Golden balm (Monarda didyma) is a plant of the labiates family. It grows primarily in the United States and is used as an ornamental, useful and medicinal plant.
Occurrence and cultivation of golden balm
Because of its beautiful flowers, golden balm was imported to Europe as an ornamental plant. Golden balm is also called Indian nettle or scarlet monarde. It belongs to the genus of monards. This in turn is part of the labiates family (Lamiaceae). The plant grows in the eastern United States in humid areas. The optimal location for golden balm is sunny with humus-rich soil and a good supply of nutrients and water. Because of its beautiful flowers, the golden balm was imported to Europe as an ornamental plant. Here it can be found in many gardens today. Golden balm is a perennial perennial plant. It grows herbaceously and can reach a height of between 80 and 150 centimeters. The square stems are erect. On them sit opposite short-stalked stem leaves. The leaves are 15cm long and 5cm wide. The leaf margin is slightly serrated. Between June and September, the red lip flowers appear at the top of the plant stems.
Effect and use
The main active ingredients of golden balm are essential oils. Thymol, carvacrol, cymene, geraniol, linalool and camphene give the plant its fragrance and effect. Tannins, bitter compounds and anthocyanins are also components of golden balm. The essential oils of golden balm are similar to the essential oils of thyme. The spectrum of action and the areas of application of the two plants are therefore comparable. Golden balm has a positive effect on the respiratory tract. It loosens stuck mucus in the bronchial tubes and thus clears the airways. Thus, it is often used for coughs and colds. For a golden balm tea, a teaspoon of dried or fresh herb is poured over 1/4 liter of boiling water. The tea is ready after a brewing time of five minutes. For a more gentle tea extract, golden balm tea can also be prepared as a cold brew. For this purpose, the herb is added to 250ml of cold water in the morning. In the evening, this cold brew is then heated. For respiratory diseases such as cough or bronchitis, two to three cups of tea per day are recommended. The tea is very tasty. Its lemony-spicy aroma is reminiscent of bergamot. Since golden balm also has a diaphoretic effect, the tea is also good for feverish infections. Golden balm tea is also drunk for nausea and indigestion. Golden balm strengthens the digestive organs and can relieve flatulence. The plant also has an influence on the nervous system. It helps with headaches, migraines and with difficulty falling asleep. The flower heads are especially suitable for a relaxing tea. To regulate menstrual disorders or menopausal symptoms, golden balm can be taken as a tea or tincture. It contains an active ingredient similar to phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are secondary plant substances that have a structural similarity to estrogens and can thus have an estrogenic or antiestrogenic effect. To make a golden balm tincture, mix a handful of flower heads with 250ml of 40-proof alcohol in a sealable container. The mixture should steep in the sun for three to four weeks and be shaken once a day. After that, the mixture is filtered and poured into a dark bottle. Depending on taste, the tincture can be diluted with boiled water to 20-30 percent. It is recommended to take 15-20 drops daily. Other uses of tea and tincture are weather sensitivity, headaches and sleep disorders. Extracts of golden balm can also be used to support mild depression. For external use on wounds and for skin care, both the tea and the diluted tincture can be used. The oil extract of golden balm also has a refreshing, cleansing and vitalizing effect in skin care. The oil extract is prepared similarly to the tincture. The alcohol is simply replaced by olive or sunflower oil. But be careful, in too high a concentration, golden balm has a skin-irritating effect. However, golden balm is not only a medicinal plant. Due to its spicy taste, it can also be used in the kitchen. Salads, vegetable and meat dishes it gives a Mediterranean aroma similar to thyme.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Golden balm has a long tradition as a medicinal plant.Already in 1569 it was mentioned by the Spanish botanist Monardes in a book about the American floral world. It is to this botanist that the golden balm owes its name. Even the Oswego Indians drank golden balm tea. They used the herb especially for colds and stomach aches. That is why tea made from golden balm is often called Oswego tea. Golden balm has been cultivated since 1737. The plant gained historical importance at the end of the 18th century. At that time, the colonists in the USA boycotted the actually very popular black tea, which was supplied from England. As a substitute, tea from golden balm was drunk. This resistance against the colonial policy of the British went down in history as the Boston Tea Party. In Europe, golden balm is still more of an ornamental than a medicinal plant. This may be the reason why it is not mentioned in the monographs of Commission E. Commission E is an expert commission consisting of biologists, physicians, alternative practitioners, pharmacologists and toxicologists. It is part of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and collects scientific material on the effects of medicinal plants. Since the constituents of golden balm are very similar to those of thyme, one could follow the monograph of Commission E and the monograph of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) for thyme. Both societies attest to thyme’s beneficial effects in respiratory diseases.
