Wild Flavours
✨
Lately I have been capturing the medicine and essence of Monarda or wild Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa).
This is a plant whose steams, leaves and flowers contain many interesting medicinal compounds including carvacrol, which is also found in plants like oregano, thyme and marjoram.
In fact, tasting even one little pink flower petal most people will immediately exclaim “it tastes like oregano!”
Carvacrol, and the plants which contain it, can benefit digestive, gastric and upper respiratory imbalances and are often used for a wide variety of problems including nausea, head & back aches, fluid retention, chills and even encourages cooling via sweating.
Plus it tastes good and spicy!
Which is why I’ve been out in the hills harvesting it for the Light Cellar kitchen to make various preparations including wild Monarda infused olive oil, finishing salt, and what has turned out to be a vibrant pink vinegar.

Have you tried Monarda or wild bee balm?
Do you recognize it blooming in the hills?