Bergamot (citrus bergamia) is best known for lending its strong flavor to Earl Grey tea. But, within its herbal family is another species of bergamot called Monarda (also known as bee balm, oswego, and horse mint) which has strong antiseptic properties within the stalks, leaves, and flowers. These are the plants to grow if you want your own herbarium centered on oral health. As a bonus, Monarda plants make a perfect companion to tomatoes in the flowerbed, as they’re said to improve both flavor and quality of tomatoes. Monarda is safe for human consumption and easy to cultivate. It grows outdoors between summer and early fall. You can also buy it as a dried herb directly from growers; this saves you a step because the herb is ready to be used as a tea.
The history of bergamot’s use for oral health
The Blackfeet Indians have long recognized this antiseptic power, using poultices made from the plant to treat topical infections. They also prepared a tea (I guess you could say the earliest Earl Grey) from the Monarda sub-species, fistulosa and didyma, to treat mouth ulcers and throat infection. This is because, like thyme, Monarda bergamot is the source of thymol, (a main antiseptic ingredient in most commercial mouthwashes). It helps to reduce the germs that cause bad breath, and can help to relieve oral ulcers or sores as a part of your oral care regimen.
Make a tea
To steep the tea, just use the 1-to-1-to1 ratio: one teaspoon of herbs and one cup of water per one serving of tea, then wait for ten minutes while the tea steeps. This is a good primer for any herbal tea, though you could use more than one spoonful of herbs if you want a stronger tea.
Below, just for fun, is a video. The narrator does not brew bergamot/bee balm tea, but she does show exactly how to brew an herbal infusion. Use this recipe, varying the amount to your own preference, to brew a tea that will reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
Creating a natural mouthwash without harsh chemicals and fluoride is a good thing to do for your one set of teeth.
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