31 lines
1.5 KiB
Plaintext
31 lines
1.5 KiB
Plaintext
|
BERGAMOT
|
||
|
|
--------
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Other Names: Monarda, Monarda didyma, Scarlet Monarda, Oswego tea, bee
|
||
|
|
balm, Red bee balm.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Habitat: This prolific perennial herb bears scarlet flowers
|
||
|
|
beloved by bees for their nectar. It's hard, square,
|
||
|
|
grooved stems grow up to 3 feet tall, and the rough,
|
||
|
|
dark, paired leaves which branch off from them, when
|
||
|
|
crushed, exude an exotic fragrance strongly reminiscent
|
||
|
|
of bergamot oranges. Bergamot is very easy to grow,
|
||
|
|
perferring a light moist soil in either sun or shade.
|
||
|
|
However, as with all the other mints, you will have to
|
||
|
|
keep an eye on its roots to make sure they do not begin
|
||
|
|
to strangle your other herbs. (Many gardners plant mints
|
||
|
|
in boxes or pots only for this very reason). Such is the
|
||
|
|
exuberance of the bergamot, you will probably be able to
|
||
|
|
divide it every 3 years, keeping one clump and giving
|
||
|
|
away the others to your friends.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Properties: Bergamot is a rich source of thymol, an aromatic
|
||
|
|
antiseptic substance used extensively in modern medicine
|
||
|
|
and dentistry. The chief value of the herb for the
|
||
|
|
herbalist, however, is as an infusion to benefit an upset
|
||
|
|
stomache, nausea, and vomiting.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Tea: Infuse 1 teaspoon dried bergamot in 1 covered cup boiling
|
||
|
|
water for fifteen minutes. Strain and add honey to
|
||
|
|
flavour.
|