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Bergamot

Monarda didyma (or spp.)

Folk names: Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Orange Balm

Warning: Pregnancy + Interactions

As with all EMMENAGOGUES, do not use if you are pregnant as it can cause contractions of the uterus (which can be relaxing and even helpful for difficult periods). This particular plant is a mild emmenagogue but it should be used with extreme caution.

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DO NOT MIX WITH VALERIAN - this has been known to cause vomiting.

Appropriation Warning

While Europeans, astrologers (hence the planetary and elemental aspects), witches, and people from all parts of the world (indicated by it's Traditional Chinese Medicine name) have used Bergamot for generations, this plant's history and saga begin with indigenous North Americans and not with us. I plant and harvest my own bee balm as I am a friend of the pollinators, however USE CAUTION when using any plants that we inherit from those that we have committed egregious harm to.

Planet: Mercury, Venus
Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
Sacred among: Indigenous North American populations (particularly plains and northeast)
Chakra: Heart

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Mei guo bo he

Taste:

  • Hot

  • Pungent

  • Sweet

  • Sour

Energy:

  • Cooling

  • Warming

  • Diffusive

  • Stimulating

  • Relaxing

Magical Uses

  • Balance

  • Binding

  • Happiness

  • Healing

  • Hex-Breaking

  • Love

  • Money

  • Passion

  • Peace

  • Prosperity

  • Protection

  • Purification

  • Sexuality

  • Sleep

  • Success

  • Sun magic

*Bonus: Attracts pollinators, important to so many deities and types of magic

Medicinal Uses

(This information has been collected from Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine as well as The Herbal Academy of New England, it has NOT been confirmed by Licensed Herbalist)

  • Alterative

  • Anti-fungal

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Antipyretic

  • Antispasmodic

  • Antithelmintic

  • Carminative

  • Diaphoretic

  • Diuretic

  • Emmenagogue

  • Expectorant

  • Nervine

  • Rubefacient

  • Styptic

WARNING: Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc. ​

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Part of the reason that we list Medical Jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract

medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

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When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantagous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

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