm’s attractive colors and minty orange scent is favorite for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Also known as horsemint, bergamot, and Oswego tea, its colorful leaves add beauty to any garden. Bee balm (Monarda) is a flowering perennial plant in the mint family.
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