Bee Balm - Getting Ready To Attract Bees, Butterflies And Hummingbirds

by Elvira Peretsman

Title

Bee Balm - Getting Ready To Attract Bees, Butterflies And Hummingbirds

Artist

Elvira Peretsman

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

Bee balm attracts all sorts of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is medicinal, edible, and fragrant, tasting a bit like oregano and mint, with a long history of human use. Native Americans and early colonists used bee balm leaves and flowers to make a variety of medicinal ointments and drinks. Antimicrobial and soothing to the digestive tract, herbalists often use bee balm as a remedy to treat cold and flu symptoms such as sore throats, fever, and congestion. This plant is a natural source of the phenol thymol, an antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial compound also found in thyme, which is a primary active ingredient in modern commercial mouthwash formulas. A strong infusion can be used as a gargle for soothing sore throats, toothaches, and mouth sores. It is also commonly used topically. Mashed leaves can be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, support wound healing, combat infection, and soothe insect stings.
The bee balm plant is a North American native.
This plant has many common names, including bee balm, Oswego tea, and bergamot. The name bee balm may be attributed to its allure to bees, as well as its traditional use in soothing the pain from bee stings.
The bee balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple and white. Bee balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to add cheerful color to a garden.

*****
Honored to have this photo featured in the Fine Art America groups:
- 10 Plus
- ABC Group
- USA Photographers Only
- Visions Of Spring - Glances Of Summer
- Global Flowers Photography

*****
This image is available in different sizes and can be printed using a variety of materials. Besides museum-quality prints for your walls, this image can be used to create unique home décor items and other products. All purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
*****
This image is copyrighted and owned by the artist, Elvira Peretsman. All rights reserved. The image may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated or used in any way, without written permission of Elvira Peretsman. You can share a link to this image, as long as it directs back to Elvira's work.

*****
Tags: bee balm, flower, red, pollinator, bees, butterfly, hummingbird, medicinal, plant, edible, bergamot, oswego tea, monarda, perenial, garden, gardening, flowers, bloom, nature, flora

Uploaded

July 4th, 2020

Statistics

Viewed 2,680 Times  -  Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/22/2024 at 7:08 PM

Colors

Embed

Share

Sales Sheet

Tags