The genus Monarda includes about 20 species of annual and perennial plants, but in our gardens there are mainly representatives of three species: Monarda fistulosa, Monarda didyma and Monarda citriodora.
Most often, this flower with an unusual appearance is used as a decorative crop. In America, where the monarda comes from, and Europe, it is also popular as a seasoning: dried leaves are used to flavor beverages (including alcoholic), oil and vinegar; fresh ones are added to salads, fish and some meat dishes.
Useful properties of monarda
Monarda is rarely used as a medicinal plant, but the range of its useful properties is quite wide. The aboveground part (grass) of the plant contains essential oil, vitamins, flavonoids, tannins and has a bactericidal, antiseptic, wound healing, diuretic, vasodilating, restorative and antioxidant effect.
Monarda infusions have a beneficial effect on the nervous system: they soothe, improve sleep, help with headaches caused by nervous overstrain. For the same purposes, the oil infused with dried monarda is used — it increases the stress resistance of the body and acts as a mild antidepressant.
Dried monarda tea is useful for digestive disorders, nausea, stomach colic. Among other things, this plant inhibits many pathogenic microorganisms, including E. coli, salmonella and others. Monarda oil is used for respiratory diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and others); anemia; general weakening of the body (after diseases, physical and mental fatigue).
Externally, fresh juice from grass is used for skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema and others), wounds; compresses and poultices with monarda grass are used to relieve the condition of joint diseases. Monarda oil is effective for dermatitis, acne; it is also rubbed into the scalp to strengthen hair and fight dandruff.
Monarda tea and oil are recommended for cancer patients after radiation therapy (strictly after consultation with their doctor!) — to reduce the effects of radiation, strengthen immunity, prevent relapses of the disease.
Medicinal raw materials are monarda grass, which is harvested during flowering by cutting off the tops of plants. It is dried in the shade under a canopy or in a well-ventilated room, stored for 1 year.
Contraindications to the use of monarda
Individual intolerance of the active substances included in the monarda is possible, so always be careful if you are using preparations of this plant for the first time. It is not recommended to use monarda for medicinal purposes during pregnancy, as well as to give it to children.
Leave a Reply