Dried Bee Balm
Dried bee balm
Today, bee balm is still used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. 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. Bee balm is a natural antiseptic and applied topically, can help with bee stings, rashes, and minor wounds.
Can bee balm be dried?
The quickest way to dry bee balm is by using a dehydrator. Spread the leaves out on the screens and dry at a low temperature. Check every 30-minutes until completely dry. You can tell when the leaves are dry, by crushing a leaf or two.
What is bee balm used for medicinally?
Bee balm is used in modern herbal medicine to expel gas, to relieve nausea, in menstrual cramps, and as an expectorant to soothe sore throats (Foster 2006). Scientific research on the clinical effects of Monarda is lacking, but several of the components found in the essential oil from some species, such as M.
Can you dry bee balm flowers?
The individual petals of bee balm flowers pull out easily and can be dried to make a beautiful bright red tea. In season, the petals can also be used fresh. Bee balm tea is a digestive aid that helps relieve nausea, upset stomach and gas.
What bugs does bee balm keep away?
Common Pests or Diseases on Bee Balm:
- Aphids.
- Whiteflies.
- Spider mites.
- Stalk borers.
- Thrips.
Can you drink bee balm tea?
You can make tea from fresh or dried bee balm. I use the fresh flowers to make a blushing pink iced tea, but you can make tea from the fragrant leaves, as well.
Is bee balm edible for humans?
Bee balm flowers and leaves are edible. In fact, Native Americans use bee balm for many healing purposes. It's leaves are used to make tea. Bee balm is not poisonous for humans.
How long does bee balm last for?
A low-maintenance perennial, bee balm has a long blooming period, giving your garden up to 8 weeks of colour in the summer and early fall. The bee balm plant is treasured for attracting beneficial bees as well as other pollinators including butterflies and hummingbirds who come to feast on its nectar.
What do you do with bee balm at the end of the season?
Cut the bee balm down to the soil surface. Lay down a one inch layer of mulch (mid-autumn) around the roots. Do not mulch prior to this as it will prevent the seeds from dropping down to the soil. Some gardeners prefer to leave the seed heads on the bee balm all winter to provide food for birds.
Does bee balm repel mosquitoes?
Beloved for its ability to beckon bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, bee balm (Monarda) also earns rave reviews for its mosquito-repelling qualities.
Is bee balm good for your face?
This is a rare and beautiful balm packed with bee products to give your skin vitamins and minerals in their most natural form. Not only does it serve as a gorgeous face moisturiser and eye cream, but it also fills in pores as a primer would, leaving a perfect canvas for makeup.
How do you eat bee balm?
Separate the petals from the main head to scatter over fruit salad, or steep the flower heads in liquid, then strain for a refreshing sorbet or jam. Substitute bee balm in recipes that call for Earl Grey tea.
What can I do with bee balm flowers?
They can be used in salads, to make an herbal butter, or in homemade ice cream or a cream cheese spread. Bee balm petals are also a lovely way to dress up fresh fruit or a fruit salad like this one. Another favorite way to use bee balm is by making a wildflower jelly.
What parts of bee balm are edible?
Edible Parts Leaves and flowers. The leaves of wild bee balm are edible raw or cooked. They are also used as a flavoring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads.
Will bee balm rebloom if you cut it back?
"Cut it back hard and it will come back strong," Pollak says. Bee balm or bergamot (Monarda), another member of the indomitable mint family, also responds to deadheading. If you cut back perennial salvias such as 'May Night' (Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht') after their first May bloom, they will likely rebloom in July.
Do hummingbirds like bee balm?
Bee Balm (Monarda) As its name suggests, this perennial plant attracts bees, but it's also a hummingbird magnet.
Does bee balm attract wasps?
Monarda fistulosa Wild bergamot is one of several plants also known by the common name of bee balm. Wild bergamot attracts a number of specialist bees, bumble bees, predatory wasps, hummingbirds, and hawk moths.
Is bee balm invasive like mint?
Bee balm does tend to grow freely, so it may need some taming after a few years, although it tends not be truly invasive like other members of the mint family. For more, see all my plant suggestions for a cottage-style garden, and have a look around my garden here.
Is bee balm antifungal?
The largest component of bee balm is thymol, a common mouthwash ingredient which acts as an antifungal and antioxidant3. Interestingly, the bee balm plant also has a natural herbicidal and parasitic toxicity potential, which would reduce the chemical pollution of alternative methods2,4.
Is bee balm in Earl GREY tea?
Although called “wild bergamot,” bee balm is not used in “bergamot” (Earl Grey) tea, which is made with oils extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit.
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