Монарда

Common names of the genus include bergamot, bee balm, horsemint and Oswego tea; the first is inspired by the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) has no relation to the true bergamot, a citrus fruit. Monarda species include annual and perennial herbaceous plants.

The composition of Monarda didyma essential oil varies between chemotypes and growing conditions. Monarda fistulosa shows at least three chemotypes: carvacrol-rich, thymol-rich and geraniol-rich. In oils of Monarda citriodora, M. fistulosa and M. punctata from south Alabama, thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene and their derivatives were the primary terpenoid components. In two Monarda fistulosa samples from south Alabama, thymol dominated the oil at 54.3% and 62.2%. In a third Monarda fistulosa sample from south Alabama, thymoquinone was the most abundant constituent, at 41.3%, followed by p-cymene at 21.9%. In another analysis, Monarda fistulosa oil contained p-cymene (32.5%), carvacrol (24.0%) and thymol (12.6%), among other compounds. At least one population of Monarda fistulosa in Colorado also contains linalool.

Monarda didyma oil from cultivated plants in central Italy contained thymol (59.3%), p-cymene (10.3%) and terpinolene (9.2%) as its major compounds. Another Monarda didyma oil, from plants grown in Urbino, Italy, held carvacrol (16.7%), p-cymene (16.0%) and thymol (10.5%) among its most abundant quantified compounds. The essential oil of lemon beebalm (Monarda citriodora) contains citronellol.

Monarda didyma is native to eastern North America from Maine west to Ontario and Michigan, and south to northern Georgia. Monarda fistulosa ranges from Quebec to the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, and south to Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Idaho and northeastern Washington. Monarda citriodora is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico.

Bee balm is a natural source of the antiseptic compound thymol. Bee balm was traditionally used by Native Americans as a seasoning for wild game, particularly birds. The leaves and flowers of Monarda didyma are used to prepare herbal tea and syrups. Fresh leaves and flowers of Monarda didyma are also used to flavor salads.

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