Let’s talk Goldenrod, Solidago, spp., Asteraceae family! Solido: to strengthen or make whole.
It is time to harvest Goldenrod in my garden. I have been patiently waiting all summer. Last year was my year to watch Goldenrod and not harvest. I was blessed to have family members with the land that abounds in Goldenrod last summer.
You will know Goldenrod by its pine tasting leaves and flowers. When the leaves are crushed the smell is a fragrance of pine and salt. The S. odora has a sweet smell of honey. Alternating leaves, simple leaves. Maybe slightly toothed. So many different inflorescence arrangements.
Goldenrod plays an important role in the pollinators and insects in our ecosystems. I have a few with Galls this year. Very interesting to observe.
Let’s talk about Goldenrods deadly toxic look-alikes. Ragwort, groundsel in our local area are some of the deadly toxic look-alikes from the Senecio spp.
Let’s talk Goldenrods medicinal actions. Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, astringent, diaphoretic, to name a few.
Allergies, sinusitis, flu, colds, laryngitis, thrush, edema, gout, kidney stones, wounds, toothaches.
Just as the need came for Goldenrod in my family with UTI and allergies with congestion, it was ready to harvest. This has happened numerous times over the past four years. As we have had need God has given a medicinal plant. I am using a room temperature tea made of fresh solidago, tinctured Zea mays, and Usnea spp.
Also, my children are experiencing allergies with a cough this week. So I am making a fresh tea infusion with honey. This year harvest will be tinctured, infused in honey and an elixir.
What I find interesting about Goldenrod, Solidago spp. is the ability to target an area of the body by adjusting the temperature it which solidago is prepared. For instance, serves warm it tends to focus on the respiratory system. Served room temp or cold solidago will focus on the urinary tract system.
Let’s talk about preparations. Tea, tincture, vinegar, infused honey, syrup, mead, elixir and more. You could dry it as well for a wound wash.
Tincture it fresh 1:2 or dry 1:4.
There are precautions. Short term use because it is very astringent. Do not use in pregnancy. Few people could experience dermatitis.
I encourage you to go out and become friends with Goldenrod, Solidago, spp., Asteraceae family. Before I was familiar with solidago I thought she was the trouble for all my September allergies, because I could see the golden blooms in the fields. It is not solidage but ragweed which grows in the fields too.
Have a blessed weekend with a focus on welcoming Autumn on Monday! Time for a change, preparing for a rest in winter.
