beckoning

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Bountiful Bee Balm


We have bee balm….. I mean have we got bee balm!!! My mom tried to rip the bee balm out, but it has relentlessly continued to grow. This was all before we started a lifestyle change. I was recently looking into flowers we can grow in complete shade and also use on the dinner table. Bee balm happened to appear on a list I pulled up.
Bee balm, now that struck my fancy! So I looked into it and let me tell you, bee balm will no longer be torn out of the garden! Every part of the plant can be used. Every single part! Talk about no waste.
 So, why bee balm, what does it do? Well you can use it internally and externally.  Let’s start off with its family, the mint family. That said, most of us would know we could use the leaves to make mint tea, mint water, etc. The flower petals are also edible, making an attractive pop of color in salads. So what does this plant do to help you internally? Well it helps with general digestion, gas, poor appetite, colic, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.  It is also said to help with menstrual cramps and insomnia.
Be balm can also be used externally. Steamed in hot water mint can help to sooth cold symptoms, sore throat, fever, and congestion. As an ointment it is used to speed the healing of minor wounds, insect bites/stings, eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, and acne, as well as a pain reliever. Make a compress out of a cloth soaked in bee balm tea to use its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Finally, we all hate being attacked by bugs. You can rub bee balm leaves on your skin to act as insect repellent. However, this can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun resulting in burns.
As always be careful using natures bounty if you have allergies, thyroid issues, or are pregnant. Use with caution and do some research before using to make sure this is safe for you and/or your family.
Pages used to gather info:

1 comment:

  1. I have had bee balm for years, but all of a sudden this year it did not do well. It is crowded out now by what I call wild little sunflowers. Never knew it had so many uses.

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