Earth Blessings Everyone!!!
When these gorgeous yellow blooms start to hit their peak in mid August in the North East many people mistake this plant for Ragweed. This mistake has given this plant a bad rap when in all actuality it relieves allergy symptoms related to Ragweed.
Fun fact! Most plants that cause any type of allergic reaction, whether it be internally or topically usually have the antidote growing near by. For ragweed, that plant is GOLDENROD. Beautiful golden blooms that remind us that Ragweed season is upon us and this gorgeous plant is here to help.
Goldenrod is a fantastic treatment when it comes to inflammation, making it the perfect counterpart in relieving allergy symptoms caused by Ragweed. The best way to use Goldenrod to relieve allergies is through a tea or tincture. Harvest when the plant is in full bloom.
For Teas: Dry out your Goldenrod in bunches or snip the flowers off and dry in one layer on a cookie sheet or similar tray for a few days, depending on the humidity in your area.
Steep in hot water.
Enjoy!!
For Tinctures:
Fill a mason jar 3/4 with fresh Goldenrod.
Fill the jar with 80 proof alcohol (highest proof vodka works great) above the herb, cap and let sit for at least 4 weeks.
Tinctures take a little time, so teas will work as a substitute remedy until they are ready.
This yellow beauty is also a great herb to dry to cure winter blues!! If you suffer from some seasonal sadness, the glorious yellow sunshine blooms of the summer is here to help! I like infusing a honey for this type of remedy.
Infused Goldenrod Honey:
Fill a jar 1/2-3/4 with fresh flower blooms
Pour Honey over until the herb is covered
Cap and let sit in a sunny window for a week
Enjoy in a tea or over a brandy for a sweet cordial.
Goldenrod is also very beneficial in treating Urinary Tract Infections and preventing the formation of Kidney Stones. Again, a tea or tincture is the best way to process Goldenrod for these types of ailments.
Let me know what you use Goldenrod for!!
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