Monarda didyma
Scarlet beebalm, oswego tea
Monarda didyma, commonly known as Bee Balm or Oswego Tea, is a vibrant perennial celebrated for its striking, tubular red flowers. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this medicinal herb is prized for its aromatic properties, offering soothing benefits for respiratory ailments and digestive health through its potent, essential oil-rich leaves.
- Scientific name: Monarda didyma
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Monarda didyma, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by its placement in the genus Monarda.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Monarda | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Monarda didyma, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 美国薄荷 (zh-hans) or 蜂香薄荷 (zh-hant), while in Welsh, it is called Bergamot (cy). It is also known as Goldmelisse (de) in German and pysznogłówka szkarłatna (pl) in Polish.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 美国薄荷 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 蜂香薄荷 | Wikidata |
| cy | Bergamot | Wikidata |
| de | Goldmelisse | Wikidata |
| pl | pysznogłówka szkarłatna | Wikidata |
| he | ברגמוט | Wikidata |
| ru | Монарда двойчатая | Wikidata |
| fr | Monarde | Wikidata |
| hu | vörös méhbalzsam | Wikidata |
| hsb | Šarlachowa zawobalenka | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several continents and regions. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented in both Austria and Germany. Its distribution extends into Eastern Europe, where it can be found in Central European Russia as well as South European Russia. Moving across the Atlantic, the species also inhabits parts of Eastern Canada, specifically within Ontario. Consequently, the range of Monarda didyma covers a vast area from the European continent to North America.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Central European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Ontario | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Illinois | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Minnesota | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Wisconsin | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Connecticut | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Maine | WCVP |
Chemicals
Monarda didyma has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DNA, anthocyanins, apigenin-7-glucoside, carvacrol, didymin.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| DNA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin-7-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carvacrol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| didymin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferulic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Monarda didyma has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Monarda didyma has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| yeasts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |