Can you eat Monarda leaves?
Both the leaves and the flowers are edible and used for teas. Harvest stems to dry for tea in early summer, before the plants bloom. The plants will regrow after cutting, then bloom.
Can I eat bee balm leaves?
The Leaves and flowers of this plant are edible and nutritious and can be added to salads soups and sandwiches for a surprising flavor enhancer. Bee balm is an antiseptic, carminative (an agent that relieves flatulence), a diaphoretic (an agent that promotes perspiration). Dried bee balm leaves are often used as a spice in many food dishes, tasting similar to oregano or thyme. Fresh leaves can be used to add spice to beverages and salads. Bee balm is part of the mint family. The citrus minty flavor in the flowers will enhance salads, desserts, and teas.The aromatic leaves are the most common and can be used fresh or dried. The flowers are excellent fresh sprinkled on salads and other dishes, but lose their punch after drying. Dried bee balm leaves can be used anywhere you would use dried oregano or thyme. Salmoriglio sauce is a classic at my house.The fresh green leaves of the plant add a great flavor to sauces, especially tomato sauces, soups, marinades and vinaigrettes, and basically anywhere you’d use fresh oregano or thyme. Fresh, I use the leaves to make salmoriglio sauce. It’s one of my favorite things to do with the plant.
Can I use bee balm leaves for tea?
Gather edible leaves and flowers in bloom, dry on small bundles in paper bags in a dry, well ventilated area. Bee Balm can be used as tea, or as an aromatic suitable for sachets and potpourri. Bee Balm seed matures late summer-fall. Seed is ready to harvest when brown and dry. Store seeds in a cool, dry place. Seeds are viable for 2 years.
How to use bee balm leaves?
The aromatic leaves serve as a substitute for mint and can be dried for tea. Dried leaves and flowers are also useful in sachets and potpourri. A native wildflower hybridized for gardens, the flowers of bee balm are at their peak in summer. Bee balm can be eaten freshly picked or dried out. Often referred to as Oswego tea (from the Oswego Native Americans), historically, the Oswego people brewed tea from the leaves of the bee balm plant. The leaves will have a slightly stronger taste than the flowers.
When to harvest bee balm leaves?
Timing: The ideal time to harvest bee balm is when the flowers have just started to open fully but haven’t completely bloomed. This stage typically occurs in mid to late summer when the flowers are vibrant and fragrant. However, you should cut back your bee balm in the fall if it suffered from powdery mildew during the growing season. Pruning helps prevent this disease from spreading. To further reduce mildew issues, use proper plant spacing (18 to 24 inches) and water at the base.
What is the difference between bee balm and Monarda?
Essentially, all bee balm plants belong to the Monarda genus, but not all Monarda plants are necessarily referred to as bee balm. This genus includes various species, some of which have different names depending on regional preferences or specific characteristics. Also called Bradbury’s Bee Balm, this Monarda is shorter and more compact than the popular classic prairie plant Monarda fistulosa, or Wild Bergamot. Bradbury’s Monarda is an excellent choice for home landscaping, tolerating sun and shade conditions and average garden soil.