Dr. David Orman

Bergamot (Monarda species), also known as bee balm, is a strikingly beautiful herb native to North America, long valued for both its medicinal and spiritual properties. With its vibrant blossoms and aromatic leaves, it has held an important place in traditional healing practices of Indigenous peoples, who used it for respiratory issues, fevers, and digestive complaints. The plant contains natural antiseptic and antimicrobial oils, making it a useful ally for soothing infections, sore throats, and wounds. Over time, bergamot’s reputation has expanded into modern herbalism as a versatile remedy that supports vitality and resilience.

One of bergamot’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to ease the body and mind simultaneously. Its uplifting fragrance has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing tension and stress, while its medicinal compounds help open the lungs and support clearer breathing. Herbal infusions made from bergamot flowers and leaves can act as a tonic for the immune system, bolstering natural defenses and restoring balance. In this way, it works on both the physical and energetic levels—clearing stagnation and encouraging the free flow of qi, or life force, throughout the body.

Beyond its medicinal role, bergamot carries a symbolic and spiritual presence. Often associated with vitality, clarity, and the energy of renewal, it embodies the natural connection between breath, spirit, and well-being. To sit with this herb, whether by sipping a warm infusion or simply breathing in its fragrance, is to invite a reminder of nature’s healing rhythm. In Taoist terms, bergamot harmonizes the external and internal worlds, offering not just a cure for symptoms but a restoration of wholeness. In this way, the humble flower reveals itself as both medicine and teacher.