Oswego Tea
OTHER NAME(S): Bee Balm, Blue Balm, High Balm, Low Balm, Monarda, Monarde Écarlate, Monarde Échevelée, Mountain Balm, Mountain Mint, Scarlet Monarda, Té de Oswego, Monarda didyma, Té Oswego, Thé d'Oswego
Overview
Oswego tea is made from an herb called Monarda didyma. It has a smell similar to bergamot and has sometimes been used as medicine.
People use Oswego tea for flatulence, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use for any purpose.
Oswego tea is sometimes called bee balm. Lemon balm is also called bee balm, but these are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Oswego Tea overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Oswego tea is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Oswego tea is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy: Oswego tea is likely unsafe to use when pregnant. It might start your period, and that could cause a miscarriage.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Oswego tea is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Oswego Tea overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Oswego tea might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Fraternale D, Dufat H, Albertini MC, et al. Chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Monarda didyma L. essential oil. PeerJ 2022;10:e14433.