Monarda: medicinal properties and contraindications, use in medicine, cooking and cosmetology

A plant from the Lamiaceae family is found in the wild only in North America, from where it was brought to Europe in the 15th or 16th century by seafarers who were looking for a short way to India and discovered the New World. Monarda attracted the Spanish botanist, who first described the perennial. The plant was later named after him. Flowerbeds and gardens began to be decorated with bright flowers, but it turned out that the monarda has medicinal properties, and has few contraindications.

Brief description and features of the plant

The herbaceous perennial has an upright stem, the height of some varieties reaches 1.5 meters.The toothed leaves are oval in shape, grow up to 15 cm long, up to 8 cm wide. The petals of the inflorescences, resembling heads, are painted in lilac, purple, scarlet or pink.

The stem of the monarda is covered with villi. In its upper part, flowers are collected in 20-40 pieces. The aroma of fresh grass combines the smells of citrus, mint, lemon peel. The aerial part of the monarda is used as a spice, seasoning.

Some plant varieties

The odorous perennial was given more than one name. It has been cultivated as bergamot, lemon balm, bee balm, Oswego tea, and American lemon balm. There are about 20 plant species that belong to the genus Monarda. Most often in the gardens there are perennials - ovate and double. All varieties have a bright aroma.

Used for decorative purposes and very popular with monard growers:

• fragrant;
• lemon;
• Bradbury;
• comb;
• red.

Grow in gardens hybrids of double and tubular type, the stems of which reach a height of 1 meter. Monarda dwarf is cultivated for spice production. In America and Germany, varieties of perennial plants with petals of various shades have been bred.

Useful and medicinal properties Monarda blooms in July, the first leaves appear in March and turn green until November, do not freeze in slight frosts. Herbaceous plant rich:

• essential oils;
• ascorbic acid;
• thiamine;
• riboflavin.

The benefits of monarda were known to the indigenous people of North America long before the discovery of the continent by Spanish sailors. But the healing properties of the plant were forgotten for several centuries. Monarda was planted as an ornamental flower, and the fragrant leaves and stems were added to dishes.

Now the perennial is cultivated on an industrial basis to obtain the essential oil contained in the petals. The healing agent has an antispasmodic effect, is an antioxidant and radioprotector and eliminates:

• stress and nervous strain;
• viral and microbial infection;
• increases hemoglobin.

Monarda oil restores immunity, relieves inflammation. Plant extract helps to eliminate carcinogens, reduces the symptoms of a cold.

Where apply

Monarda is added to food, used in homeopathy, in official medicine, in folk recipes.

Cooking

Flowers, stems and leaves of a herbaceous plant have a lemon flavor and rich bright aroma. Monarda greens season meat and vegetable dishes, fish snacks.

For making teas

Drinks get a bright aroma of bergamot if you add dried flowers or perennial stems to them. Both green and black teas become fragrant, acquire a citrus flavor when mixed with Monarda leaves.

Used as a preservative

To prolong the shelf life of products, substances have long been added to prevent the growth of microorganisms, the appearance of mold and a specific smell. The role of preservatives is performed by the essential oils contained in the monard, so it is put in cucumbers, tomatoes, fruits, rolled up in jars for the winter.

As a herbal supplement in salads

Fresh perennial leaves are used to spice up snacks. Put them in "Caesar" and "Olivier", fresh grass goes well with green onions, radishes, eggs. A very tasty salad is obtained if you take:

• 10 cherry tomatoes;
• 3 cucumbers;
• 2 yellow peppers.

Vegetables are chopped into cubes, olives and tomatoes are cut in half. Monarda greens are chopped and added along with pressed garlic. The salad is dressed with olive oil.

Shchi and borscht dressing

Spice improves the taste of first courses, monarda stems and leaves, give a pleasant smell to soup and hodgepodge. Together with fennel, dill, basil, young greens are used to dress borscht.

Buttermilk Cocktail with Monarda

An aromatic drink is made from an ornamental plant, which is used as kvass. For cooking, take 4 cups of low-fat cream and boil. 5 g of dry leaves are ground in a mortar, mixed with buttermilk and kept in the cold for a quarter of an hour.

Healing properties of the plant

Monarda disinfects and heals wounds, having an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. Decorative flower relieves inflammation in the oral cavity, reduces fever, eliminates itching.

In medicine

The value of a medicinal plant lies in its beneficial effect on the human body. When using Monarda funds:

1. Spasms and headaches pass.
2. Damaged cells are restored.
3. Fractures heal faster.
4. Ulcers in the oral cavity heal.

Decorative perennial is used in homeopathy, in official medicine. Powder is made from the leaves and stems of the monarda, infusions and extracts are prepared.

After conducting research, Russian scientists have confirmed the effectiveness of the use of the puffy variety in the treatment of bronchial asthma, tracheitis, in protection from radiation, in engraftment of tissues, in the conservation of blood.Anthocyanins present in the plant strengthen capillaries, promote the expansion of coronary vessels.

Leaves and flowers containing flavonoids and vitamin C have a calming effect, eliminate neurosis.

Recipes for Monarda medicines

To speed up the healing of wounds and abrasions, 2 large spoons of leaves and stems of the plant are infused in 250 ml of boiling water. The liquid is washed with damaged skin to eliminate the infection. The gruel is wrapped in gauze and applied to the problem area.

Children's laryngotracheitis

To cure a dry cough, get rid of bronchitis, use a decoction of Monarda. To prepare it, you will need a spoonful of leaves, flowers and a glass of liquid. Dry grass is poured into the dishes. Water is heated until bubbles begin to form on the walls and bottom of the kettle, and poured into a container with a monarda.The container is covered and wrapped with a blanket. Infusion treats sore throat, with bronchitis or laryngotracheitis, children are given to drink 1/4 cup of medicine 3 or 4 times a day. The tool dilutes the secret, and sputum leaves faster.

In everyday life

Monarda is used for inhalation. To get rid of colds and rhinitis, 2 tablespoons of a dry plant are infused in half a liter of water for an hour, boiled for 10 minutes, filled with a nebulizer. Stems and flowers of perennial grass are used to lay clothes made from natural fabrics to protect them from moths. Protects garden crops from aphids by spraying with Monarda infusion.

Plant essential oil is used for massage. Decoctions of flowers are used to wash their hair in case of hair loss and thinning.

How to use the plant depends on the disease for which it is chosen. Monarda tinctures help boost immunity, herb juice accelerates healing of wounds, tea fights colds, essential oil is used in aromatherapy and inhalations.

In fresh

Decoction of green grass strengthens the immune system. To cope with toothache, gum inflammation, colds, skin ulcers, medicines are prepared from fresh leaves, stems, flowers of Monarda.

Benefits of essential oil, infused

Decoctions used in the treatment of bronchitis are prepared from the plant, monarda juice disinfects scratches and cuts. Reduces exposure to radiation essential oil. It is added to tea, which helps to cope with radiation sickness. Doctors prescribe the drug to patients who have undergone chemotherapy. When using monarda oil:

1. Acne disappears.
2. The work of the sebaceous glands is normalized.
3. Lipid plaques dissolve,
4. Fractures heal faster.
5. Skin cells are rejuvenated.

To get the worms out, the product is mixed with glycerin and rubbed into the stomach. The oil is added to decoctions used for inhalation.

Infusions accelerate wound healing, fight germs, viruses, fungi, relieve coughs, treat bronchitis and tracheitis.

Monarda preparations

Extract from the plant and essential oil is part of cosmetic creams, lotions, added to masks. Monarda flowers and leaves are present in herbal preparations that are used to treat colds and coughs.

We use dried blanks

Decoctions, infusions and teas are made not only from a fresh plant. For the treatment of pathologies of the genitourinary system, diseases of the respiratory organs, colds, and to increase immunity, the dried aerial part of the monarda is used.

Technology for harvesting raw materials from flowers and leaves

For culinary, alternative medicine use, the plant is cut and left in the shade in the yard, attic, or in a room that is well ventilated.The collection of raw materials begins when the flowers appear. Stems with dried leaves are not crushed much, otherwise the fragrant oil will evaporate.

Product storage features

So that the monarda does not lose its useful properties longer, it is placed in a glass jar and hermetically sealed. Well-dried grass in linen bags, cardboard boxes, paper bags does not deteriorate, but loses its aroma. Store raw materials in a dry, ventilated area in a place where the sun's rays do not fall.

Existing contraindications

Although the plant has medicinal properties, infusions and decoctions from a fragrant plant should be used with caution. There are many components in the leaves and flowers, if one of them is intolerant, an allergy may occur. Contraindications for the internal use of aromatic herbs include:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding period;
• thyroid disorders;
• severe kidney pathology.

It is not recommended to use decoctions and infusions of monarda for children under 5.

For cancer patients, the herbal remedy should only be used as directed by a physician.

Possible harm

Decorative perennial rarely causes unpleasant effects. When the dosage is not observed, an allergy develops, which manifests itself in the form:

• sneeze;
• skin redness;
• itching and burning;
• strong tearing.

When these symptoms appear, antihistamines are used. With a decrease in immunity and hypersensitivity to the essential oil, the lips and larynx rarely swell, which, if medical care is not provided, is fraught with the development of Quincke's edema.

In order for the treatment with the use of an ornamental plant to be effective, relieve the disease, and not cause allergies, you need to properly store raw materials, prepare decoctions, ointments, infusions, observing the dosage.

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