Horse Mint, Spotted beebalm

Monarda punctata

Basic Information

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Genus: monarda

Plant ID (slug): monarda-punctata

Numeric ID: 24616

USDA Hardiness: 5-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Monarda punctata is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - Louisiana and Florida, north to Long Island.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment Tea Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong aromatic taste, they are used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods, and also as an aromatic tea[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Rubefacient Stimulant Stomachic Vesicant Horse mint was traditionally taken by several native North American Indian tribes to treat nausea and vomiting, and to encourage perspiration during colds. It was also applied externally as a poultice to treat swellings and rheumatic pains[254]. Nowadays it is used primarily to treat digestive and upper respiratory tract problems[254]. The leaves are carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic and vesicant[4, 61, 238]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of flatulence, nausea, indigestion, catarrh in the upper respiratory tract, and to induce sweating and promote urination[4, 254]. The herb is principally used externally as a rubefacient, applied as a poultice it helps to lessen the pain of arthritic joints by increasing the flow of blood in the area and thereby hastening the flushing out of toxins[4, 254]. The leaves can be harvested before the plant flowers, or they can be harvested with the flowering stems. They can be used fresh or dried[238]. The plant is a rich source of the medicinal essential oil 'thymol', which is antiseptic[4, 213, 222]. The plant has been commercially cultivated for its essential oil, though this is now produced synthetically[222]. Thymol is also an effective hookworm remedy, but must be ingested in such large quantities that it can prove fatal to the patient[213].