The Holistic Hippy

Goldenrod the anti-allergy plant and more!
It's a sure sign of late summer-early autumn when the fields turn golden with an abundance of Goldenrod!

This plants latin name is Solidago, which means “to make whole or heal” and reflects its use in traditional herbal medicine.

Don't worry; this glorious member of the "Aster" family ( Asteraceae), is NOT an allergen which causes seasonal hayfever. That would be ragweed, which often grows near Goldenrod and has unremarkable green flowers. The 2 are often confused. As is common in nature, the cure grows by the culprit. The "anti-allergy" plant! As with any herbal supplement, do your deep dives and if on pharma, a convo is always suggested with your prescribing docs. This post is not intended as medical advice.

Some if its reported known benefits:

*Anti-inflammatory

*Diuretic properties

*Antioxidant

*Antimicrobial/antifungal

Heres some if its uses!

-Urinary tract health: used to support bladder and kidney health, address urinary tract infections.

-Seasonal allergies: to alleviate symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing associated with seasonal allergies. Heres where it earns its moniker of being the "anti-allergy" plant!

-Congestion and colds: It can help with congestion and colds by helping to break up mucus in the lungs and soothing sore throats. Great for Upper/lower Respiratory Infections.

-Wound healing: Historically, goldenrod was used topically to promote wound healing by making a poultice and applying.

-Antifungal Effects: It contains saponins that may inhibit the growth of harmful yeast, including Candida albicans, which can cause yeast infections.

-May help with digestive issues: Goldenrod's astringent and drying nature, attributed to its tannins, has been traditionally used to help firm up loose stools and ease diarrhea.

*Gas and Bloating: It's considered a carminative herb, which means it may help relieve intestinal gas and bloating, potentially by stimulating digestion and promoting peristalsis (the wave-like contractions that move food through the digestive tract).

*Digestive Stimulation: The bitter compounds in goldenrod are thought to stimulate digestive juices and improve the overall efficiency of digestion and nutrient absorption.

In some folk remedies, goldenrod is used to treat diarrhea by reducing inflammation caused by intestinal distress.

I like to harvest the plant when some of the flowers are open but not all. I prefer to harvest the top third of this plant, flowers, leaves inclusive of the stem that binds them all. Give a good shake to help along any hitchhikers! Rinse/quick cool bathe leaves on stem trying carefully not to get water on actual flowers and pat dry with a cloth/bounty. If you want to dry some Goldenrod to enjoy tea throughout the coming fall & winter, just hang up a bunch intact with stems in a cool, dry spot, until the leaves are 'crispy'. When the plant material is dry, I store it in a jar with dessicant packs away from direct sunlight and heat, to use later for teas/infusions/elixirs, etc.

To make a tincture:

1. Prepare the goldenrod:use cleaned fresh live plant. Chop the flowers and leaves into smaller pieces, discard the stems, into a large bowl.

2. Combine ingredients: I stuff a vessel/jar with 2/3 of the chopped plant/flower. Then pour 190proof alcohol/solvent to cover all the plant material plus an inch or so to allow for 2xdaily shaking.

3. Store: Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 3-4 weeks, or longer for a stronger tincture. If using 151proof solvent 4-6 weeks.

4. Shake regularly:Shake the jar 2xdaily or at very least, every few days to help the goldenrod infuse into the alcohol.

5. Strain and bottle:After the desired curing time, strain the plant material from the liquid using cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer. French press coffee makers work great too! Bottle the strained liquid in clean, Boston brown glass bottles and label with the contents and date!

The average dose most use for a tincture is 5-1 mL 2-3 times a day.

If using as a tea, Steep 1-2Tbsp of dried goldenrod per every 5oz of water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea before serving. Most consume 2-4 cups of tea each day. It is recommended to drink it between meals rather than with food.

BONUS! You can make also make jellys/honey too!

When preparing honey, I prefer dried plant flowers/leaves. I cover with locally sourced honey, Manuka to pack more of an antibacterial punch! I use 1/4cup of dried to 2cups of honey. You can adjust to what works best for you! If using live plants, you’ll notice as time goes by, the honey can get watery which is caused by the water leaving the live plant, so I prefer to use dried plant.

Go forth and FORAGE y'all!