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Monarda punctataUGA1120190.jpg  Monarda punctata (4908479312).jpg  Eastern carpenter bee on spotted bee balm (70436).jpg 

 

NAME: Horsemint

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Monarda Punctata / Lamiaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Spotted beebalm

CONDITIONS: sun/partial shade
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

mint

RAW/COOK

Summer

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

       

Flowers

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

 mint

RAW

Summer

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

   

Seeds

 

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small

 

COMMENT: Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong aromatic taste, they are used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods, and also as an aromatic tea.(1)

 

CAUTION: Excessive mint exposure may cause an arthritic condition.

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Antiseptic;  Carminative;  Diaphoretic;  Diuretic;  Emmenagogue;  Rubefacient;  Stimulant;  Stomachic;  Vesicant.  Horse mint was traditionally taken by several native North American Indian tribes to treat nausea and vomiting, and to encourage perspiration during colds. It was also applied externally as a poultice to treat swellings and rheumatic pains. Nowadays it is used primarily to treat digestive and upper respiratory tract problems.(1)

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: Essential oil;  Incense.The plant has a pleasing aroma and has been hung in the house as an incense.(1) Any mint is an insect and rodent repellent, just put some in a blender with water, sieve out fiber, use mint water to damp mop and dust. Also use to rinse woolen clothes to keep moths away.

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Monarda+punctata
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/?s=horsemint
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda_punctata
  4. http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/horsemintlemon-bee-balm.html (good photos)