Monarda didyma, Oswego tea, scarlet bee balm

Monarda didyma

Oswego tea, scarlet bee balm, bergamot, scarlet monarda

Lamiaceae

from Monarda didyma @Wiki

Beebalm has a long history of use as a medicinal plant by many Native Americans, including the Blackfeet. The Blackfeet Indians recognized this plant's strong antiseptic action, and used poultices of the plant for skin infections and minor wounds. A tea made from the plant was also used to treat mouth and throat infections caused by dental caries and gingivitis. Beebalm is the natural source of the antiseptic thymol, the primary active ingredient in modern commercial mouthwash formulas. The Winnebago used a tea made from beebalm as a general stimulant. It was also used as a carminative herb by Native Americans to treat excessive flatulence.

 

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Both Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa are NOT the bergamot in Earl Grey tea. That 'bergamot' is actually from the rind of a citrus from the Mediterranean called the Bergamot orange.

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