Maryanne and Molly discuss strategy before the festival opens. |
Anyhow, it was the perfect time to harvest. In a few minutes I'll head back out and gather more to dry for the winter and to add to different teas.
First though, a pint of tincture. I will label it better shortly. The labels are all downstairs, and the jar will be headed there soon too.
We like to have it around because it has a very high thymol content, so can be used similarly to oregano and thyme medicinally OR culinarily. All of the different bergamots (various beautiful colors) can be used as a flavoring or garnish. Tea made from leaves and flowers is very strongly flavored, and in my opinion is best used as part of a blend because of that, and also needs some honey. The wild lavender colored variety is thought to be the most medicinally active variety.
Good during cold and flu season. Strongly antiseptic, so useful for sore throats and as a gargle for gums/mouths. The tea helps eliminate gas, too.
For an interesting booklet that you can download, check out this pdf!
https://www.herbsociety.org/herbs/documents/EssentialGuidetoMonarda._reducedsizepdf_000.pdf
And then I turned towards the other side of the yard, and it was glowing yellow.
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