Bee Balm

A native North American plant and member of the mint family (Lamiaceae).  Bee Balm leaves are aromatic and are useful for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The beautiful, spiked flowers are also edible and make a great addition to salads, pizzas, or as garnishes.   You may hear it referred to as “wild bergamot”.  While Bee Balm or Wild Bergamot is excellent for making a medicinal tea, it should not be confused with Bergamot tea or Earl Grey Tea.  Earl Grey tea is made from black tea and the bergamot orange which is a citrus fruit grown in the Mediterranean.

Why should you make tea with Bee Balm?  It’s loaded with antioxidants that protect cells from free-radical damage.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties, boosts digestion, and is a great remedy for indigestion.