Identifying Wild Bergamot
- 5–12 dm high
- Branched and hairy stems
- Leaves are petioles and toothed
- Square stems with gray-green foliage
- Flowers June-September
- Stamens surpass the upper lip
- Flowers are tubular, lavender, and bilabiate
- Found in upland woods, thickets, and prairies
Edible Uses
- For wild bergamot, all parts above the ground are edible parts
- Flavor is considered similar to Thyme
- Stems or leaves can be eaten raw or boiled
- The plant is extremely aromatic, so too much ingestion can cause irritation
- The flowers and leaves of wild bergamot can be used to create tea
- Leaves can be used as a substitute for oregano
- Wild bergamot can be added to vinegar to marinade and remove gaminess from wild meat
- Flowers can be added to baked goods
Medicinal Uses
The best medicinal use for wild bergamot is crunching the dried flowers and making tea.
- High thymol concentration
- High in antioxidants
- Antiviral
- Anti-fungal
- Astringent
- Antiseptic
- Antibacterial
- Can be used as a digestive aide
- May relieve cold and flu symptoms
- Soothes gum infections and sore throat
- A tincture can be used to wash wounds and rashes
- Can be used as a diuretic
Planting
- Sow seeds in flats during January
- 2–3 weeks required for seeds to germinate
- Soil should be 1/3 sand and 2/3 commercial soil
- Seedling should remain in flats for 6–7 weeks then planted in 3 inch pots
- Water whenever soil is dry to the touch
- Pinch off the top of the plants repeatedly to encourage bushier growing
- After 2 months they can be planted in a garden
- Large patches of wild bergamot can be helped by divisions every 2–3 years
- Wild bergamot can benefit from extra water during the summer
Wild bergamot is known to represent vitality and strength over one’s own life. Wild bergamot symbolizes free will and the authority of our own actions.
