Facts About Bee Balm
If you look into the distant past of medicine, sometimes you can find a few treasures
that have been lost to most people through the modern reliance on factory produced
medications. Many species of plants that are now considered weeds previously had a
major significance to society as remedies for common daily issues. One of these plants
is known as bee balm. This little plant with reddish flowers has existed on the eastern
part of the north American continent for thousands of years. If you continue reading this
article, you’ll find some interesting facts about bee balm.
Oswego Tea
Oswego Tea has been around for quite some time, but it reached into the popular
consciousness of the colonial population during the times of the Boston tea Party due to
the lack of English tea. Settlers learned that the tea had strong medicinal properties
from the native Americans and began to incorporate it into their daily routines. Oswego
tea is also known for its relaxing effects, gaining a place among teas such as
chamomile for its benefits. As time wore on, it became synonymous with all things that
are relaxing and calming in the new world. Eventually, people discovered its other
benefits related to the digestive tract as a way to prevent gas, bloating and other issues.
It even played a role in reducing menstrual cramps.
Bee Balm in Aromatherapy
If you don’t feel like ingesting oswego tea, then you might find bee balm useful as a part
of an aromatherapy routine. It takes only a few minutes to grind or crush up a handful of
freshly plucked leaves and place them into a hand towel under some hot water. If you
can keep the water hot enough to produce steam, you can use this bee balm steam to
soothe your respiratory system. This will help to break up any buildup of mucus in your
throat, and reduce symptoms like congestions and sore throat.
Bee Balm Precautions
Even though Bee Balm is a well-known treatment for ailments, it should be noted that it
isn’t for everyone, and you should always test to see what it’s effect will be in small
doses. Studies have suggested that people with thyroid issues should probably avoid
using the plant for remedies. Try applying a small amount of bee balm to a quarter sized
area on your arm to see if any reaction occurs.