Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 

Other names: Liberty Tea, Oswego Tea, Red Mint, Scarlet Monarda, Firecracker Plant (1).

Bee balm is a member of the mint family. It is most useful for making herbal teas and attracting hummingbirds. When mixed with black tea, it is said to have a citrusy flavor similar Earl Grey tea. That is why it is sometimes called “Bergamot” due to its similarity in flavor to another very different Bergamot plant, Citrus bergamia or “Bergamot Orange” used in the Earl Greys. Used alone, it is called “Oswego Tea” used as a medicine for PMS, digestive disorders, gas, anxiety, etc. (Web MD on Oswego Tea).

Following the Boston Tea Party, some mid-Atlantic patriots used it instead of British black tea, hence the name “liberty tea.” “Oswego” is the name of an American Indian tribe in the area that had been growing the herb first.

Growth and Propagation

In the US, its native range is along the east coast from Georgia through Canada and also in Washington and Oregon State (2). It is a perennial and can be grown by seed or separated at the roots. The seeds are very fine and small, appear in pods, and mature 1-3 weeks after flowering (2). When grown from seed, it may not bloom the first year, but it should bloom the second year. Just make sure it has plenty of room and is not crowded out by neighboring plants. When separating the root system, do so in the spring before the plant shoots up stems.

Softwood cuttings of the stem in the late spring are a third option for propagation (2). I have successfully rooted it in water without any rooting hormone. You may want to take several cuttings in case some do not sprout roots.



Pests and Disease

Powdery mildew is sometimes a problem on bee balm. It will produce a fine white powdery appearance on leaves. Jacob Cline is a mildew resistant variety. More information about controlling powdery mildew problems can be found here.

As it grows, thin out any leaves or stems packed densely together to make sure there is good air circulation between the plants. Remove all fallen leaves that were infected. Water the base instead of the leaves. Mulch the bed early in the season. Several home remedies include:

Milk:

• Mix 50% milk and 50% water and spray on leaves of infected plant.

Baking Soda:

• 2 tablespoons baking soda per gallon during cooler temperatures. In hot weather, cut back to 1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon of water. 
• Smaller size preparations:
• 3/8 tsp per 8 oz water (half the amt. baking soda in hot weather)
• 1.5 tsp per 32 oz water (3/4 tsp in hot weather)

Primary Oil: Thymol

Thymol

Essential oil of Monarda didyma L. was found in greatest percentage the oil thymol. Thymol has antibacterial/antimicrobial/antifungal properties and is also found in large percentage in common thyme, Thymus vulgarus. It is an active ingredient in many mouthwashes.

The percentages of oils listed refer to, first, stem and leaves and, second, flowers: “thymol (57.3% and 51.7%, respectively), γ-terpinene (9.3% and 14.3%), p-cymene (10.5% and 9.7%), δ-3-carene (4.5% and 6.2%) and myrcene (3.7% and 3.7%)” (3).

Bibliography

1. Roth, Harold A. Monarda Didyma. Alchemy Works. [Online] [Cited: March 25, 2013.] http://www.alchemy-works.com/monarda_didyma.html .

2. USDA. Monarda Didyma L. USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. [Online] [Cited: April 2, 2013.] http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=modi.

3. Chemical Composition, Antifungal and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Monarda didyma L. Essential Oil. Fraternale, D. et al. 5, s.l. : Journal of Essential Oil Research, 2006, Vol. 18. 10412905.