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