Bee-Balm/Oswego Tea

Monarda didyma

Taste: Slightly spicy, pungent, aromatic

Origin: Turtle island (North America)

Energetics: Warming, drying

Actions and properties: stimulant, digestive, carminative, diuretic, relaxing nervine, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, stimulating diaphoretic

Systems: digestive system, integumentary system, urinary system, respiratory system, nervous system

Traditionally used for:

• Helps open congested airways
• Lax, depressed tissue
• Promotes local circulation
• Eases sore throats, coughs, colds, fevers
• Upset stomach, gas, bloating, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, stimulates gallbladder
• Urinary tract infections, bladder infections, Yeast infections
• Nervousness, anxiety
• Burns, sunburns, cuts, wounds, minor infections
• high blood pressure associated with anxiety
• Meniere’s disease, tinnitus

Brewing instructions:

• 1-1.5 tsp of herb per cup of water
• Boiling water (200-212f/93-100C)
• Steep for 3-6 minutes

Contraindications/cautions: Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Always consult a healthcare practitioner when consuming any new herb. Like all herb it is best to start with a little to make sure you are not intolerant.

Warning: This information has not been verified by Health Canada and should be considered for historical and educational purposes only.

Other uses: Can be burned as incense. Insect repellent.