As fall ushers in the promise of flower to fruit, we can marvel at the beautiful golden yellow stalks of goldenrod, otherwise known as Solidago, vibrantly thriving throughout September months. A highly medicinal and visually stunning herbal ally in the Aster family, goldenrod doesn’t disappoint with many medicinal virtues. Goldenrod is rich in flavonoids, polyphenolic molecules with antioxidant effects, meaning they fight free radical damage in the body, residue from pesticides, environmental pollutants, and more, as well as being a potent anti-inflammatory.
Allergy Remedy
Goldenrod is commonly known as an anti-allergic for the upper respiratory system. It is excellent for allergies of pollen and pets, particularly for those itchy nose, eyes with redness, and even sneezing. For any pet lovers with pet allergies: this is your ally to especially combat a sinus inflammatory response. My teacher herbalist, Claudia Keel, taught me about the energetic preventative dose of tincture: 3 drops, 3x a day for preventing allergy symptoms.
One way of making a supreme allergy tonic is steeping goldenrod in local honey for 6 weeks. This way, we combine the gifts of the goldenrod pollen along with the honey (another known helper of allergies). The more we consume and expose our body to local pollen, the more we teach our body not to overreact to histamine response, which is how this remedy works in our system.
Cold + Flu Remedy
In the winter months, goldenrod can be used alongside other deep immune system allies like elder and echinacea to fight colds and flus. When we have a cold or flu with fever, damp heat and infection can get stuck in the body, and goldenrod is one of many allies that drain that dampness and trapped heat, bringing it to the surface of the body and expelling it.
Kidney + Bladder Support
Goldenrod can be great for inflammation of the kidneys and also for bladder infections. It is not to be overlooked as support for UTI and kidney infections and the urinary system as a whole.
Flower Essence
Goldenrod as a flower essence transfers the signature of being tall and bright lighting the true pathway to the exploration of your heart.
How to Make Medicine
The fall is the perfect time to prepare your medicine cabinet for winter months, so if you have time to wildcraft goldenrod, keep a few things in mind: always properly identify the plant, and ask for permission to harvest. Once you feel the plant is ready to be harvested, place your healing intentions and find your way down 1/3rd of the flowering tops of the plant, harvest, and chop for tincture making. Instead of making a tincture, you can also dry the plant for tea and store in a glass jar. Steep 3 tablespoons of dried herb in 1 quart of hot water for at least 30 minutes. Both ways are wonderful remedies.
To learn more about herbs, check out our herbal glossary!
