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Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
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‘Raspberry wine’ bee balm (Monarda ‘Raspberry wine’) is a bee balm cultivar of the native Monarda didyma.
Bee balm is named for the ability of its resin to sooth the pain from bee stings. It is a perennial with a history of edible and medicinal uses.
Bee balm can be found in partial shade to full sun. It has square stems and opposite leaves. The plant flowers July-August.
Bee balm leaves can be used as a flavoring. They have notes of citrus, mint, and oregano.
Flowers can also be used as a flavoring. They have a similar oregano-like flavor with added floral notes.
Leaves and flowers can also be used as an herbal tea or to infuse vinegar or liquor. Bee balm tea is used medicinally for indigestion, UTI’s, and as a relaxant.
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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.
