Good day! The plant in the spotlight today is Wild Bergamot. Despite its name being the same, wild bergamot has no relation to the citrus fruit bergamot, whose extracts are often used in perfumes and cosmetics. Wild bergamot does have a similar aroma to citrus bergamot though, which is the reason for the name.
The Latin name for this plant is Monarda Fistulosa.
This plant is a wildflower in the mint family Lamiaceae. The flowers and leaves are where the medicinal properties are concentrated, so if you're harvesting this plant yourself it's recommended to clip off the top twenty-five percent of the plant stalks, then remove the flowers and leaves and discard the stalks.
Wild bergamot is considered a carminative, meaning it can help relieve gas, indigestion, and bloating. It's also a decongestant and expectorant, which makes it a good herb to use to treat common colds since it thins mucus secretions so the body can expel it more easily. It also has some nervous system properties, making it helpful in lessening mild anxiety and depression. A warning: be cautious about this plant if you're taking oral contraceptives! Several sources said there isn't solid evidence that it will interfere with the medications, but that it's possible.
Have a magical day,
Jenny
PLANT INGESTION WARNING!
As with all herbs and plants you plan to ingest, never ingest them before doing your own research and/or talking with your doctor - it’s possible that medications you take or health conditions you have could have a negative effect if paired with wild bergamot. Better safe than sorry!
Photo credit goes to Eric Hunt
