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Wild Bergamot Description: Wild bergamot has a wonderful fruity, minty aroma. The tubular flowers sit at the top of 3-4 foot stems in mid and late summer and come in a lot of colors, including red, pink and purple. The plant has soft downy grayish-green, ovate leaves with serrated edges. On top of all these qualities, it is a hardy perennial herb that will grown in all zones. History: Monarda is a North American genus of about 15-20 species. The famous Swedish botanist, Carl von Linne (Linnaeus), who wrote the earliest accepted work on modern plant taxonomy, dedicated the genus to Nicolas Monardes (1493-1588), Spanish physician-botanist and author of many tracts about useful New World plants. Propagation: Wild bergamot is best propagated by division or cuttings rather than seed. Growing Conditions: Wild bergamot requires full sun, light shade in hot climates and fertile, light and moist soil. Pests and Diseases: Powdery mildew. Other names: Bee balm and Oswego tea. Medicinal Uses: Wild bergamot may be taken as a digestive tea and inhaled to sooth bronchial complaints and ease colds. Thymol is contained in this plant which has been used as a stimulant and to relieve digestive flatulence and nausea. Other uses: To make a cup of tea, simply place a tablespoon of fresh or one teaspoon of dried wild bergamot leaves and/or flowers in a tea strainer or teas spoon and pour one cup of boiling water over it. Allow it to steep for ten minutes. The flowers of wild bergamot also make excellent cut flowers and can be dried for addition to potpourri. The leaves and flowers can also be added to fruit salad for extra flavor or as a garnish to any type of salad.
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