Wild bergamot (bee balm)

Monarda fistulosa

Edible plant

Native American

Photo credit: Eric Hunt

Toxicity: Low at culinary/tea doses; concentrated essential oil (thymol) is irritant.

Contraindications: Pregnancy (avoid concentrated oil); thymol sensitivity.

Interactions: None well documented at tea dose.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid concentrated oil in pregnancy.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

steam inhalation · leaf/flower

Part used: leaf/flower

Evidence:Folk

poultice · leaf/flower

Part used: leaf/flower

Traditional use: skin infections/wounds (antiseptic)(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)

Evidence:Folk

infusion (tea) · leaf/flower

Part used: leaf/flower

Traditional use: mouth/throat infections, colds, fevers, stomach/bronchial complaints

Proposed mechanism: essential oil with thymol/carvacrol (antiseptic/antimicrobial in vitro)

Evidence:Preclinical

Edible parts: Leaves and flowers (culinary herb / herbal tea, oregano-thyme aroma).

Distinctive Lamiaceae (square stem, tubular flowers); no dangerous lookalike at the food level.

Aromatic, low-calorie; flavonoids.

Native American

Sources (3)