One Of My Favorite Fall Herbs

 

Goldenrod    Salidago spp

 

Goldenrod is usually blamed for causing allergies, but most of the time it’s that pesky ragweed.   Because Goldenrod is so readily seen it’s assumed guilty.  Goldenrod’s pollen is much too heavy to be borne in the air and relies on pollinators.  Actually, Golden Rod can often alleviate allergies including cat allergies.

There are over 120 species of Goldenrod and are often difficult to tell apart.  They are in
the same family as Dandelions, Sunflowers and Daisies and are native to North, Central & South America and Eurasia.  One specie was included in the Liberty Tea our forefathers used after the Boston Tea Party.

 ACTIONS:  Warm & dry.  Anti-catarrhal, anti-microbial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, aromatic, bitter, carminative, vulnerary, grounding, anti-depressant.

PARTS USED:  All parts of the plant

Gathering Goldenrod

 

PREPARATIONS:    Allergies: tincture and tea.  Muscle Pain:  oil infusion of aerial parts.  Kidneys: root decoction.  Fever: HOT tea (diaphoretic property raises body temp, causes sweating thereby reducing fever.)  Diuretic: Gout, edema, kidney stones-COLD tea.  Anti-depressant & SAD: tea.  Digestion: tea BEFORE dinner increases digestive fluids, tea AFTER dinner reduces bloating, cramps and gas. Diarrhea: tea (astringency dries up secretions while relieving cramps) carminative.  Flu: tea.  Sore throat: infused honey, w/sage for gargle.  Wounds, burns, sores: salve, wash or honey or poultice. Sinus: tea, syrup, tincture. Urinary tract:  tea-combine EQUAL PARTS w/ marshmallow, corn silk, uva ursi.  Drink room temperature.

TINCTURE:  Fill jar ¾ full of blossoms, fill w/100 proof vodka, steep 1 moon cycle (new moon to new moon or steep 6 weeks.  Strain, bottle ALWAYS label.     Fresh 1:2 ratio    Dry 1:4 ratio

Dosage: 2-4 mils 3 X day

For a powerful tincture blend combine 2 parts Golden Rod tincture, 2 parts elder flower tincture, 1 part yarrow tincture and 1 part nettle tincture.

 INFUSION/TEA: 1-2 tsp dried flowers: 1 cup water—10-20 minutes, strain, add honey to taste. 3 X day.

 

OIL:  Let flowers dry several hours after picking. Gather AFTER the dew has risen.  Your plants MUST be completely dry before adding oil or you WILL have mold.  Fill jar leaving 2 inches from the jar top and cover w/organic olive oil to the top making sure all plant material is under the oil.  Place in paper bag in indirect sun or on your cabinet from new moon to new moon (or 6 weeks)  Check every day or two; watch for mold!!!    If it’s just on the tippy top, dip it out—the oil should be fine. But, if there’s a lot, toss the whole operation and begin again.  Sorry, but this happens.  Strain, DO NOT SQUEEZE STRAINING CLOTH!!!  Let sit overnight; it will separate then pour off TOP oil leaving water. Use oil for strains and sprains or make a salve.

ROOTS: decoction

HONEY: Fill jar ½ full, cover w/honey.   Local honey will be more beneficial for you. Put on lid, leave 2-3 weeks, stir daily.  Strain (or not!)

DYE:  1 lb of FRESH flowers per 1 lb of fiber-leave in sun 2 days, strain.  Color depends on mordant: FOR GOLDEN COLOR add ¼ tsp alum per 16 oz liquid.  Wet fiber, squeeze out, add to dye then leave 2-5 days stirring daily.  Rinse under running water until it runs clear.  FOR MOSSY GREEN: add rusty water instead of alum.  (Soak nails in water a couple of days.  You can do this simultaneously while soaking flowers in water).

DRY FLOWERS:  2 parts Borax: 1 part white cornmeal: 7 -10 days.  Check often after a week—you don’t want them too dry.