Bee Balm Flower Essence and Emotional Wellbeing with Monarda Fistulosa
A hummingbird moth enjoying the nectar of the Monarda blooms on Forget Me Not Farm.
With what “feels like” 91 degrees heat in the air and a Red Hawk repeating her call over and over in the sky above me, I head out to the garden to collect Monarda Fistulosa, or the lavender colored Bee Balm, as it’s commonly called. This is a peak time of year for pollinators in Upstate, NY. August plays host to the last hurrah of summer blooms before only Goldenrod and Aster remain to welcome autumn’s entrance. Bumble bees, honeybees, flies and even hummingbird moths all love this plant. For them, we grow rows of it in the garden here at Forget Me Not Farm. Honeybees love Monarda and it is both a food and a medicine in the hive.
We dry some blooms for our best selling tea, Honeybee Tea, (think buttery, smooth, spicy mint). In either a tea or a tincture (An herbal extract of Monarda, similar to Vanilla extract) Monarda has an affinity for the health of the ears. Traditionally, it was used to support ears, nose and throat health. It was often taken as a support during an ear infection, cold, sore throat and even to help with vertigo. Monarda is safe for most people to ingest, as it is in the mint family. Always test a small amount first and discontinue use if an adverse reaction occurs.
Making your own flower essence is another wonderful way to experience this herb. A flower essence is a vibrational remedy made from flowers and is used to address emotional imbalances. They are based on the energetic imprint of the flower, which is preserved in the water. Many people experience greater balance in their emotional and mental states after working with flower essences. Making a flower essence yourself from your own flowers, or out in your own garden can be just the uplifting summertime self care you need.
Bee Balm Flower Essence Recipe
Monarda blooms float in a dish, absorbing the warmth of the sun.
Ingredients:
2-4 Monarda blossoms
A clear glass dish of pure water
A few ounces of vodka or 50/50 mixture of vegetable glycerin and water for an alcohol free version
A sunny day
Instructions:
Add your Monarda blossoms to the clear glass dish of pure water.
Set it out in the sun for a minimum of 1 hour and up to the whole day.
Strain out the flowers, keeping the water the flowers soaked in.
To preserve your flower essence, add 2 tablespoons of the flower water to the vodka or to the 50/50 mixture of vegetable glycerin and water for the alcohol free version
Suggested Dosage: Apply 4 drops on or under the tongue.
Lovely to use after a negative experience, when a small but meaningful self care moment can be taken. Try saying a statement for yourself out loud, to reinforce the moment.
Some statements I would suggest include but are not limited to:
“I deserve Love today.”
“Breathe, I am loved today.”
“I am proud of myself and what I have accomplished.”
