Botanical Name: Monarda fistulosa

This is not the vibrant red or purple landscaping Monarda/Bee Balm that you see in flower beds. Look for Monarda fistulosa, a Minnesota wildflower - has light lavender flower, often cloudiness on leaf which is an indication of more intense volatile oils, which is good. Also a great pollinator for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds

Energetics:  Warming, drying

Major Properties:  Diffusive, stimulating, carminative, relaxing nervine

Examples of Uses: Tinnitus, Meniere's disease, poor hearing, cool and clammy skin

Parts Used: Flowers, just opening or recently opened, and upper leaves Preparations:

Tincture

Oil

Personal Observations: “For things that burn” Sunburn - I make a very effective sunburn ointment with monarda, calendula, and St. John’s Wort oils Burning sensation in muscles (or any burning sensation)

Good for ears & kidneys (they are related in TCM) Tinnitus – ringing in the ears Meneres – inner ear imbalance, ringing ears, dizzy, balance, mental confusion, drink monarda tea – shot glass 2-3 times a day Fever with ringing ears Ringing ears from loud noises/music

Frayed nerves and cutting pain - nerves burning, tingling, stabbing - indicates nerves are not firing right

Digestive aid - member of mint family - stimulates slow digestion, moves gas. Chronic stomach upset, nausea, cramps, sour stomach, heartburn, indigestion.

This brief overview merely highlights my observations.  There is, of course, a great deal of information that you can find on the Internet or in books.  Or better yet - get together with other herbalists and share your experiences!

Please add your own experiences so that together we can create a more comprehensive overview.

As always, if you have a chronic ailment that is not resolving itself or an acute issue, seek the attention of your physician.