Monarda - the secrets of growing outdoors. Aromatic plant and beautiful flower

Many property owners are thinking about how to beautifully decorate the area near their home.

They create various flower arrangements and plant perennial plants.

In landscape design, preference has recently begun to be given to shrubs and herbaceous plants.

They decorate the areas with their original look, fit well together.

One such plant is monarda. This perennial is loved by many gardeners.

Planting and caring for monarda open ground does not require special costs and effort. Having become familiar with some of the features of its cultivation, you can get very beautiful plant with a pleasant aroma.

Monarda flower is a beautiful herbaceous annual or perennial. Monarda, or bergamot, belongs to the Lamiaceae family.

The leaves of the plant contain essential oils, so monarda is also used as a spice. Since ancient times, bergamot has been added to tea to make it more aromatic.

Bergamot is also known for its antipyretic properties.

Monarda grows in North America. There it is especially common, often even as a weed. Bergamot came to us in the 16th century.

This amazing plant was discovered by the botanist Monardes, after whom this crop was named. Monardes himself called the plant Canadian oregano.

In our country it is called American lemon balm, bergamot. You can also often hear the name Oswego tea or lemon balm.

Monarda is now used as decorative flower. It has also become widespread in landscape design.

Bergamot is also added when making tea. This drink improves immunity and improves health.

The plant is a shrub that grows up to 60-100 cm in height. Stems are slightly pubescent. Monarda is distinguished by its weighty rhizome.

Bergamot leaves are dark green, slightly jagged, oblong in shape.

The aroma of foliage can be different: you can smell the smell of lemon, mint, lemon balm. During flowering, small inflorescences are formed.

Flowers are red, white, purple. Sometimes you can see the variegated colors of the inflorescences.

The fruit of bergamot looks like a nut. The seeds are inside this fruit.

Perennial varieties of bergamot can grow in one place for 5 years. After that experienced gardeners It is recommended to carry out anti-aging pruning of the bush.

At the moment there are approximately 16-20 species of plants.

You can grow only some of them on your plots. In landscape design, preference is given to perennial shrubs.

Annual crop species

Gardeners often choose monrada to grow because of its aroma. A very tasty and aromatic tea is brewed from the leaves. Of the annual species, the plant is distinguished - monarda citrus.

This shrub grows in height from 15 to 100 cm. The height of the plant depends on the specific variety.

The stems of citrus monarda are oblong and green.

Flowering begins in May and continues until July.

Bergamot inflorescences are purple. During flowering, a sweet smell is formed around the plant, which attracts many insects.

The leaves are used in preparing many dishes. They taste like lemon.

Types of perennial monarda

Perennial monarda will be an excellent option for landscaping. The following types are found:

Monarda tubular– it is also called pipe-shaped. Distributed in eastern North America.

It is grown to produce spicy herbs.

Tubular types can grow up to 60-120 cm depending on the variety.

The leaves of the plant are oblong, with jagged edges. Blooms with lilac inflorescences.

Their shape is spherical, diameter is 7 cm. Tubular varieties are used in medicine, cosmetology and perfumery, since the plant contains essential oils.

Croftey Punk

Mahogany

Cardinal

Monarda hybrid- has gained enormous popularity.

Exists a large number of different varieties, differing in the shade of flowering, the height of the bush, and the shape of the leaves.

The most popular varieties are: Croftey Punk, Scarlett, Mahogany, Cardinal, Blue Stocking;

Monarda doublet– a shrub up to 80 cm tall, common in the Great Lakes.

It grows very quickly and strongly.

The stems of the species are erect, the foliage is dark green rich color.

During flowering, inflorescences of pink, lilac, and white colors are formed.

How to plant monarda seeds in the ground

Monarda from seeds is an activity for hardworking gardeners. The germination of planting material is poor.

In addition, seeds often do not retain their properties. mother plant.

If you still decide to grow bergamot from seeds, this can be done in two ways: sowing directly into open ground or using seedlings.

For the warmest regions, the optimal time to sow is early March.

First, choose a place and cover it with film. This is necessary so that the ground under the film warms up and thaws.

Start sowing. Planting material placed in not yet heated soil naturally will undergo the procedure stratification.

The seeds are buried by 2 cm, the distance between the seeds is maintained at about 10-15 cm. The planting material is covered with film on top.

With the onset of warmth, shoots will appear. They will need to be straightened.

Shoots appear, as a rule, after 3 weeks. During this time, you need to sometimes ventilate the bed and water it as necessary.

Growing monarda from seeds to seedlings

Propagating bergamot by sowing seeds is quite a long process.

Growing without seedlings is an even more difficult option, since seed germination is poor.

This is why the seedling method is chosen when growing from seeds.

Sowing begins at the end of March or beginning of April.

For this:

1. Prepare containers that are filled with nutrient soil. You can buy it in a store or make it yourself. Mixed garden soil with peat, sand.
2. Containers with soil are watered. If the soil mixture is prepared independently, it must be additionally spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
3. Next, make grooves 1 cm deep.
4. The seeds are placed along the furrows and sprinkled with earth on top.
5. Cover with film or glass.
6. Place in a warm place until germination.

In approximately 5-10 days the first shoots should appear. At this stage, the film can be removed and the containers with seedlings can be moved to a brighter place.

When 2 true leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in separate pots. Their diameter must be at least 10 cm.

With the seedling method, bergamot blooms 14 days earlier.

You can plant seedlings in open ground in mid-May, if there are no night frosts.

Optimal conditions for planting monarda in the ground

Growing a healthy flowering plant is not difficult. To do this you need to provide it necessary conditions, among which:

1. Planting site - it is best to choose a sunny area, where the monarda will bloom longer and more abundantly.

You can also plant the plant where shade predominates half the day.

It is best if there are no strong gusts of wind in this area, as they can damage the stems and leaves.

When choosing a location, you also need to take into account the fact that monarda grows quite widely.

That is why you need to be guided and leave at least 1-1.5 m per plant.

1. Soil composition - the plant grows well in any soil.

It is best if the soil is low acidic. If the soil is very acidic, you can add lime or dolomite flour.

1. Humidity – water should not stagnate in the area; the soil should be constantly moist, but without stagnant water.
2. Fertilizers are applied when digging the soil in the fall. You can use humus, peat, superphosphate, potassium salt. After this, loosen everything thoroughly.

Planting monarda

Optimal time for planting in open ground - early spring or autumn.

In regions where cold weather and cold winters come early, it is recommended to plant bergamot in the spring.

Over the summer the plant will get stronger and take root well.

This way he will have a better chance of surviving the winter and not freezing out.

Correct fit looks like that:

1. First, loosen the soil, remove remnants of rhizomes of other plants, and get rid of weeds.
2. Apply some nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
3. Make holes based on the size of the plant. Sow seeds in furrows, just like seedlings. For seedlings, dig holes slightly larger than the size of the monarda rhizome.
4. Leave at least 50-70 cm between plants.
5. If water may stagnate in the area, add drainage to the bottom of the hole. Broken brick, gravel, crushed stone are suitable for this.
6. Next, place the seedlings in the holes, cover them with soil, and compact them so that the plant holds tightly.
7. After planting, water generously with water at room temperature.

How to care for monarda

Even an inexperienced gardener can cope with growing bergamot in the garden. The plant is unpretentious and grows on any soil.

With very little effort, you can grow an original, beautiful plant with a pleasant aroma that will decorate your area.

Bergamot should be watered regularly, adding water in moderation.

It is best to water in the evening.

Can be used warm water.

The amount of watering depends on weather conditions.

As a rule, the plant is watered twice a week. When the weather is very hot outside, you need to increase watering.

An important point is to remove weeds. Especially at the early stage of monrada development. Weeds taken from the soil nutrients, so it’s important to get rid of them regularly.

Loosening is carried out once a week. You need to loosen the soil very carefully, trying not to damage the roots. They are located at the monarda very close to the surface and grow horizontally.

To achieve more beautiful and long-lasting flowering, the shrub requires constant feeding. They are carried out from early spring until autumn.

Fertilizers can be purchased at flower shop. For example, it has worked well special remedy called Agricola.

You can also add organic fertilizers. Sometimes feed bergamot with mullein solution.

How to propagate by dividing a bush

This method is considered the fastest and easiest.

To propagate bergamot by dividing the bush, you need to do the following:

1. The optimal time for this is immediately after the snow melts, approximately in April.
2. For division, choose bushes that have reached 3-4 years of age.
3. First, carefully dig up the bush, trying not to damage it. root system.
4. Then the roots are washed with water.
5. The division is carried out with a sharp knife. Cut the rhizome into several parts.
6. Sections are processed charcoal. This is necessary so that they heal faster.
7. Next, separate parts are placed in pre-prepared holes, sprinkled with earth, and watered.

The divisions will grow in about 3-4 years.

Propagation by cuttings

Varietal bergamot bushes are propagated by cuttings. To do this you need:

1. Before flowering, cut cuttings 8-10 cm long.
2. Remove the green leaves from below.
3. Trim off the top.
4. Pour water into a container (pot, jar or other container).
5. Place the cuttings in a container for several days.
6. Plant the seedlings in pots with soil.
7. Cover with dark material and put in a dark place.

Rooting occurs within 2-3 weeks. Cuttings can be planted around July.

Possible diseases and pests

When growing monarda, gardeners rarely encounter a situation where the bush begins to hurt or is attacked by pests.

The most common disease is powdery mildew.

When a plant becomes infected with it, white powdery spots appear on the leaves. To avoid the appearance of powdery mildew, you must follow all the rules of agricultural cultivation.

It is important to choose the right distance between bushes and regularly get rid of weeds. Treatment with fungicides will help cope with the disease.

How to collect monarda seeds

For further propagation of bergamot using seeds, planting material is collected towards the end of summer or beginning of September.

The seeds of varietal monarda do not retain their parental properties.

The collected planting material is dried and put into containers for further storage.

The germination period of seeds is 3-4 years.

Preparing for winter

As a rule, our country is characterized by cold, long winters.

That is why it is necessary to carefully prepare the bush before the onset of cold weather. For the winter, the above-ground part is cut off.

Cover the top with spruce branches or dry leaves and peat. The monarda will spend the entire winter in this state.

With the onset of spring, the shelter is removed.

If winters in your region are warmer, frosts do not fall below -25°C, bergamot may not be covered for the winter.

Monarda in landscape design

This garden flower - monarda - can often be seen in landscape design in flower beds and mixborders.

The bush looks beautiful in the background flower arrangements.

Bergamot is often combined with phlox, bluebells, chamomile or rudbeckia. Unfortunately, monarda is not often seen on garden plots. These bushes near the house will add some piquancy and fill the house with a pleasant aroma of citrus or mint.

Caring for a plant is a pleasure, and the results will pleasantly surprise the owner. Bergamot will be for a long time grow in one place, decorating the site and delighting the owners.

Among others, concentrated aromatic extracts from plant raw materials of monarda have been studied as fragrant biologically active additives for cosmetics and products household chemicals in aerosol packaging. Monarda essential oil is used in the production of creams and balms by the famous Russian cosmetics company Mirra. This cosmetics does not contain artificial preservatives, and their role is played by essential oils.

Medicinal properties of monarda

Modern research into the medicinal properties of monarda is being carried out quite actively. Quite a lot of pharmacologically significant capabilities of this plant have been identified.

Monarda acts as a mild anthelmintic, and unlike others (santonin wormwood, citvar wormwood or synthetic drugs), it does not cause poisoning in case of overdose. The most important feature of monarda is the stimulation of cardiac activity and the ability to relieve cardiac neuroses, which is explained by the content of flavonoids and vitamin C in the leaves and flowers. Anthocyanins have a diuretic effect, and also strengthen the walls of capillaries and dilate the coronary vessels of the heart.

The Yalta Research Institute of Physical Methods of Treatment and Medical Climatology tested and received copyright certificates for the use of Monarda fistula EO as a radioprotective agent for the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and tracheitis, as a means of promoting the engraftment of foreign tissues, and as a blood preservative. The presence of flavonoid substances in the essential oil, which have a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, explains its effectiveness against various pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, etc.).

Despite the fairly wide range of immunomodulators available, the use of volatile essential oils, including monarda, in this capacity seems justified due to their inherent mild, prolonged immunomodulatory effect and the almost complete absence adverse reactions in the range of low (natural) concentrations used.

There is evidence that when the environment of an isolated room was saturated with natural dosages of volatile fractions of EOs, a decrease in the level of air microflora and atmospheric moisture condensate was noted. V.V. Nikolaevsky and co-authors (1988) found that essential oils of monarda, lavender, etc. affect the functional activity of T-lymphocytes. Monarda EO activates the function of the bursa of Fabricius of the thymus and spleen when their accidental involution is incomplete, causing immunodeficiency in broilers.

Of particular interest is the use of monarda EM for the treatment of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. Received in Adygei state university and Tomsk Medical Institute, the results showed high antimicrobial properties of EM monarda and the possibility of using it for aerating the air of auditoriums, classrooms, cinemas, medical, children's and others public premises, especially during outbreaks of influenza and other colds. It was effective against protozoa - Trichonosomes, Amoeba.

Monarda binate normalizes the cycle in case of dysfunction in young women; it is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Genus Monarda very promising as a source of antifungal substances active against representatives of three genera of molds (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor), which can release mycotoxins and thereby poison food, as well as against pathogens of fungal diseases, in particular Trichophyton mentagrophytes, causing shingles in humans and ringworm in animals.

Monarda essential oil is used to treat burns, eczema, and hair loss. For treatment you can take pure essential oil, as well as infusion, juice and gruel from leaves and inflorescences. Baths also promote the healing of wounds, ulcers, and eczema. Monarda helps well with acne, seborrhea, and peeling skin.

Monarda and its oil turned out to be promising for the creation of special recreational areas, which were located at hospitals, clinics and some children's. A significant improvement in the air environment of indoor spaces can be achieved by using for their “greening” plant species whose volatile emissions have pronounced phytoncidal properties, i.e. capable of suppressing vital activity. In this connection, it is recommended to use phytoncidal plants indoors to improve the health of the environment. Already at a concentration of 5 mg/m³, volatile emissions can change and improve the air environment. EM monarda reduced air contamination by staphylococcus, streptococcus, diphtheria and pertussis bacilli by 10 times.

The effect of monarda essential oil on the activity of metabolic processes, the rate of cell division and the state of cytoplasmic membranes was also studied. Monarda EM reduces the intensity of DNA synthesis, and the permeability of lymphocyte membranes decreases. At the same time, the number of viable lymphocytes does not decrease. When adding essential oil to a fibroblast culture: 0.5% emulsion leads to their death, and 0.005-0.0005% stimulates the growth and division of these cells.

From all that has been said above, it is clear that the most promising direction for using monarda is the development of antimicrobial, fungistatic and immunomodulatory agents based on it. It is also possible to use plants of the genus Monarda to create phytoncidal compositions to improve the habitat.

But the most interesting thing is that the effect is not limited to the antimicrobial effect. According to research, there is a comprehensive increase in immunity. In addition, the level of corticosterone in the body increases.

Monarda has a pronounced radioprotective effect (protects destructive effects from radiation). With total irradiation of mice at a dose of 1000 R, it increased the life expectancy of animals by 3.2 times and increased their survival rate by 18.3 times due to a decrease in death from secondary post-radiation bacterial complications, an increase in nonspecific resistance of the body, partial and temporary removal damage to the hematopoietic system.

The literature indicates such the most important properties monarda, as stimulation of cardiac activity and the ability to relieve neuroses, which is due to the content of flavonoids and ascorbic acid in the leaves and flowers (it accumulates most in the regrowth phase).

Plant pigments anthocyanins - substances of flavonoid nature - have a diuretic effect, strengthen the walls of capillaries and dilate the coronary vessels of the heart. The antisclerotic effect of monarda is associated with an inhibitory effect on lipid-oxidizing enzymes.

Use at home

Now a few words about how to use Monarda at home. As cold remedy take 2-3 tablespoons of crushed raw materials (fresh or dry leaves, inflorescences), pour 0.5 liters of water, boil for 8-10 minutes in a sealed container. Breathe the extract vapors for 10-15 minutes. Strain the infusion and drink it warm, ¼ cup 3-4 times a day. It is good to rinse your mouth and throat with this decoction.

Can cook infusion. To do this, boiling water and raw materials in the same proportions are infused for 15-20 minutes in a closed enamel or porcelain container.

If you are prone to allergies or have very sensitive skin, it is still better to prefer chamomile or calendula.

Against salmonella. Pour two tablespoons of crushed monarda raw material into two glasses of boiling water. Strain the cooled infusion and drink throughout the day.

Photo: Elena Malankina, Rita Brilliantova

Plant monarda (lat. Monarda) represents a genus of perennial and annual herbs of the Lamiaceae or Lamiaceae family, which includes about 20 species native to North America, where they grow from Canada to Mexico. The monarda flower was named by Carl Linnaeus in honor of Nicolas Monardes, a Spanish doctor and botanist who published a book in 1574 describing the plants of America. Monardes himself called the Monarda virginian soul or Canadian oregano. In Europe, monarda began to be grown as an essential oil crop, and by 19th century it has become widely known throughout the world under the names bergamot, lemon balm or American lemon balm.

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Planting and caring for monarda (in brief)

• Landing: sowing seeds in the ground - in the snow in February or autumn, immediately after collecting the seeds.
• Bloom: from July to the end of September.
• Lighting: bright sun or partial shade.
• The soil: light calcareous soils.
• Watering: frequent but moderate, daily and abundant in dry weather.
• Feeding: from mid-May to early autumn once every two weeks with liquid mullein (1:10) or complex mineral fertilizers.
• Reproduction: by cuttings or dividing bushes that have reached three to four years of age. Only species monarda can be propagated by seed.
• Pests: aphids or weevils.
• Diseases: powdery mildew, rust, tobacco mosaic virus.

Read more about growing monarda below.

Monarda flower - description

So, monarda-bergamot is a perennial or annual rhizomatous plant with straight or branched stems up to one and a half meters high, with oblong-lanceolate, straight, toothed and often fragrant leaves, as well as small, fragrant two-lipped flowers of white, purple, red, yellowish color , sometimes even speckled, collected in dense capitate or racemose inflorescences up to 6-7 cm in diameter, which are most often located on the stem one above the other. The fruit of the monarda is a nut; the seeds that ripen in it remain viable for three years. Monarda is grown in one area for 5-7 years. Monarda attracts not only the color of its flowers, but also its amazing aromas. It is used as a spice in cooking, added to tea, and is also good as a honey plant.

Growing monarda from seeds

Sowing monarda

In the southern regions, monarda seeds are sown directly into the ground on fine days in February, where they undergo natural stratification over the course of two cold months, as a result of which friendly, strong shoots appear already in April, which only need to be thinned out. If there is snow on the site, remove it, cover the area with film so that the ground warms up, then loosen the soil by adding upper layer a little sand and, mixing the seeds with sand in a ratio of 1:4, sow them. The seeds are also lightly covered with sand on top. The planting depth should be no more than 2.5 cm. You can sow in the ground in the fall, immediately after collecting the seeds, and in the spring you just prick up the seedlings, then in a year the grown and strengthened bushes will bloom. Monarda emerges very slowly.

Monarda seedlings

However, most often monarda is grown in seedlings. In order to obtain monarda seedlings by spring, they are sown in January or February in boxes with soil for vegetable crops, covering the seeds to 2-2.5 cm, and place them in a greenhouse, maintaining the temperature under the film at least 20 ºC. Shoots appear after three weeks, and after another three weeks the seedlings are planted in containers according to a 3x3 or 4x4 pattern to increase the feeding area for them.

Planting monarda

When to plant monarda

Planting and caring for monarda in open ground is not difficult. Monarda prefers to grow in areas protected from the wind. sunny place, although it feels good in partial shade. It is not picky about soils, but grows best on light, calcareous soils, while monarda develops poorly in damp and acidic soil. It is best to plant monarda in the spring, but the area for it is prepared in the fall: they dig it up, clear it of weeds, and add 2-3 kg of peat, manure or compost, 20-30 g of potassium salt, 40-50 g of superphosphate per m². and 40 g of lime. In the spring, before planting, 20-30 g of nitrogen fertilizer is added to the soil for each m².

How to plant monarda

Two months after the emergence of seedlings, when they have three pairs of leaves, the seedlings are planted in a prepared area at a distance of at least 60 cm from each other. Planting of monarda is completed with abundant watering. The seedlings tolerate light spring frosts down to -5 ºC painlessly. Monarda from seeds usually blooms only after a year, but with the seedling method, the most developed specimens can bloom already this year.

Caring for monarda in the garden

How to care for monarda

Monarda needs frequent but moderate watering, especially in hot weather, otherwise there is a risk of plant disease powdery mildew. During peak heat, daily watering may be necessary. In addition, in hot and dry summers it is necessary to mulch the area with monarda with leaf humus or peat. Regularly loosen the soil around the monarda bushes and remove weeds. Growing monarda also involves feeding the plant with granulated Kemira or Agricola every two weeks from mid-May to early autumn. Monarda also reacts well to organic matter, for example, mullein diluted in a ratio of 1:10. For preventive purposes, in spring and autumn, monarda is treated with foundationazole and copper sulfate.

Reproduction of monarda

Since varietal characteristics are not preserved when growing monarda from seeds, it is most reliable to propagate varietal and species monarda by dividing three- to four-year-old bushes. It is better to do this in April, when the soil warms up well, or in early autumn. The bush is dug up, the roots are cleared from the ground under running water, divided into approximately equal parts, the sections are treated with crushed coal and the sections are planted in holes prepared in advance. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to replant and divide the bush often, since literally in two or three years the divisions you planted will grow up to a meter in diameter.

Monarda is also propagated using cuttings 8-10 cm long, which are cut from green shoots before flowering. Lower leaves the cuttings are removed, the upper ones are shortened by a third. Then the cuttings are planted in a box with moist coarse-grained river sand, cover the top with agril and place in a dark place. Rooting usually occurs within two to three weeks. In the second half of summer, cuttings are planted on permanent place.

Monarda pests and diseases

Monarda is a plant that is resistant to any troubles, but with a chronic lack of water it can develop powdery mildew. To avoid this, strictly follow the irrigation regime and be sure to mulch the soil in the area so that moisture does not evaporate from the soil so quickly. Sometimes monarda becomes infected with the tobacco mosaic virus or rust, a weevil can settle on it, but a developed and well-groomed monarda does not suffer from anything, and pests are repelled by the aroma of monarda and the content of essential oils in its roots.

Monarda after flowering

How and when to collect monarda seeds

Monarda seeds ripen into nuts in late August or early September. If you have a desire to do selection work, you can collect them and sow them immediately or grow seedlings that can be planted in the ground in the spring. Or you can save the seeds in order to sow in a year or two, since the germination period of monarda seeds is proper storage three years. We remind you that varietal monarda seeds do not retain their parental properties, in a generative way Only species plants are grown.

Preparing Monarda for winter

If you don't need monarda seeds, leave the fruits on the bushes - they will be very useful to hungry birds in the fall. The remains of annual monarda species are disposed of, and the site is prepared for a crop that will be grown next year. Monarda is a perennial winter-hardy, it can withstand frosts down to -25 ºC, but if you are afraid that the winter will be not only cold, but also snowless, insulate the area with a thick layer of mulch or cover it with spruce branches.

Types and varieties of monarda

TO annual species Monardas grown in culture include:

Lemon monarda, or citrus fruit (Monarda citriodora)

- the only annual plant in the genus with a height of 15 to 95 cm with lanceolate leaves and inflorescences of 5-7 whorls with small light or dark lilac flowers, the leaves, flowers and stems of which contain an essential oil with the same components as basil, lemon balm and mint, and this allows you to use lemon monarda not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a spice plant;

Monarda hybrid Lambada (Monarda lambada)

bred in the Netherlands from crossing several species of the Citriodora group, the young leaves of which, like the leaves of the citrus monarda, are distinguished by a strong lemon aroma;

Monarda punctata

or horsemint , grown mostly not for its flowers, but for the beautiful, bright, salmon-colored leaves that surround the inflorescences. The plant reaches a height of 80 cm.

Perennial monarda is represented in culture by the following species:

Double Monarda (Monarda didyma)

growing in wildlife in the Great Lakes region. It is a herbaceous perennial, reaching a height of 80 cm, with a horizontal growing rhizome and tetrahedral leafy erect stems. Its leaves are opposite, short-petioled, oval, toothed, pointed at the end, pubescent, green, up to 12 cm long, with reddish stipules. The flowers are small, purple or lilac color, collected in dense terminal capitate inflorescences up to 6 cm in diameter. Large leaf-shaped bracts of almost the same shade as the flowers. In culture since 1656.

Monarda fistulosa, or tubular (Monarda fistulosa)

grows naturally in the forests of eastern North America; in Europe it is grown mainly as an aromatic herb. It is a perennial with numerous stems reaching a height of 65 to 120 cm, with simple toothed leaves covered with fine hairs. The flowers of Monarda fistula are lilac, small, united in false whorls surrounded by reddish stipules and collected in spherical capitate inflorescences. Each peduncle bears from five to nine inflorescences with a diameter of 5 to 7 cm. This species has been in cultivation since 1637. There is a dwarf form of Monarda victoria, bred in Russia.

Monarda hybrid (Monarda x hybrida)

combines forms and varieties bred in Germany, Great Britain and the USA with the participation of Monarda double and Monarda fistulata. These are plants up to 100 cm high with flowers of various colors, for example:

• violet-purple: Blaustrumpf, Blue Stocking;
• purple: Fisheye, Zinta-Zinta, Pony;
• purple: Sunset, Prairie Glow, Cardinal;
• red: Petite Delight, Cambridge Scarlett, Balance, Adam, Squaw, Mahogeny;
• pink: Craitley Pink, Croftway Pink, Rose Queen;
• white: Snow Maiden, Snow White, Schneewithchen;
• burgundy: Prairienacht, Maroon Moldova;
• lavender: Elsise Lavende.

20.09.2017

Monarda is widespread in garden plots of the country as ornamental plant, but it deserves special attention due to its taste and medicinal properties. It's more than just decorating your garden. Monarda – universal herb, which was found various applications for health and cooking. It has long been used as medicine, spice or tea. Here you will learn more about this.

What is monarda?

Monarda is a very pretty plant with a wonderful fruity, minty aroma, whose 90-100 cm long stems produce magnificent crown-shaped flowers in mid-to-late summer in various colors, including red, pink and purple. In addition to its decorative qualities, monarda is valued for its culinary and medicinal properties.

All above-ground parts of the plant are edible and are used in cooking as a flavoring, as an additive to tea, and to decorate the finished dish with flowers.

What does a monarda look like - photo

general description

Monarda's homeland - North America and Mexico, but also in middle lane In Russia, it blooms well and abundantly from July to the end of summer with beautiful pink, red, bright crimson and purple flowers.

The genus Monarda has at least 17 species and more than fifty varieties, but the most famous are the fistula, lemon, double and dotted.

Monarda has bright flowers, collected in 20-50 pieces at the top of the branching stem.

The stem is square, grooved and hard, about 90 cm in height. The leaves are distinctly toothed. Thin, dense fibers cover most of the stem and leaves. The roots are short, thin, creeping.

How do you get this seasoning?

Monarda leaves, stems and inflorescences are used as a spice. Most green raw materials rich in essential oils can be obtained during the period of mass flowering of this plant. Monarda does not bloom in the first year of its life, so it begins to be collected in the second year.

How to store and prepare for the winter

To harvest for future use, the branches are cut off during flowering and dried in the shade. They can be ground in a coffee grinder and stored in a tightly closed glass jar.

Chemical composition of monarda

The main components of monarda are thymol and carvacrol.

Carvacrol also has an antibacterial effect.

Flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, luteolin, quercetin) were found in the leaves and flowers of monarda.

Monarda essential oil contains 34 components, the main ones being α-pinene (3.5%), β-pinene (2.9%), α-terpinene (1.7%), p-cymene (32.5), aliphatic aldehyde (6.3%), sabinol hydrate (1.9%), β-caryophyllene (1.1%), carvacrol methyl ester (5.5%), citronellal acetate (1.6%), thymol (12 .6%) and carvacrol (24.0%).

Physiological role

Monarda leaves and flowers have anthelmintic, antimicrobial, diuretic, expectorant, antipyretic and stimulating effects, and also affect:

• improved digestion;
• weakening of flatulence;
• improved appetite;
• relief of colic;
• reduction of bloating;
• reduction of menstrual cramps;
• reduction of nausea and vomiting.

Health Benefits of Monarda

Thanks to healing properties Monarda is used in the treatment of:

• salmonellosis and other infections;
• bronchial asthma;
• chronic bronchitis;
• radiation sickness;
• colds;
• headaches;
• stomach disorders;
• fevers and sore throat;
• flatulence;
• nausea;
• menstrual pain;
• insomnia.

Inhalations with this plant help with sore throat and bronchial catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus).

With antimicrobial and diaphoretic properties, monarda is useful in fighting colds and flu.

Monarda essential oil, which has proven itself well as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent, helps relieve pain and speed up the healing of small wounds and insect bites. Helps get rid of eczema, psoriasis, herpes and acne.

Before using essential oil, it is necessary to pre-test for 24 hours for small area skin.

Contraindications (harm) of monarda

Monarda should not be taken orally if you have problems with the thyroid gland. Contraindicated for pregnant women.

What is the smell and taste of monarda?

Monarda leaves have an aroma similar to a mixture of mint and oregano. It is not sweet like mint, but more spicy. The petals are “softer” in taste and smell.

The dried, crushed leaves have a peppery aroma.

How and for how long to store monarda

Monarda loses some of its aroma when dried, but retains its medicinal properties for up to a year. To dry, tie 8-10 stems with an elastic band and hang upside down in a dry, warm, ventilated area.

Store dried monarda in airtight containers in a dark place.

The use of monarda in cooking

The unusual aroma of monarda has found application in the kitchen. Here are some ideas:

• Dried monarda can be sprinkled on pizza and pasta.
• Add fresh leaves to pesto sauce and flower petals used as a beautiful and aromatic side dish.
• The mild, slightly minty flavor of monarda greens makes them ideal for making jellies. The apple one is especially delicious.
• Using dried leaves, you can season lamb and fish.
• The aroma of fresh monarda is good in fruit and vegetable salads. Add a few leaves to them. You can decorate the finished dish with flowers.
• The leaves make a pleasant addition to iced tea or lemonade. This would be a great mint replacement.

Before using fresh monarda, rinse the leaves and immerse the flowers in cool water to dislodge any insects that may be hiding in the petals. Then hold under running water, shake off and dry the drops.

Flavored tea with monarda for pleasure and health

If you like Earl Gray tea, then the taste of a hot drink with Monarda will seem very familiar. One of the other names for monarda is “wild bergamot”. They called it that because the taste has citrus notes, similar to real bergamot, which is what Earl Gray is flavored with.

Due to its ability to support the digestive system, monarda tea is useful to drink after meals. This drink is also loved for its calming effect.

How to make tea with monarda:

1. Place a tablespoon of fresh or one teaspoon of dried monarda leaves in a teapot.
2. Pour in one glass (250 ml) of boiling water.
3. Let sit for ten minutes. Sweeten if desired and enjoy.

Monarda is also added to homemade herbal tea to improve the taste.

How to make honey from monarda

Using fresh monarda flowers you can easily make healing honey:

1. Fill a small jar with flowers.
2. Pour honey into it, the flowers should be completely immersed and the container filled.
3. Stir gently with a small spoon to remove any air bubbles.
4. Seal the jar and let the honey sit for 4-6 weeks. After this period, you can remove the flowers if you wish, or leave them in the honey.

Add honey to warm water or tea, or eat it with a spoon. Thanks to the anesthetic properties of monarda, this honey is very good at soothing a sore throat.

How to replace monarda in a recipe

Dried monarda leaves can be substituted for oregano, as both have a peppery flavor that is great in stews, bean dishes, pasta and pizza sauce.

Monarda - what is it and what is it eaten with? Video

Monarda is a fantastic example of a combination of beauty, benefits and taste. These are at the same time stunning flowers of different colors, and a delicious cooking ingredient, and medicine. If you want to use monarda, carefully study its medicinal properties, contraindications and methods of use collected in this article.

Monarda- perennial herbaceous plant from the Lamiaceae family. There are more than a hundred varieties of monarda (fragrant, double, red, dotted, combed, scattered, etc.) Most of its species are unusual beautiful perennials and are grown for decorative purposes.

But in gardens they most often grow lemon monarda, better known as bergamot herb. Central and South America are considered the homeland of monarda. Bergamot is a moisture- and light-loving plant.

It is unpretentious to soil fertility, but grows poorly in acidic and marshy areas. It reaches a height of 1.5 m. Monarda is propagated by seeds, seedlings and dividing the bush. To prevent the rhizomes from freezing in winter, the plants are hilled up and the soil around is mulched with humus or leaves.

It blooms, as a rule, in the second year of cultivation and then monarda is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. The leaves and flowers are used to season fruit and vegetable salads. The main use of bergamot-monarda is in flavoring tea, kvass and fruit drinks, giving them a refined lemon-resin aroma. Fans of tea with bergamot herb claim that it is much better than store-bought tea with bergamot (by the way, such tea, as a rule, is not flavored with herb at all bergamot, and the essential oil of the fruits of an inedible citrus tree called "orange-bergamot", which has the aroma of bergamot). The aerial parts of lemon monarda contain valuable essential oil, similar in its properties to the oils of peppermint, basil, and lemon balm. Monarda is bactericidal, wound-healing, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and emollient (protects the skin and mucous membranes from irritation) effect. It is believed that monarda prevents the occurrence and growth of black mold, so its branches are added to spicy mixtures when canning vegetables and other products. Several additional photos are presented in the website gallery monards.

Bergamot monarda plant: growing and preparing for tea

In the last article, I briefly talked about what bergamot monarda is, what this plant looks like and what beneficial properties it has. Today I will continue the story about the plant of the Lamiaceae family with a story about propagation, growing monarda, as well as how to harvest and use it. Monarda is propagated in several ways.

Firstly, seedlings. Seeds are sown in mid-March - early April to a depth of 0.5-1 cm. Shoots appear after 6-10 days (sometimes later).

Seedlings are planted once every 18-20 days in small pots, preferably with a diameter of 8-10 cm, then the plants tolerate replanting more easily and bloom 10-15 days earlier. The seedlings are watered 1-2 times with a solution of nitrogen fertilizers (11.5 g per 1 liter of water).

In mid-May they are planted in open ground at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other. Secondly, monarda can be cultivated by sowing seeds in open ground - in a permanent place as soon as the soil is ready.

In the initial stage of development, plants are very responsive to abundant but infrequent watering in dry weather. They are combined with fertilizing with complete mineral fertilizer. And finally, many gardeners practice Monarda reproduction by dividing the bush (mainly in the spring), rightly considering this method the most convenient, and by cutting roots.

Monarda grows well after annual flower crops with a short growing season (gypsophila, iberis, etc.). This plant is an excellent honey plant. Monard honey fragrant and very pleasant to the taste. For preparation Monarda cut at a height of 20-30 cm from the soil surface (not lower!) 10-15 days after the start of flowering (mass flowering phase). The herb is dried, crushed and stored, like other aromatic plants. Monarda essential oil has an antimicrobial and fungicidal effect, so the leaves not only flavor tea, but are used for pickling cucumbers, tomatoes and mushrooms, placing the cut leaves in jars top part stem with inflorescences and leaves.Apple jam cooked with leaves monarda double(Mahogany variety), tastes like jam made from rose petals (for 3 cups of sliced ​​apples - 10 g of fresh flowers and leaves of monarda bifoliata). We will be grateful if you share the article on social networks:

An aromatic plant and a beautiful flower. Monarda or bergamot? Properties and application of monarda. Photo. Monarda oil

Monarda – aromatic and medicinal plant, honey plant, decorative flowering perennial with bright two- or three-story flowers. Monarda exudes a delicate lemon aroma, and just one leaf will give a cup of any tea an exquisite taste of tea

Monarda - plant

Monarda()- a plant from the family Lamiaceae (), close relative oregano (). The latter, however, is much inferior Monarde in beauty.

Monarda comes from North America, where the plant naturally lives in wet meadows, hills and forest clearings. Brought to the Old World, monarda has been successfully naturalized in warm regions of Europe and Asia.Name monarda given to the plant in honor of Nicholas Monardes, the author of a book on plants of the New World, published in 1569.

For its recognizable aroma and ability monarda flowers attracting dozens of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds (where they are found) at the same time, the plant is called Bee Balm, Horsenip, Lemon Balm, Oswego Tea (named after the Indian tribe). Monarda– an erect plant up to 120 cm tall.

Monarda leaves are 5-15 cm long, oval or oval-narrow, pointed at the ends, arranged oppositely on the stem. Monarda leaves, smooth or rough, depending on the type, have small jagged ends.

Monarda flowers simple or double (mainly in decorative hybrids), bisexual, tubular, bilaterally symmetrical, bilabial with bracts of leaves. Upper lip monarda flower narrow, the lower one is wider and drooping. All types of monarda are exceptionally fragrant due to the high content of essential oil in the roots, stems, leaves and flowers of monarda.At the time Monarda flowering grows long stems, in the axils of the leaves and on the tops of which charming “shaggy” flowers of bright colors appear: red, pink, crimson, lilac and white.

Monarda fistulosa, two-story flower (Monarda fistulosa) Monarda is an aromatic plant. Leaves

Double Monarda (Monarda didyma)

Monarda or bergamot?

In the English-speaking botanical tradition, monarda has a second name, which sometimes confuses those interested in plants and aromatherapy. Perhaps they call it bergamot Monarda for the similarity of taste and aroma that the leaves of both plants exude. - a variety of Seville orange (), the leaves of the plant are traditionally used to flavor the famous tea ().

If you add it to regular black (or green) tea monarda leaf, then the tea will become very similar to gourmet. And monarda and bergamot- essential oil crops. To avoid confusion with essential oils of monarda and bergamot, read the labels carefully. Bergamasco orange essential oil is called bergamot oil - and monarda essential oil - .

Properties and uses of monarda

The Indians also noticed antiseptic properties of monarda: they used the leaves of the plant to treat wounds and skin infections, and the tincture monards used for gargling and mouthwashing, healing teeth and gums, for headaches and fever, and also as a general stimulant and carminative. Later, scientists confirmed the observations of the Indians: in Monarde contains a natural antiseptic ().

Monarda and is now used in industrial means for rinsing your mouth. Monarda essential oil actively used in aromatherapy (see below).

Dried monarda leaves and flowers added to aromatic potpourri, and stems with flowers - to winter bouquets and compositions of dried flowers. Fresh monarda leaves used as a spice in salads, fish and meat dishes, just like the ancient Indians, who added Monarda to game and poultry.

Monarda oil

The highest essential oil content is in monarda ambiguate(). She, along with Monarda fistula() have long been used by Indians as a medicinal plant.

Growing monarda and bergamot for your garden

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Perennial Monarda varieties unpretentious and winter-hardy. These are beautiful honey plants with leaves and flowers that exude a wonderful aroma. Blooms monarda from July until the very end of summer.

Decorative look monards, a miracle - a scent that we all recognize well in the invigorating tea with bergamot, have made it one of the favorite flower crops of gardeners. Monarda feels great in the sun and tolerates partial shade.

She does not like the wind, which can cause bending of her delicate flower stalks. Loves light calcareous soils, but tolerates others soil compositions. Categorically does not tolerate heavy and swampy soils.

Like the vast majority flowering plants, craves a full range of fertilizers. With good feeding monarda flowers bloom more often and the colors are more saturated. Young shoots monards they do not bloom very profusely, its flowering reaches its climax after 4 - 5 years, when each bush, if treated lovingly and properly cared for, produces up to 100 or more flowering shoots. In order for the plant to feel comfortable, the site for future planting is prepared in the fall.

Carefully dig the soil, weed out the weeds, add humus and partially peat. When there is little rain, the plant needs abundant watering. It is also known medicinal properties monards.

They are provided by healing essential oils, vitamins B2, B1 and C. For the respiratory system and digestive tract monarda has a beneficial effect. During flowering, when the inflorescences contain maximum amount essential oil, preparation time monards. The lower, above-ground part is cut to a height of 20 - 30 cm from the soil surface. After cutting, the grass is tied into small bunches and hung in a dark place, and after drying it is crushed.

Date of publication: October 07, 2008 If you notice an error, select the required text and press Ctrl+Enter to report it to the editors

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“Bergamot” received its name in honor of the Italian city of Bergamo, where it was first cultivated and sold as an oil. According to another version, the name probably comes from the Turkish word “beyarmudu”, which means “princely pear” or “beg armudy” - master’s pear. Bergamot received this name due to its unusual pear-shaped shape and the light yellow color that made the fruit bergamot is similar to bergamot pears, but in fact it has absolutely nothing to do with pears.

The first bergamot plantations were established in Italy in the mid-twenties of the last century..Bergamot, or orange-bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a plant of the Rutaceae family. Southeast Asia is considered the birthplace of bergamot.

Bergamot is the closest relative of orange, lemon and grapefruit. Bergamot is an evergreen tree, ranging from 2 to 10 meters in height. Branches with long, thin, sharp spines up to 10 cm long.

The leaves are alternate, petiolate, leathery, ovate-oblong or elliptic, pointed, green above, shiny, lighter below, slightly toothed, wavy. The flowers are large and very fragrant, solitary or collected in few-flowered axillary tufts, bisexual, white or purple, with a strong pleasant odor.

The fruit is spherical or pear-shaped, with a thick three-layer shell. The skin is peeled free of bergamot lobes without resistance. The pulp consists of a series of easily split segments, inside of which there are a few seeds.

It has a pleasant sour taste, less sour than lemon, but more bitter than grapefruit. Blooms in March-April. The fruits ripen in November-December. In practice, the pulp of the bergamot fruit is not used.

What is valuable about this fruit is the peel, which is a source of essential oil.. The distinctive aroma of bergamot is best known to us from the taste of tea.

Aromatic substances extracted from the skin of this sour fruit are used to flavor Earl Gray tea, Lady Gray tea, and sweets. Italians make marmalade from fruits.

It is also popular in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. Bergamot oil is used to flavor ointments and in perfumes. Bergamot peel is used in perfumery for its ability to combine with different scents to form a bouquet of scents that complement each other.

Approximately one third of men's and half of women's perfumes contain bergamot essential oil. Currently, it is not used in its natural form in perfumery, because causes photoburns of the skin at the site of perfume application when exposed to sunlight. Bergamot peel is also used in aromatherapy to treat depression.

The juice of the fruit is also used in folk medicine as a herbal medicine to fight malaria and for digestive problems. The origin is indicated differently in different sources. Somewhere it is reported that bergamot is a hybrid of several citrus plants, obtained by crossing orange and citron.

And other sources of bergamot are considered an independent species. Bergamot is not related to the Bergamot pear variety and Monarda grass, which is also commonly called Bergamot. Today there is no bergamot growing in the wild. You can also obtain bergamot fruits indoors.

Bergamot is grown in the same way as lemon or orange. But bergamot is less whimsical than its citrus relatives.

Growing.

Sowing is done with fresh seeds just taken from the fruits.. If you let them sit and dry out, they will lose the ability to germinate. Planted to a depth of 1 cm in humus mixed with sand.

Watering is moderate, without drying out the soil. Shoots appear after a few weeks. Up to 4 plants can appear from one seed - citrus fruits have several embryos per seed. They need to be replanted and planted after 3-4 leaves appear.

Most best time sowing - end of winter - beginning of spring. Then the seedlings will get more natural light. Sow more seeds than you need and gradually select only the strongest and most adapted to home conditions - dry air and lack of bright light.

Lighting and temperature.

You must always remember that citrus fruits are southern plants, therefore, they are demanding of heat and light. Do not forget that electric lighting promotes fruit formation, along with the necessary temperature conditions.

For flowering and fruit set, the optimal temperature is + 15-18? C. However, a prerequisite for your indoor citrus plants to bear fruit is a cold winter. The temperature in winter should not be higher than +12? C.

Watering and fertilizing.

From spring to autumn, citrus fruits must be watered generously with soft water that has settled for at least a day. Citrus fruits do not tolerate chlorine; hard lime water causes yellowing of the leaves.

They are very responsive to frequent spraying of the crown and will even happily take a soft, warm shower.. Around February, plants begin to grow intensively, so they need to be fed a little weekly with liquid mineral or organic fertilizers until autumn.

Fertilizing and balanced nutrition accelerate the growth and development of the plant. Especially if it receives sufficient quantities of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers that stimulate fruit formation. The quality of the soil also matters - for good humus soil, citrus fruits will thank you with enhanced development and high-quality fruiting.

Soil and replanting.

Choose for the young plants light, and for larger ones, heavier soil. It is usually recommended to take a mixture of greenhouse manure, turf soil and leaf soil, adding coarse sand to it. For young plants:

>Garden plants>Monarda

General information about the plant "Monarda"

MONARDA(Monarda) is a perennial rhizomatous plant from the Lamiaceae family. Origin: North America and Mexico.

A genus of plants that includes about 20 species of annual, often perennial, grasses. The stems are tetrahedral, slightly drooping, the erect stem reaches a height of 60-90 cm. Tubular funnel-shaped flowers are collected in lush bunches.

The most popular color of the inflorescences is red, but there are also pink, white and purple varieties. Flowering time: July-September. The plant was brought to Spain after Columbus discovered a new continent, from there it spread throughout Europe, including here in Russia.

But Europeans learned about Monarda only 85 years later from the books of the doctor N. Monardes “Good News from the New World” (1569) and “Medical History of Western India” (1580). In these books, the plant was called “Origanum canadiana” and “Origanum vergina.”

After 2 centuries, the plant was included by Carl Linnaeus in his classification of species ("Species of Plants", 1753), and the genus was named in honor of H. Monardes - "Monarda". Then they forgot about Monarda and remembered only a century later. In Europe and Asia, the flower began to be cultivated as an essential oil plant.

TO early XIX centuries, monarda was grown under the name "bergamot" - for its similarity to the aroma citrus plant- bergamot; Oswego tea - this is how the Indians of the Oswego tribe used it - bee or fragrant balm, Indian nettle, American lemon balm, Indian feather and mountain balsam, lemon mint. Monarda is undeservedly rarely used by flower growers to decorate the garden for its flowers - "tatters", but they have a special Charm. This is a bright, long-flowering plant - a honey plant with unusual flowers attracts many bees and butterflies to the garden, while repelling harmful insects. Bergamot exudes an amazing mint-lemon aroma, and just one leaf will give a cup of tea an exquisite taste.

Main types and varieties of monarda

Most widely distributed in gardens perennial species monarda: fistula (M.fistulosa L.), double (M.dydima L.), lemon. In our country it grows only under cultivated conditions. Mostly tall hybrids of Monarda dvulata are grown.

Less known, but also beautiful, is the dwarf monarda, which is used as a seasoning. There are many more types of monarda, among which there are monarda: fragrant (M. clinopodia), medium (M. media), Russell (M. russeliana), soft (M. mollis ), Bradbury (M. bradburiana), dotted (M. punctata), red (M. rubra), comb (M. restinata), scattered (M. dispersa) and others. Under the name hybrid monarda (Monarda x hybridahort.) are united perennial varieties and forms of unclear hybrid origin with the participation of double and tubular monarda (tube), up to 100 cm in height. Flowers of various colors, varieties of which were created in the USA, Great Britain, and Germany.

• Varieties with red flowers: "Cambridge Scarlet", "Adam", "Machogene", "Kardinal", "Prairie Glow", "Sunset", "Balance", "Squaw", "Petite Delight" - dwarf form, height 20-30 cm. Varieties with pink flowers: "Fishes", "Croftway Pink", "Rouse Quin", "Cratly Pink". Varieties with purple flowers: "Sinta-Sinta", "Fishes" and "Pawnee" (pale purple); "Blaustrumpf" and "Blue Stocking" (violet-purple). Varieties with burgundy flowers: "Burgundy of Moldova", "Praerienachl". Varieties with white flowers: "Snow White", "Schneewittchen", "Snow Maiden". Varieties with purple flowers: "Capricorn" - 90 cm, reddish-purple. The tall (up to 180 cm) variety "Pawnee" has a large "tuft" of light purple flowers around the green center of the inflorescence; The color of the center emphasizes the effectiveness of the inflorescence as a whole. The "Squaw" variety is especially recognized winter-hardy variety. Varieties with lavender flowers: "Elsiey's Lavender". The "Lambada" variety is most often grown as an annual.

How seasonal annuals are most often grown:

• Lemon monarda, or citrus monarda (Monarda citriodora), hybrid Monarda "Lambada", Monarda punctata, called horsemint.

Monarda - beneficial properties and applications

Monarda is grown not only as an ornamental plant, but also as an essential oil, medicinal and aromatic plant. These are beautiful honey plants with very fragrant leaves and flowers.

The leaves, stems and flowers of almost all types of monarda have a pleasant minty-lemon, tart smell. If you brew a leaf with tea, it will give the drink a pleasant tart citrus aroma and flavor.

Monarda has long been used as a fragrant and healthy spice that improves digestion, it contains valuable substances and has medicinal properties. Nowadays, monarda is widely used in mouthwashes, thanks to the natural antiseptic thymol contained in the plant. Monarda essential oil is popular in aromatherapy and has high bactericidal activity.

Of the 22 essential oils studied, monarda had the most high action on microorganisms, it can be used with the greatest success for the prevention of acute respiratory infections and influenza. The highest content of essential oil is found in Monarda doubly (M. didyma). It, along with Monarda fistulosa (M. fistulosa), has long been used by Indians as a medicinal plant.

The Indians noticed the antiseptic properties of bergamot: the leaves of the plant were used to treat wounds and skin infections, and the tincture was used to gargle and mouth, heal teeth and gums, for headaches and fever, and also as a general stimulant and carminative. Many do not even know that If you hurt your hand, you can help yourself right next to the beds: crush a monarda leaf and apply it to the wound for a while or treat it with juice. And in summer and autumn, during the canning period, it is good to put the shoots of this plant in a jar, thereby preventing spoilage of the product.

Monarda essential oil is believed to completely inhibit the growth of black mold. Monarda herbal tea recipe: 2 tsp. crushed leaves and inflorescences, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 20-30 minutes, filter and drink a quarter glass three times a day.

How to prepare monarda oil? Monarda (bergamot) oil extract is quite easy to prepare at home. You need to take dry monarda grass and refined vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10.

Stir and heat bergamot oil in a water bath for 2-2.5 hours at a temperature of 55-60 degrees. Then cool the oil and filter. It can be used to treat wounds or put into the nose for a runny nose.

Before use, make sure you are not allergic to monarda. In this way, you can make oil from other useful plants.

Growing and caring for monarda

Perennial species of monarda are unpretentious in care and winter-hardy. Any garden soil is suitable for them. Grows superbly in both sun and partial shade. Propagated by spring and autumn division of rhizomes every 3 - 4 years. Before planting, add compost or peat.

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