Wild Bergamot: A Highly Useful and Beautiful American Wildflower

Wild Bergamot, botanical name Monarda fistulosa, is a perennial wildflower herb native to the North American continent with a rich tradition of use in Native American culture as both a culinary and medicinal herb. 

Let’s try to clear up any confusion about the name right now. 

Wild bergamot is often confused with other herbs in the Monarda genus. Both wild bergamot and Monarda didyma are referred to as both “Bergamot'' and “Bee Balm.” Wild bergamot has small lavender flowers, and Monarda didyma has pink flowers that grow in more prolific clusters. Otherwise, both plants are so similar they can be used interchangeably. Lemon mint, or Monarda citriodora, is an annual of the same genus and is sometimes called Lemon Bergamot.

The wildflower herb bergamot is definitely not the same bergamot that flavors Earl Grey. Anyone who says so is mistaken. That bergamot is a citrus tree native to the Mediterranean and has a very different flavor profile. 

However, the American wildflower bergamot was used by the Oswego tribe to make a delightful herbal tea with many therapeutic properties. This tea was used by settlers during the leadup to the American Revolution to take the place of English-imported tea from India. That may be where some of that confusion comes from.

Bergamot has a scent and flavor that is very similar to thyme or oregano. It is a spicy, slightly bitter flavor that would pair well with Italian dishes. 

The reason for this flavor is the high concentration of thymol, the oil constituent of thyme. 

The leaves of bergamot are most tender and tasty before the plant flowers and can be used fresh or dried for later. Use these leaves in any place you would use oregano, thyme, marjoram, and similar aromatic herbs. 

And as mentioned above, it makes a lovely soothing tea, which brings us to the next topic. 

Thanks to that high thymol concentration, wild bergamot has a number of beneficial qualities. To use bergamot medicinally, the flowering top is used and dried to make tea. An essential oil may also be extracted from the leaves and flowers. Bergamot herbs are: 

• High in antioxidants
• Antiseptic
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antiviral
• Astringent

Bergamot makes a wonderful bitter digestive aid, and it can be used as an expectorant or gargle to ease cold and flu symptoms. 

Since it has astringent properties, it’s also good for soothing gum infections and sore throats or can be used topically in a tincture to wash wounds and soothe rashes. 

Bergamot has some uterine-stimulating properties, so pregnant moms should avoid using bergamot in medicinal amounts. Those same properties do help to soothe irregular and painful periods, though.

Harvest bergamot similarly to the way you would prune basil. It’s easy to harvest the leaves by pinching a third or halfway down the plant above a split. The plant will split off branches and become even bushier, providing you with more bergamot to enjoy. 

Harvest the flowers and top few leaves for tea. 

For culinary use, it’s best to harvest bergamot before the plant flowers for the best flavor and texture. 

We hope you enjoy growing and using this distinctive native American wildflower! Wild Bergamot is a delight and extremely useful to have around. Plus, it’s a perennial, so each plant will last more than just a season.