Horsemint (Monarda punctata), also known as spotted bee balm or wild bergamot, has a long history of traditional use by various Native American tribes and early settlers for treating colds, fevers, and other respiratory ailments. The plant contains essential oils such as thymol and carvacrol, which are known for their antimicrobial properties. Historically, infusions or teas made from the leaves and flowers were consumed to alleviate symptoms of colds accompanied by fever, likely due to the plant's potential to induce sweating (diaphoretic effect), which was believed to help reduce fever and clear toxins from the body. Although these traditional uses are well documented in ethnobotanical literature, such as the works compiled by Daniel E. Moerman ("Native American Ethnobotany"), there is a lack of robust modern clinical studies directly evaluating horsemint's efficacy for treating colds or fever in humans. Some laboratory studies have demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of horsemint extracts, which may provide a rationale for its traditional use, but these findings have not been translated into clear clinical recommendations. Thus, while horsemint's use for colds with fever is supported by tradition and some preliminary scientific rationale, it is not strongly validated by contemporary clinical research.