Bergamot herb: useful properties and contraindications, photo and description

Monarda, or garden bergamot, is a spicy-aromatic plant with unique beneficial properties: it is not only a beautiful flower that is used with benefit in cooking, but also a powerful drug that can fight the harm of viral infections or stubborn fungi. In everyday life, however, monarda is often confused with bergamot orange because of the similarity of names, citrus taste and aroma of the leaves of these plants. In addition, both of these crops are used in tea blends. Therefore, information about the benefits and harms of monarda is needed by a wide range of consumers.

What is this plant

There are 3 completely different plants with the same name "bergamot". They are often confused with each other, although they have different properties.

Stand out:

• Pear Bergamot, in translation - "Beyskaya pear", the origin is associated with the Ottoman Empire.
• Orange bergamot - citrus, reminiscent of lemon and lime, originally from the Italian town of Bergamo: hence the name "bergamot";
• Monarda herb, or garden bergamot, with a delicate lemon flavor and aroma similar to citrus bergamot.

Monarda is an aromatic medicinal honey plant of the Lamb family with bright colors ranging from white to cherry tones, often cultivated in summer cottages. The plant was brought to Europe from America in the 20th century. It got its name in honor of the Spanish botanist Monardes, who first described it.

Varieties of monarda

There are many varieties of monarda, but the most useful are two of its types, which combine decorative and aromatic properties with the highest content of essential oil:

Fist (tubular) - the most valuable essential oil monard, which contains the substance thymol, the benefits of which are manifested in the high medicinal properties of the plant. Thanks to thymol, the fistous monard is widely used in medicine, cosmetology, and the perfume industry.

Lemon - with blue flowers - most loved by summer residents due to the fact that it has both decorative and culinary uses - as a spice for various dishes. Essential oil of this type owes its invaluable universal properties to its constituent substances, which by similarity can replace herbs such as basil, mint, lemon balm, cumin, thyme, tarragon, dill, rosemary, hyssop, coriander, lemon.

The chemical composition of monarda

Monarda is rightfully considered a useful plant, rich in the following elements:

• Essential oils. They contain about 40 substances: linalol, sabinene, borneol, cymene, terpinene, thujene, thujol, myrcene and others, from the concentration of which essential oil is obtained - the most powerful medicine against many diseases;
• Antioxidants which help to rejuvenate the body, get on your feet faster after an illness;
• Retinoids - useful substances responsible for the health of hair and nails, elasticity and youthfulness of the skin;
• Vitamin C, which is very effective in treating colds, works well with the human immune system.

Useful and medicinal properties of monarda

The monard flower has many beneficial properties, which were used by the Indian tribes for various medicinal purposes. The benefits of using monarda are diverse:

• strengthening of immunity;
• relief from pain;
• fast wound healing;
• elimination of inflammation of the oral cavity;
• treatment of the heart and blood vessels;
• maintaining normal male potency (bergamot is a well-known aphrodisiac);
• an increase in breast milk in mothers during lactation;
• heat reduction, etc.

For a long time, a decoction was prepared from the monarda, which they drank, they also washed the wounds with it, did inhalations. And the fresh leaves of the plant were applied to abscesses, since its juice has extremely useful properties to relieve inflammatory processes.

Traditional medicine recipes with garden bergamot (decoctions, infusions, tinctures, compresses)

To prepare a decoction of monarda, take fresh or dry flowers, stems and leaves of a plant, slightly grind. 5 tsp pour 1 tbsp. boiling water, let the broth brew for 20 minutes, then filter and use it depending on the purpose: inside or in the form of inhalations, compresses.

For quick healing of burns and wounds

All types of monarda contain thymine, a substance that acts as a strong antiseptic. Its properties neutralize the action of harmful bacteria, disinfect wounds.

The benefits of thymine are also manifested in the bites of snakes and various insects, in the treatment of burns, wounds, eczema. Garden bergamot has antibiotic properties: it can be used to resist many bacterial infections.

How to use:

• Treat the sore spot with a few drops of Monarda essential oil;
• With the help of infusion, make a compress or just wipe the wound with cotton wool dipped in the broth.

For fractures

It is recommended to brew tea with the addition of monarda (both fresh and dry). Rubbing the essential oil into damaged areas of the skin will also benefit.

With salmonellosis

Monarda fistus is highly effective for infection with salmonella and worms. For this purpose, you can use both essential oil and plant infusion.

• Monarda essential oil is applied to the abdomen and rubbed well.
• An infusion is prepared in the proportion: 2 tablespoons of herbs for 2 cups of boiling water, after which it is insisted for 2 hours and filtered. It is recommended to be taken orally in 5 doses per day.

With a cold

For colds, the benefits of monarda are simply invaluable! Works great as teas and inhalations.

For this purpose, 3 tablespoons of herbs are poured into 400 - 500 ml of water, boiled on the stove for 7 - 8 minutes and the patient is allowed to breathe in the vapors of the broth for at least 10 - 15 minutes.

The same broth of monarda can be drunk as tea: 3-4 times a day for a quarter of a glass.

With pneumonia, asthma and tuberculosis

Treatment is carried out as follows:

• 3 tablespoons of monarda pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 2 - 3 hours, filter. Drink 2 - 3 times a day, 100 ml.
• For inhalation: a glass of water is poured into a saucepan, brought to a boil, then a couple of drops of monarda essential oil are added there. Breathe for up to 15 minutes, covering the head with a towel.

Benefits and uses of Monarda essential oil

Monarda oil unfairly remains in the shadows against the background of more popular ethereal counterparts. Its greatest benefit lies in its bactericidal properties.

Studies carried out by the Yalta Research Institute of Physical Methods of Treatment and Medical Climatology have proven the powerful effect of monarda in the fight against bacteria of staphylococcus, streptococcus, Klebsiella pneumonia, as well as with such a difficult-to-remove fungus as Candida. In studies of the benefits of monarda oil, its persistent and effective effect was recorded in comparison with even such a well-known antiseptic as tea tree oil.

Useful properties of monarda essential oil:

• inhibits the aggressive pathogenic environment of bacteria;
• restores immunity;
• eliminates various inflammations;
• heals wounds and cuts;
• Relieves pain;
• stimulates the brain and prevents senile ailments.

In addition, monarda oil is able to protect the body from the harm of radiation and dangerous toxic substances.

It can be used only after a doctor's recommendation.

This useful and versatile oil can be used either in pure form or mixed with another base oil in a ratio of about 1: 2.

Garden bergamot oil is used to injure the integument of the skin in the event of wounds, scratches, cracks, burns, bedsores above the second degree, diaper rash. For this, oil is added with each dressing, 2-3 drops per dressing.

The benefits of monarda essential oil have also been found in the treatment of inflammation of large joints. In such cases, add 2 drops of oil to the rubbing agents.

In case of fungal diseases, Monarda is used both independently and as part of complex therapy with antifungal drugs. The benefits are guaranteed only with the correct use of the essential oil. For example, in case of self-treatment of nails, it begins to be applied only after removing the damaged nail plate.

Monarda essential oil is also used in aromatherapy. It can become a reliable protection against colds during the autumn and winter colds and an excellent helper in spring vitamin deficiency.

How to use:

Add 3 - 6 drops of monarda oil to the aroma lamp per 16 meters of the area of ​​the room in which it will be located.

When fighting the dampness of the room, you need to dissolve up to 10 drops of Monarda essential oil in 0.3 - 0.4 liters of warm water. All damp places should be sprayed with this composition, after an hour the room must be ventilated.

The benefits of monarda are so versatile that even the cosmetics industry uses monarda oil to create perfume potpourri.

For various diseases

Garden bergamot has a wide range of useful effects and is used in the form of:

• broth;
• essential oil;
• tea.

The benefits of Monarda for ailments:

Abscesses. Essential oil of monarda ideally heals purulent rashes and chronic inflammations. When working with an abscess, the inflamed skin area is wiped with a decoction of the plant, boiled leaves are applied, and kept for some time. Essential oil is also useful: lubricate an abscess with 1-2 drops a couple of times a day. Can be diluted in water or base oil in a 1: 1 ratio.

Diarrhea, colic.In case of diarrhea and excessive gas formation, it is recommended to drink tea with bergamot. The plant normalizes the work of the intestinal microflora well, prevents stool disorders, gently removes harmful substances with feces;

Toothache.Rinse your mouth with broth several times a day. The plant has an antispasmodic effect, eliminates pain;

Anemia.Tea will help here. Regular consumption of it for several weeks increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood;

Eye infections and itching. All makeup is removed first. With a decoction of the plant, wash the eyes in the morning and evening. Each eye is separate. This is important so that microbes do not pass from one eye to the other;

Acne.A clean face is washed with a decoction of monarda in the morning and evening. It has a drying, antimicrobial effect on acne, normalizes the production of sebum, thereby reducing the appearance of new rashes;

Nail fungus.Garden bergamot has proven to be beneficial in destroying the pathogenic environment of microbes, eliminating excessive sweating and unpleasant foot odor. Three times a day, 1 drop of oil is applied to the sore nail, rubbed. The treatment is carried out within 10 days.

Another option is a bath: add 3 tablespoons of sea salt to 1 liter of warm water. 2-3 drops of iodine and monarda oil are added to the salt. Fir oil can be added. Legs must be kept in the bath for half an hour;

Seborrhea. To cure dandruff, a few drops of monarda essential oil are added to the balm and shampoo;

Chronic fatigue, depression, nervous breakdowns, hysterical state. To normalize the functioning of the nervous system, they take a relaxing bath, drink tea with monarda, keep their feet in a basin with a decoction and do a massage with essential oil. For baths, take 10 drops of oil and a base - 1 tablespoon of honey, salt or sour cream. For massage use a few drops and mix with grape oil in a 1: 1 ratio.

Vomiting, intoxication, poisoning, genital diseases. Brew and drink tea with monarda 2-3 times a day.

In cosmetology

The beneficial properties of the monarda flower are used to combat skin diseases: acne, acne, redness, acne, nail fungus, dandruff. For this purpose, decoctions, masks are prepared, and monarda essential oil is added to the composition of shampoos.

Facial mask recipe

2 tablespoons of garden bergamot flowers are brewed with 200 - 250 ml of boiling water, infused for 10 hours, then mixed with clay (white, blue) until creamy and then the mixture is applied to the face. After drying and wash off.

You can also use a decoction without adding clay for washing your face in the morning and evening.

Monarda essential oil has the ability to actively fight wrinkles, so it is added to creams. After applying the cream on the face, you need to massage the skin well: this will provide it with elasticity and a lifting effect.

The use of monarda in cooking

As a spice, monarda is a real find for culinary specialists, since it combines the properties of a flavoring agent and a preservative.

Today it is known that the benefits of garden bergamot are soothing, astringent and dyspepsia-supporting effects on the digestive system.

Monarda flowers are added to dishes fresh or dried, while using petals, not whole heads.

Monarda leaves for eating should only be picked when young: they have a more delicate taste, while old ones can give bitterness.

In addition, the monard is successfully used:

• for additives in teas: dried leaves are good to add to regular black and green tea, creating your own, own bouquet of Earl Gray;
• for fish: a little monarda will add spicy properties to salmon;
• to meat: garden bergamot leaves will pleasantly revive the taste and serve as an interesting addition to meat dishes;
• to sauces: gourmets will appreciate interesting citrus notes, for example, in sauces for poultry or for ordinary pizza;
• for desserts - Monarda flowers are more suitable here, since they have more refined and delicate taste properties compared to leaves, so you can safely add them to desserts and summer fruit salads, combining with other spices: cloves, cinnamon, lemon balm, orange peel;
• to conservation tomatoes and cucumbers, preserves, fruit drinks: preparations with a “note” of bergamot acquire a unique aroma;
• to allwhat your imagination will suggest!

Benefits and medicinal properties of tea with monarda

In terms of taste, Monarda tea is very similar to this famous Earl Gray with bergamot. It is this amazing similarity that reflects one of the names of the monarda, which has an English origin: "wild bergamot", or "wild bergamot".

An exquisite herb tea with the scent of bergamot can be made at home by adding the herb or a couple of drops of monarda essential oil to the teapot to regular tea.Such a drink will be especially useful in the season of colds and viral diseases.

The benefits of tea with monarda for the human body are manifested in such properties:

• antidepressant effect;
• strengthening of blood vessels;
• prevention of atherosclerosis;
• relieving fatigue, relaxing the nervous system;
• lowering pressure;
• beneficial effects on the body as a whole.

How to make tea with monarda

For cooking, take 1 teaspoon of crushed monarda leaves and brew with a glass of boiling water and leave for at least 5 minutes. Strain before serving.

When to collect and how to dry Monarda

The collection and harvesting of monarda falls at the beginning of flowering: young grass is the most useful, since it contains the most essential oils.

Using the technology, the upper parts of the plant are cut, approximately 20-30 cm: they contain the maximum share of all useful elements.

The dried herb is stored in iron or glass dry jars with good lids so that it does not lose its beneficial properties.

Monarda harm and contraindications

The use of the plant is contraindicated in such cases:

• Pregnant women. The action of bergamot has a tonic effect, which can lead to undesirable consequences: tone and contractions of the uterus, which can result in harm to the bearing of the fetus.
• Children under 12 years old;
• Allergy sufferers. The use of garden bergamot herb, instead of benefit, can turn into harm due to the fact that it has so many benefits, it can also bring harm due to the content of substances that can cause an allergic response in the body;
• Hypertensive patients;
• People with stomach ulcers you need to be especially careful and consult a doctor;
• In case of alcohol intake: such a combination is directly harmful to the body, since it threatens with impaired renal function.
• Before going to bed. The herb has a tonic property that makes it difficult to fall asleep.

Conclusion

Modern research has well studied the benefits and harms of monarda for the human body.

It has been proven, in particular, that this is a medicinal plant with universal use, the harm of which is limited only by the individual intolerance of its components and contraindications to existing diseases.

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