#horsemint

[faguscarolinensis]

Monarda punctata / Eastern Horsemint

[dvoeverie-stitches]

Beebalm (Monarda spp.) Part 2

Part 1

A Modern Herbal, Volumes 1 & 2 : Margaret Grieve : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

A Modern Herbal, Volumes 1 & 2 : Margaret Grieve : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

HORSEMINT, BEE BALM.

Botanical name: Monarda fistulosa, Monarda punctata, Mentha canadensis

Description: Natural Order, Labiatae. The genus to which this plant belongs, is characterized by an elongated and striated calyx, and a ringent-tubular corolla, of which the upper lip is linear and has the two stamens ascending under it. The species PUNCTATA has a square stem two to three feet high, obtusely angled, and the whole plant minutely pubescent. Leaves oblong- lanceolate, tapering to a petiole, remotely serrate, nearly two inches long. Flowers in a few dense verticils, subtended by colored bracts which are longer than the verticils; corolla pale-yellow, marked strongly with brown spots. Grows abundantly in somewhat thin soils, from New Jersey westward and southward. In the West it is often four feet high and openly branched. Blooms in August and September. The mentha canadensis, a grayish pubescent plant, with a hairy calyx, purple corollas, and no colored bracts below the verticils is often mistaken for this plant, as both are popularly called horsemint. The monarda fistulosa is also called horsemint and wild bergamot; and has a purplish and hollow stem, leaves from two to four inches long on petioles half an inch long, and whitish-blue corollas an inch in length. The properties of the three plants are somewhat similar, but the monarda punctata is the most valuable.

Properties and Uses: This herb is diffusively stimulating and relaxant, of the distinctly carminative nervine and anti-spasmodic order. It makes a grateful and useful addition to diaphoretic drinks in the treatment of recent colds, catarrhal and typhus fevers, and measles; and sustains the nervous peripheries and outward circulation well. It is used by infusion. By distillation it yields a moderate quantity of a yellow-green oil, which is very fragrant, and forms an excellent ingredient in nervine liniments containing such articles as tincture of lobelia and oil of rosemary. Oil of origanum is often substituted for it; but monarda possesses a nervine action not found in the more fiery origanum.

The Physiomedical Dispensatory, 1869, was written by William Cook, M.D.

Monarda Punctata. Horsemint, Bee Balm. | Henriette's Herbal Homepage

A list of further entries at henriettes-herb.com

Search | Henriette's Herbal Homepage

I couldn’t find a lot about it magically in book sources but here is a bit I found online:

Monarda can also be used as a purifying and cleansing herb.

It is generally considered to be ruled by Mercury and the element of Air. Due to these planetary associations, it’s sometimes used in spells for money or success in business/academic endeavors.

For purifying, pack some fresh leaves into a large muslin tea bag and place it under your bath faucet. You can also brew Monarda leaves into a tea, strain out the plant matter, add the liquid to a bath, and fully submerge yourself.

To purify spaces or groups of people, bundle fresh Monarda stems together, dip them in salt water, and use them to asperge.

Monarda is known to attract bees, as well as ease their stings. Since it’s connected to Mercury and Air, it’s also used as a success herb. Brew a strong tea from the leaves and use it to wash your front door and steps to attract success to your door like bees to a flower. You can also add this tea to floor washes, if you wish.

it acts as a general attractant — magically drawing in your desires the same way that the flowers call to hummingbirds, moths, and bees. Its flavor and scent are delicious and intriguing without being overpowering, so it’s an excellent addition to brews, kitchen witchery, and spell jars. (Most members of the mint family smell pretty acrid when burned, however, so I’d avoid putting it in incense.)

Wild Bergamot/Bee Balm Folklore and Magical Properties

Monarda species, also known as bee balm, Oswego tea, and wild bergamot, is one of my favorite native flowers. The blooms themselves are stri

[mothmiso]

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) by Holly Kilpatrick

[thekimdelacreme]

[plantaeee]

The rudbeckia and monarda punctata are blooming!

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Sunday 29 November 2020

The old flower stems of the spreading perennial Mentha longifolia (horse mint, buddleia mint, brook mint, water mint, long-leaved mint) look like vertical silver sculptures until the winter weather starts to erode them. This herb has long green-grey leaves with a musty scent and nectar-rich tapering spires of tiny, pale purple or white flowers valued by pollinators.

Jill Raggett

[forsythiahill]

If you like freaky plants, these 2 Monarda plants are wonderfully STRANGE.

The white and gold speckled is a Virginia native plant, perennial Monarda punctata referred to as Dotted Beebalm or Horsemint.

The purple is annual Monarda Citriadora or Lemon Mint. 

So far I’ve not seen a lot of bee action, but I’m patiently waiting and watching.

[continent-of-wild-endeavor]

Cool monarda! Horsemint or Spotted Bee Balm, aka Monarda punctata.