MAY 24, 2011 WHAT IS BERGAMOT ?

"SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO LIFT YOU HIGHER"

---Oprah Winfrey

It sounds so logical so why don't most of us do just that? I am one of those people although in the last eight years I did a lot of gardening....no weeding. Gardening is for new things to grow while weeding is eliminate the bad growth within the good growth. When I first got sober almost seventeen years ago, I was told to hang out with the winners. I must have listened because I am still here. I cannot be with those individuals who have negative vibes or bad karma. I do not like character assassination (gossip) but I sometimes partake. I am human. I am NOT perfect. There is no perfection only progress. I am going to meditate (NOT MEDICATE ) to remove or lift that character defect from my personality. When a weekend environment is full of drama and gossip, it is difficult to remove myself. I am aware, acknowledge and now must accept this new task I have placed upon myself.

I have not seen Bergamont, also known as Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa, M. didyma) in the New York Region. I didn't even see it when studying in Ithaca. I remember seeing Bergamont in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia. I never have seen it in the desert regions of Arizona or Nevada. I have seen it along roadsides. I decided to write about Bee Balm today because I planted it the front garden of Pride House in Cherry Grove, New York.

The young leaves can be eaten raw. The flowers of M fistulosa have an oregano like taste. I want to use the flowers in a garden salad and in sun tea.

I have read that the dry leaves can be used in a meat marinade. I have seen the flowers used as a garnish. Of course I would use the flowers and leave in cold sun tea. I will add spearmint or peppermint from the garden. I love fresh brewed sun tea with true garden flavors.

I wouldn't pick it along roadsides because of the exhaust from automobiles, trucks and vans.

The medicinal use of Bee Balm is as a hot tea for colds and flu. It also great for headaches. It is a great prevention for mucous production and soothes bronchial complaints. The tea can be rubbed over skin eruptions.

Historically, the native Americans drank the tea to relieve arthritic pain.

Until tomorrow...