Bee Balm Oil

October 11, 2024 Post a Comment

Bee balm oil

Bee Balm essential oil is a sweet, herbaceous essence distilled from purple Bee Balm flowers. Found and foraged in the wilds of Canada, this honey-making herb is also known as Oswego tea and horsemint. The oil is gentle yet effectively antiviral, antibacterial, and mildly astringent.

What can bee balm be used for?

Bee balm is used in modern herbal medicine to expel gas, to relieve nausea, in menstrual cramps, and as an expectorant to soothe sore throats (Foster 2006). Scientific research on the clinical effects of Monarda is lacking, but several of the components found in the essential oil from some species, such as M.

What does bee balm repel?

Bee Balm Also known as Horsemint, this is a great mosquito repelling plant for Midwest and Eastern growing zones. This perennial is easy to grow because it's shade-tolerant and drought-resistant.

How do you make bee balm infused oil?

To make a salve, first infuse a carrier oil such as olive oil or almond oil with the bee balm by mixing equal weights dried bee balm petals with the oil of choice. Let the oil infuse for as little as a week up to a month in a warm place. Then strain the oil to remove the petals.

Is bee balm poisonous to dogs?

Are Bee Balm Poisonous to Dogs? Bee balm's tall stalks, colorful flowers, and aromatic scent are attractive for your playful dog to roll around or rub against. The plant is considered safe for canines.

What animal eats bee balm?

Bee Balm is subject to a few common pests, including: Aphids. Whiteflies. Spider mites.

Does bee balm attract wasps?

Monarda fistulosa Wild bergamot is one of several plants also known by the common name of bee balm. Wild bergamot attracts a number of specialist bees, bumble bees, predatory wasps, hummingbirds, and hawk moths.

How long should you infuse oil?

Infuse the oils at room temperature for 1 to 10 days—the intensity of the flavor increases over time. Oil may be heated to 140°F for 5 minutes to more quickly infuse the oil. Avoid higher temperatures that could damage the flavor of the oil.

What does bee balm smell like?

Stems are square shaped like other mints, and the leaves are pointed lancets, which grow in opposite pairs. They grow to about 3 feet tall. When you rub the leaves or flowers, they smell like a cross between mint and oregano. Some varieties give off lemony scents.

Does bee balm attract a lot of bees?

Attracting Pollinators The brilliant red flowers of bee balm are a magnet for butterflies, honeybees, and hummingbirds. The seed heads, if not deadheaded, will attract birds in the fall and winter. Pink and purple bee balm are even more likely to attract bees than the red variety.

Is bee balm antifungal?

The largest component of bee balm is thymol, a common mouthwash ingredient which acts as an antifungal and antioxidant3. Interestingly, the bee balm plant also has a natural herbicidal and parasitic toxicity potential, which would reduce the chemical pollution of alternative methods2,4.

Is bee balm antibacterial?

Prized for its antimicrobial properties, bee balm helps kill germs, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Generally, antimicrobials like bee balm are used for fighting infections of the respiratory and digestive tracts, skin, or other areas of the body.

Can bee balm be eaten?

Bee balm's attractive colors and minty orange scent is favorite for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. It is also a tasty edible addition for people. All above ground parts of the plant are edible. The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked.

Do hummingbirds like bee balm?

Bee Balm (Monarda) As its name suggests, this perennial plant attracts bees, but it's also a hummingbird magnet.

Why do they call it bee balm?

Native Americans infused the Monarda plant in tea to treat lung ailments like colds and flu and used it topically as an antiseptic for wounds and to reduce the swelling of bee stings — hence, its common name: bee balm.

Does bee balm come back every year?

Bee balm is a hardy perennial plant that requires little care. Whether planted in a garden area or in a container, it will return each season and will have likely spread. A few easy steps will prepare the plant for the cold weather. Cut the plant to the ground in mid-autumn.

Does bee balm attract mosquitoes?

Bee balm will bring many pollinators to your garden like bees, hummingbirds and butterflies but mosquitoes don't like it. This plant is commonly used in jellies, tea and as a delicious garnish for salads and other dishes. Nepta contains the chemical nepetalactone which is a strong mosquito repellent.

Does bee balm repel rodents?

BEE BALM and Lemon balm are two distinct herbs, alike in many ways. Both belong to Labiatae, the mint family. Both herbs are hardy perennials, easy to grow, attract bees, yet repel pests.

What smell do bees hate?

Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.

What is the best oil to infuse?

Olive and sunflower oils are good choices. Be sure to use fresh oil so that the infusion will last longer. A glass jar. Canning jars work nicely, but any jar with a lid will do.