7 Benefits and Uses of Monarda Essential Oil

Introduction

Monarda (Monarda fistulosa) essential oil is a steam distilled, colorless oil widely cultivated in the United States, Cananda and France. Besides being referred to as Monarda you may also see it with the names of Wild Bergamot, Horsemint, or Beebalm. You’ll see Monarda oftentimes going by the name Beebalm because it’s known to be a favorite plant of bees. Monarda essential oil has a pleasant, sweet aroma, with citrus and floral tones. It’s rich in geraniol, linalool, and citral which makes it a powerhouse oil for respiratory ailments and skin concerns.

Please note that there are three different chemotypes for Monarda essential oil – geraniol, carvacrol, and thymol, but for the purpose of this post we’re going to be focusing only on the geraniol chemotype, which can account for over 85% of the make up of the oil.

Benefits

Monarda essential oil is known to be a strong anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-infectious, and a wide-spectrum anti-bacterial. It’s also known for being an analgesic, soothing to the nervous system (especially in cases of insomnia and anxious or depressed feelings), great for the skin, and a very useful oil in respiratory ailments due to its anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties. Monarda is also a great essential oil to use for supporting the urinary tract system, especially during times of infection.

1. Germ Fighting/Immune Booster

Monarda essential oil is well-known to be a powerful germ fighter. As an anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and antifungal it’s a powerful oil to use when fighting off illness and for boosting the immune system. It’s a great air cleaner that’s especially useful when you’ve been exposed to any type of respiratory illness.

2. Respiratory Ailments

Due to its mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties, Monarda is a great oil to use when you’re dealing with respiratory concerns. It can help decrease the viscosity of mucus, making it easier to expel, while also soothing the linings of the respiratory tract. It’s also able to help open the airways and decrease swelling and congestion within the respiratory tract. Also helpful is its antiseptic properties discussed in the last section because these properties can help those dealing with sinus infections, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses to recover more quickly.

3. Insect Repellant

Monarda makes a great, natural insect repellant. There have been studies where Monarda has been investigated for its ability to repel mosquitoes, especially those carrying yellow fever. During the study it was found that Monarda not only helps to repel mosquitoes, but also gnats, and other types of biting insects. To use it as an insect repellant, you can mix it with a carrier oil and use it or a spray, or even set a diffuser on your porch or patio when you’re out enjoying the outdoors.

4. Skin Protection

Studies have been conducted testing the efficacy of Monarda essential oil on seborrheic dermatitis. The study concluded that Monarda essential oil inhibits the growth of microorganisms and is actually even more effective than hydrocortisone paired with vitamin B6 when it comes to decreasing inflammation that comes along with seborrhea. The same benefits are of great use when it comes to eczema and psoriasis, making Monarda an excellent choice of essential oils to support the healthy function of the skin. It works well with abrasions, cuts, rashes, and other skincare concerns and can speed up healing due its strength as an antimicrobial. Its antifungal properties make it a very useful oil to use for skin and/or nail fungal infections.

5. Soothe the Nervous System

Monarda is soothing to the nervous system, making it a great oil to use for anxious or depressive feelings and for sleep concerns. Monarda is known to depress the Central Nervous system, which is what gives it it’s ability to sooth the mind and allow for a restful night of sleep. Diffusing this essential oil for 15 minutes prior to bedtime can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more restfully.

6. Urinary Tract Support

Most urinary tract infections are due to bacteria. Unfortunately, due to the over-prescription of pharmaceutical antibiotics, many types of urinary tract infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatment, making it important to have other alternatives for treating these infections. Monarda’s anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-infectious properties make it a great oil to use to support the urinary tract system through times of infection.

7. Excellent Pain Reliever

Being that Monarda works as a powerful anti-inflammatory, it can also make an excellent pain reliever. Applying Monarda essential oil to the area of pain will not only decrease any inflammation in the area but will also act like an analgesic. For this reason, Monarda makes a great choice to use in any massage oil.

How to Use Monarda essential oil:

Monarda essential oil is best used aromatically or topically as a massage oil. Aromatically, you can diffuse the oil in a diffuser, use it in a personal inhaler or on a piece of aromatherapy jewelry, or simply take a sniff straight from the bottle. Topically, it makes a great massage oil and can also be used in a roller bottle for spot application for skin concerns, pain, and respiratory congestion. Remember to follow proper dilution guidelines when using any essential oil on your skin, it’s also best to do a patch test if you’ve never used the oil before to ensure you don’t have any undesirable reaction.

Safety Considerations:

Monarda essential oil has no known hazards, risk of adverse skin reactions, or contraindications, making it a great oil that can be used on just about anyone. It’s always a good idea to do a skin patch test prior to using any new essential oil on the skin, especially in children and those with sensitive skin.

Conclusion

Native American groups have been known to use Monarda essential oil throughout history for various health and wellness concerns including colds, flu, stomach pains, cardiovascular ailments, and treating all kinds of wounds. Today, Monarda essential oil is still an effective and worthy addition to any natural health and wellness kit.