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.
