Downy Woodmint
Blephilia ciliata

Other Names: Downy Blephilia, Downy Pagoda, Pagodaplant, Wood Mint, Monarda ciliata, Ohio horse-mint

Habitat: (Blephilia ciliata) Perennial herb Native to Eastern North America from Wisconsin to Vermont, South to Florida. Found in dry woods, thickets, fields, clearings and rural roadsides. Cultivation: Downy Woodmint prefers well drained fertile soil and partial shade, sow seed in fall as soon as gathered, cover lightly. Downy Woodmint is very aromatic, it attracts butterflies and bees to the garden. The plant stands about 3 feet tall the stems are branched opposite. The leaves are light green, whitish downy beneath, opposite, simple, subsessile to short-petiolate, lanceolate ovate and slightly serrate. Flowers are blue to purple, arranged in whorls and separated by a row of fringed bracket like round platforms or pagodas, hence pagoda plant. There may be as many as 6 to 7 pagodas full of flowers, per stem sometimes weighing the plant and bending it down. Flowers bloom is from May thru September. Downy Woodmint is now on the list of endangered plants in some states.

Properties: Downy Woodmint is edible and medicinal, the aromatic leaves, like peppermint, can be prepared like those of true mints, steeped in hot water, flavor jellies, sauces, dressings, cool drinks and hot tea. The tender basal shoots are used fresh in salads. The plants constituents are much the same as other mints. An infusion of the herb is used in alternative medicine as an alterative (for that run down feeling), analgesic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, carminative and tonic. The medicinal tea is used in the treatment of indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers. A warm poultice of the leaves will relieve a sinus headache. Chewing the fresh leaves kills bacteria in the mouth and is good for teeth and gums.

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Folklore: Used as a ceremonial smudging herb by some Native American tribes, to drive away evil spirits when a person was dying.

TRY THIS RECIPE

Medicinal tea: To 1 heaping tbls. fresh or 1 tsp. dry herb add 1 cup water steep for 10 min. take hot for coughs, colds, chills and fevers.