Herb
Bee Balm
Bee balm (Monarda), also called bergamot herb or Oswego tea, is a North American mint-family plant with red, pink, or purple flower heads and oregano-citrus leaves. Leaves brew tea and season poultry; petals garnish salads. Distinct from citrus bergamot (Citrus bergamia), culinary bee balm is used fresh or dried in small amounts. Wild and garden monardas vary from mild to quite thyme-like.
Also known as: Bee Balm / Oswego Tea, Wild Bergamot, Bergamot Herb
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Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0.82 g
- Saturated Fat 0.19 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.39 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 26.8 mg
- Salt 0.05 g
- Total Carbohydrate 7.45 g
- Dietary Fibre 3.73 g
- Total Sugars 1.02 g
- Complex / starch 1.03 g
- Protein 2.96 g
- Water 85.2 g
- Energy 40.7 kcal
- Water 85.2 g
- Carbohydrates 7.45 g
- Sugars 1.02 g
- Monosaccharides 0.72 g
- Disaccharides 0.31 g
- Starch 1.03 g
- Amylose 0.26 g
- Amylopectin 0.77 g
- Digestible Starch 0.88 g
- Resistant Starch 0.1 g
- Fibre 3.73 g
- Soluble Fibre 1.31 g
- Insoluble Fibre 2.42 g
- Protein 2.96 g
- Plant Protein 2.81 g
- Fat 0.82 g
- Saturated Fat 0.19 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.39 g
- Vitamins 423 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.09 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.1 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.44 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.22 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.1 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 85 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 2.08 mg
- Vitamin K 310 µg
- Minerals 259 mg
- Major Minerals 253 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.2 mg
- Salt 0.05 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.05 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.09 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.17 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.1 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.44 · vitamin-b6: 0.22 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.1 · vitamin-b9-folate: 85 · vitamin-e: 2.08 · vitamin-k: 309.8 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 26.75 · Potassium: 193 · Calcium: 33 · Iron: 0.8 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Fresh herbs are aromatic leaves—modest macros, concentrated micronutrients and polyphenols per gram dry.
History
Indigenous peoples of North America used Monarda as tea and medicinal aromatic.
Oswego tea from bee balm became known to European settlers as a native herbal drink.
Garden monardas spread to European borders as ornamentals with secondary culinary use.
Chef foragers and herb farms revived bee balm leaves and flowers as native aromatics.