Lamiaceae
Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: North America
Also known as: Wild Bergamot, Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Purple Monarda
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlower
Therapeutic Uses
Respiratory infections, colds, flu, digestive complaints, flatulence, sore throat (gargle), skin infections (topical). Traditional Oswego/Iroquois medicine. Thymol content provides strong antimicrobial action.
Herbal Actions
Antimicrobial, carminative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant
Active Constituents
Volatile oils (thymol, carvacrol, linalool, geraniol), flavonoids, tannins
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture⚗️ Essential Oil
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min covered, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Excellent fresh herb tea. All parts aromatic and medicinal. Original Oswego tea used as substitute during Boston Tea Party. Combine with elderflower for fever management. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid therapeutic doses in pregnancy. Essential oil may cause skin sensitization. No significant drug interactions.
Side Effects: Contact dermatitis from essential oil. Mild GI effects. Generally very well tolerated.