Zone: Inner Garden (The Kitchen Pharmacy)

Season of Interest: Summer (July – August)

The Doctor’s Notes (Medicinal Use)

Dr. Woodward would have recognized Bergamot as a powerful "carminative" and antiseptic. It was a staple for soothing both the mind and the stomach:

• Digestive Aid: A warm tea made from the leaves was a common 19th-century remedy for flatulence, nausea, and stomach cramps.

• The "Oswego" Cold Remedy: Following the traditions of the Oswego people, early settlers and doctors used the plant to treat colds, sore throats, and bronchial congestion.

• Antiseptic Wash: Because it is rich in thymol (the same compound found in Thyme), it was used as a wash for minor wounds and skin infections.

The Household Assistant (Homestead Use)

For the Woodward family, Bergamot provided a sense of luxury and practical garden benefits:

• Liberty Tea: After the Boston Tea Party, many patriotic New England families used Bergamot leaves as a substitute for imported British tea. It produces a citrusy, Earl Grey-like flavor that was both symbolic and delicious.

• The Pollinator Magnet: True to its name "Bee Balm," it was planted to attract honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden, which helped ensure the success of the family's nearby vegetable crops.

• Potpourri: The dried leaves and flowers were often used to scent the museum's rooms, providing a fresh, spicy aroma during the humid Connecticut summers.

Botanist’s Corner

• Form: A hardy, clump-forming perennial that grows 2 to 4 feet tall. It has distinctive square stems, a hallmark of the mint family.

• Foliage: Features opposite, lance-shaped leaves that are highly aromatic when bruised or crushed.

• Flowers: Produces striking, shaggy "pom-pom" clusters of tubular flowers in shades of scarlet red, pink, or lavender.