If the bee balm flowers are spent, then they won’t be good to use in tea. Let steep for 10 minutes. I live and garden in Minneapolis, MN (zone 4b). Thank you for your expertise in making this special tea- making iced tea now and saving $. Other Names: Eastern Bee balm, Bergamot, Wild Oswego Tea, Horse mint, Monarda Yum! All Rights Reserved. Bee balm delights the senses in many ways. Bee balm hydrosol was shown to be effective against filament formation and growth of Candida albicans. Bee Balm or Bergamot has been around for centurie s and used in cooking and medicines. The leaves are delicious in tea, with a similar flavor to black tea but without the caffeine. You can also buy wild or cultivated seeds online. If you have monarda in your garden, you should definitely try making oswego tea. Pick a small bunch of bee balm and remove the leaves from the stems and colorful petals from the flower heads. It is simple to make using either dried or fresh monarda right out of your garden. The View from Great Island is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When I make sun tea it steeps in the sun. © 2020 The View From Great Island. Bee Balm is a deciduous perennial in the mint family and is native to the North Carolina mountains and may be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway flowering in summer. There are many methods for drying flowers and herbs, but with long stemmed bee balm I think the easiest is to string them up, upside down, and hang them in a cool dry place until they’ve dried completely. You can also add leaves if you like. Hot bee balm infused tea has been used to relieve upper respiratory ailments like colds and flu. To make tea, start with about 1-teaspoon of crushed, dried bee balm leaves per 8-ounce cup of boiling water. Bee Balm has antimicrobial and soothing qualities that make it an effective treatment for cold, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. A fresh leaf of bee balm infused with China tea will produce a flavor of Earl Grey Tea. Monarda, commonly called bee balm or bergamot, is also known by the names oswego tea and horsemint. Your strained tea will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you like the bold flavor of Earl Grey tea, you will find the flavor quite similar. My recipes are never fussy and always exciting ~ there are 1600 and counting on the blog. Here’s how to dry herbs. If you’re an avid tea drinker, you probably already have these things on hand. If it's too weak, add a few more leaves, or allow it to steep longer next time. Mix together a bee balm infused oil to create a helpful salve. It blooms in summer, on tall stems topped with brilliant red or scarlet blossoms. You can also subscribe without commenting. Pour boiling water over bee balm. No more plastic jugs of store bought tea! Cold brewing is a method for making tea that relies on time rather than heat to infuse the tea. How to use Bee Balm Ointment. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees through links to Amazon.com. If you don’t have an infuser, you can drop fresh leaves and flowers into the cup whole (you’ll just need to strain them out later). Where is the SUN in this tea? No wonder red-flowering Monarda didyma--also called bee balm--popped up in practically every New England dooryard. Monarda didyma, the crimson beebalm, scarlet beebalm, scarlet monarda, Oswego tea, or bergamot, is an aromatic herb in the family Lamiaceae, native to eastern North America from Maine west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to northern Georgia. Starting with Native Americans, folks have been using it medicinally for centuries. You can use any type of monarda to make tea. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. Love your blog and recipes! Strain the tea through cheesecloth or a coffee filter and then keep chilled until ready to use. Enjoy your DIY homegrown bee balm tea! You’re welcome! I know I won’t be the only one, but in response to Cheryl, for your information, the title on the Recipe says Bee Balm Sun Tea. Sugar will dissolve in cold liquids, but it takes longer than it does in hot tea. What about the middle part of the flower. This stimulating warmth gets fluids moving, speeds blood flow to stagnant tissues, and brings visceral, inner body heat out to peripheral areas encouraging perspiration. My brand new book Vertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! Put the water into a large glass jar or pitcher. Yes, you can use the bee balm flowers for brewing tea too, as long as they are fresh. Remove the flower petals from the bee balm stems. They have an intoxicating aroma. Bee balm tea is delicious, and has many health benefits. It shares the same family with famous herbs such as sage, rosemary, basil, … Your email address will not be published. So discard any that have white spots, blemishes, are yellowing, or ones that show signs of powdery mildew. It alleviates the problem of Insomnia. If you live in zones 3-9, and have a sunny to part sunny patch in your yard, this is a wonderful plant to grow. Bee balm is strongly anti-fungal, lending itself to combating topical infections as well as imbalanced gut flora. Bee Balm is used to counter Feverishness. To get you fired up about good food! 🙂. Bee balm tea (wild bergamot or oswego tea) has a delicious, slightly minty flavor. It can also be used as a salv… There’s also a hint of menthol which makes it refreshing. How can I use the spent flowers that I cut off? I don’t have a recipe for you, but you can use bee balm in cooking just as you would any other herb if you want to. To me it has an herby flavor like a combination of mint, basil, and oregano, but not as strong. It has purported anti-septic and anti-microbial properties because it contains a high proportion of thymol, and is used to treat stings, bites, and wounds. Diffusive herbs usually feel or taste quite warm at initial application or ingestion. How to Make No Churn Ice Cream ~ 3 Methods! If you add in some of the flowers, it will turn your tea a lovely light pink or magenta color. Bee balm, also called Bergamot and Oswego Tea, is a quintessentially an American plant. Ocimum tenuiflorum Tulsi Basil Saving seed from Bee Balm can be a tricky thing. It’s often used to sooth indigestion, nausea, and menstrual cramps. You can read about how different tribes have used the plant over at the USDA plant guide. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This medication is for use on the skin only. Monarda leaves are very prone to powdery mildew, which presents as white spots or a coating on the leaves. If you’ve never tried it, it has a slightly minty flavor. Colonial settlers also drank the tea to avoid taxation from the crown after the Boston Tea Party. The best part about this oswego tea recipe is that you only need two ingredients, water and the leaves. You might also know it as horsemint, oswego tea, or bergamot. Bee balm is often used to make tea. I love trying out new ingredients and techniques, reinventing the classics, and hunting down the next great flavor. Use fewer leaves for a lighter flavored tea. Like most herbal teas, it takes a bit longer to steep than a standard black tea, around 15 minutes. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; and the seed heads attract birds in the fall and winter, so it’s an eco-friendly choice for any garden. In this post, I’ll give you my easy recipe, and show you step by step how to make bee balm tea using either fresh or dried monarda from your garden. Plus, you end up with tea that’s already chilled from the get-go: a bonus in these steamy summer months. Its foliage has a strong aroma and is sometimes used in herbal teas, salads, and as garnishes. History of Bee Balm Plants Strain the tea through cheesecloth, or you can also use a coffee filter. Can I use the leaves from that? Your photos are beautiful. Step 1: Boil the water – Bring water to a boil in your teapot or other container. I find the flavor of tea made from Monarda didyma to be rather strong. Some say bee balm is … Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Indígena en el este de América del Norte, Monarda o Bee Balm, es otra de mis plantas perennes favoritas. This is my first year growing the plants and I will appreciate any tips. The purple flowering variety is known as wild bergamot because it smells similar to the orange bergamot citrus tree. Keep in mind that, like all its mint cousins, bee balm tends to spread (i.e. Earl Grey tea). It’s summertime and my bee balm is exploding with aroma! If it’s too weak, add a few more leaves, or allow it to steep longer. Awesome, glad you like the bee balm tea. You don’t need to use them when they’re fresh. If your tea is too strong, you can add more water, and use fewer leaves next time. I don’t see why not. Sun tea is gently warmed by the sun to a temperature that is ideal for the potential growth of bacteria, and while the risk is small, it’s best to avoid this method. Serve over ice, sweetened with honey, and a wedge of lemon, if you like. Bee balm tea is delicious and simple to make. So make sure you to do your research before you decide if this is something you'd like to try. Common names include bee balm, horsemint, oswego tea, the latter inspired by the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia). The easiest way to start your bee balm patch is by division in the spring, so check out your friends’ and neighbors’ yards. Step 2: Fill your infuser – Put the leaves and flower petals into your tea infuser. Instead of using sugar or honey, why not try making your own homemade liquid stevia drops. Granted it takes a little longer than standard tea kettle tea, but it’s a lovely back to basics experience not to be missed. It grows 2-4 feet high with scarlet flowers that bloom for up to 8 weeks and attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Use the salve to help heal the body and boost health. You’ve heard of cold brewed coffee, but what about tea? Instead, bee balm has a rich lemony aroma which can be quite pleasing, especially when the heat of the day brings it out. Add sweetener, if using, to taste. 100% Natural all-purpose balm made with Australian beeswax, natural essential oils and MGO500+ Manuka & Tea … Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea. Step 4: Steep your tea – Allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired flavor. The herbal tea has the capability to cure cold and flu, coughing, nasal problems, nausea, digestive problems, headache, vomiting and other common sickness. It is also said to be helpful for the treatment of  depression. That makes sense since monarda is in the mint family, but the flavor is milder than other varieties. The best time to harvest bee balm for making tea is in the late spring, or early summer before the flowers start to fade. Share your tips for making bee balm tea in the comments below. I’m a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! This beautiful perennial garden plant and wildflower (M. fistulosa) is native to North America, and in the mint family, which probably explains why it makes such amazing tea. Follow all directions on the product package. It’s often used to sooth indigestion, nausea, and menstrual cramps. Hot bee balm infused tea has been used to relieve upper respiratory ailments like colds and flu. When you’re ready to make tea, crush the petals and leaves before adding to hot water to release their flavor oils. Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time … Below I will tell you all about bee balm tea, and show you exactly how to make it using monarda from your garden. There are numerous kinds of bee balm on the market. Required fields are marked *. The flowers of the Bee Balm are an attractive addition to salads. It makes a refreshing all natural drink right now, and I’ll dry the flowers and leaves for a flu soothing hot tea this winter. Also known as the “bergamot,” the bee balm flowers produce a citrus scent that’s similar to what you might expect when cutting up a bergamot orange. Native Americans used it to treat fever and chills. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.. Simply clip or pinch healthy leaves and flowers from the plant. Steep for at least 5 minutes and drink like regular tea. Well, I’ve been saving this seed for over 5 years, and I will now share my process, tips, tricks and some other interesting finds about how to save Beebalm seed. You can dry bee balm flower petals or the leaves for later, and make tea with those too. I don’t see why not. Learn more. Bee balm is a common garden plant in zones 3-9, so chances are you’ve got some growing near you. The leaf of bee balm is used as an infusion in tea to help in the relief of insomnia, menstrual pain, nausea, and flatulence. Both types are edible and make lovely tea. I have a white one growing. Like I said, monarda tea is super easy to make, and you’ll only need a few supplies. Bee Balm is perennial in zones 4 to 9 and can take partial shade. Bee balm tea relieves not just itchy skin caused by bug bites, but also alleviates skin issues such as eczema, rashes, and poison ivy. 4 For topical fungal infections, try a wash made from bee balm tea, in addition to taking it internally as a tincture or tea. Bee balm is what is known as a diffusive herb – one that breaks up stagnation and releases fluid from tissues. Monarda flowers and leaves ready to make tea. I have not tried using the middle part of my bee balm flowers to make tea, so it may have a different flavor. New Jersey tea is a nitrogen fixing shrub native to North America. I tried the tea and found it delicious. How To Make Basil Pesto Using Basil Leaves, Easy Baked Okra Fries Recipe (Oven Or Air-Fryer), How To Dry Cayenne Peppers To Prepare For Storage, Terms Of Use, Disclaimer and Privacy Policy, 3-4 fresh picked or dried bee balm leaves (or use as many as you like for desired flavor). So make sure you to do your research before you decide if this is something you’d like to try. This beneficial tea not only tastes great, but is good for helping fight off colds and the flu. Home » Cocktails & Beverages » How to Make Bee Balm Tea. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. I love this! Name and Origin of Bee Balms. It has purported anti-septic and … They’ll last up to a year. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing, aromatic herbal tea. How to Make Bee Balm Tea from fresh or dried bee balm ~ this easy infusion is not only pretty and delicious, it’s been used for hundreds of years to aid digestion, calm nerves, and treat colds and flu. Having itchy and irritated skin is no fun, but bee balm tea is a strong after-bite remedy to try. Try 1 tablespoon of dried flower petals or 2 tablespoons of fresh petals to every cup of water. It’s beautiful, comes back year after year, and can be divided and shared over and over again. You can make bee balm tea using both the leaves and the flowers. The tea, after being cooled, can be applied as a skin wash to treat damaged and inflamed skin. Se ven fabulosos en parches grandes, como se ve en la foto de mi jardín en la parte superior de este artículo. Herbal teas of all kinds can be soothing…try filling a small muslin bag with dried bee balm and adding to your hot bath in the winter for a relaxing aromatherapy experience…it’s sheer heaven! It produces white flowers that provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. I’m growing bee balm for the first time this year, still waiting for blossoms, but now I can hardly wait to try your tea-making method. Both flowers and leaves are edible, and they make fabulous herbal tea. <3. The petals have a subtle, layered flavor and make an excellent salad garnish. After you make oswego tea a few times, you’ll know exactly how much you like to use for each cup. You’ll also find it growing wild with shorter stems and lavender or white flowers. Some species of bee balm emit a light minty fragrance. You can make it using freshly picked bee balm, or you can dry it first. There is insufficient reliable information available about how Oswego tea might work. Plus it is easy to make with only a few ingredients, and supplies you probably already have on hand. You’re welcome! Step 3: Fill the cup – Pour boiling water over the top of the tea to fill the cup, and then stir it around to remove any air bubbles that may be inside of the infuser. The hotter summer gets, the more I crave iced drinks, and since I have a gorgeous patch of raspberry hued bee balm growing in my yard this year I’m making an easy cold brew tea with the vivid petals. 🙂. Mix 8 ounces of bee balm oil with 1 ounce of beeswax to help thicken it up for application. The story goes that colonists starting making bee balm tea in the Boston Tea Party era when they were boycotting British black tea, but the Native Americans were doing it way before that. The flowers are also edible. Bee Balm Name. Bee balm tea is a digestive aid that helps relieve nausea, upset stomach and gas. The blossoms do come late…hope you enjoy it . Bee balm flowers are brilliant additions to late-summer herb gardens and flower borders. Can that part be used for tea as well? I wasn’t able to track down any scientific studies confirming or denying these claims, but it’s nonetheless interesting to learn how bee balm has been used over the years. Herbal tea prepared from bee balm is effective for combating oral problems like Dental Caries, Tooth Aches and Gingivitis. The genus was named for the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes, who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World. You can also add the flowers, but that’s optional. Red flowering bee balm is also known as Oswego Tea, since some Native American tribes in New York’s Oswego region used it. Though there are many known health benefits of drinking oswego tea, there are also some possible side effects. It comes in various shades from brilliant red and pink to lavender and white. Hello, I was wondering why the flower petals have to be fresh? It is advantageous for the Stomach.