Category Archives: Herbs

How to take Goldenrod for allergies

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My savior

My savior

If you have ever read my blog, you know I am a huge fan of Goldenrod (Solidago spp.). It has changed my life by enabling me to wean myself of synthetic allergy medicines and liberating me from my allergy hell. As I delve deeper into its magical abilities, I am continually impressed with how well it works for a broad range of ailments. Here’s a glimpse into the amazing world of Goldenrod, it can ameliorate allergies, sinusitis, bladder infections, cystitis, urethritis, colds and flu, fungal infections, reduce aches and pains, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, fevers, diarrhea, depression, edema, tumors, eczema, gout and soothe arthritis and laryngitis as well as heal wounds. What’s not to love?!

Lately, people have come to me with questions concerning how to take Goldenrod and the proper dosage. I am afraid that there are no straightforward simple answers. Luckily, there are a number of ways to utilize its medicinal qualities for allergies. It is very versatile and can bring relief from allergies in a number of ways. It is important for each individual to learn what works best for their body and supports their lifestyle. For some, tinctures are the easy and fast solution, others infusions make more sense and so on.

First, it is essential to understand Goldenrod does not work when taken along with synthetic allergy medicines, so it’s best to use it on its own first. This can be scary for individuals that suffer a great deal from allergies and have depended on synthetic allergy medicines for relief most of their lives. I know, I was there, but luckily Goldenrod provides quick relief once taken.

Although there is quite a bit of crossover for other ailments, we will focus on taking Goldenrod for allergy relief:

  • Infusions ~ Sipping 1-3 cups a day will help dry up your runny, drippy nose. Sipping a cup all day long can provide quite a bit of relief. It can be combined with other soothing herbs or drank alone. Goldenrod makes a lovely drink, hot or cold. After the Boston Tea Party, the colonist drank “Liberty Tea” aka ~ Goldenrod instead of black tea. It became so popular that it was exported to China.
  • Tincture ~ For immediate relief, take 30-60 drops, up to 3 times a day. Taking a dose before bed helps to reduce waking up all congested. Remember less is always better, play around to see how little you need for relief ~ you can always take more. When the pollen is flying, add 30-60 drops into your water bottle and sip it throughout the day. You will get a low dose all day long; it is like being hooked up to a slow drip IV.
  • Jello ~ Children with allergies can be tricky; they can be very picky eaters or fear the strange and unknown. The recipe allows for 48 squares, and each square is a ½ a dose, allowing for multiple dosages throughout the day. Due to digestion, it remains in the system longer than a straight tincture dose therefore relief lasts longer.
  • Neti Pot ~ Make a light tea and strain it through a coffee filter ~ you do not want any plant material in your sinuses. Mix with a ¼ tsp. of salt and flush your sinuses. The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties really tighten up the tissues and reduce all the drippiness. Relief can last all day.
  • Chewing on leaves ~ Grab a leaf; chew on it to release the astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. When I am mowing the lawn and need a quick fix, Goldenrod is there!

Some people still make the distinction between culinary and medicinal herbs, but the truth is that there are numerous plants that overlap both categories. Goldenrod happens to be one of them. All of the aerial parts of the plant are edible. It’s fun to add the leaves or flowers to meals and it’s a great way to receive its healing benefits. Besides making tea from the flowers and leaves, throw some flowers on your salads. Instead of cooking with spinach, use the leaves and add them to your soups, stews or casseroles. I like putting them in my omelets along with some fresh Stinging Nettles and Dandelion greens.  In my book, there is nothing better than eating my medicine.

As I come up with new ways of utilizing Goldenrod, I will continue to share. What has been your experience with Goldenrod? Please share.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

 

 

 

The Little Alchemist

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Several years ago, I started a journey of exploration of a magical plant ~ Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris). It is a rather understated herb, often found in the borders of gardens, with cloak shaped leaves and small green petal-less flowers. Nevertheless, it was not named the “Little Alchemist” for nothing. As its genus name, suggests Alchemilla refers to it being highly admired by the great alchemists. They were particularly enamored with the little water droplets that remained on the leaves after the morning dew had dried on other plants. They thought that Lady’s Mantle was “sweating” crystal pearls of water, and collected in the center of its funnel-shaped leaves and along the leaf margins. The alchemist would collect the magical dew from the leaves because the water droplets were considered essential to the Alchemist’s “Great Work” ~ to produce the Philosopher’s Stone. These droplets were collected and used by alchemists in attempts to create gold. I doubt they were successful, but Lady’s Mantle does indeed have other magical qualities.

lady's mantleThe water collected on the leaves is not dew but created within the leaf itself through a process called guttation. The plant pulls up more water than it can use and the root pressure forces some of it to exude through the leaves through special structures called water stomata or hydathodes, forming the droplets. The result is “water” that is high in minerals, organic acids, sugars and even enzymes. Since the surface of the leaves are very hairy, the droplets tend to stay quite a while once they’ve landed there. I have noticed them at 4pm on a hot summer day. The big difference between guttation and dew is that guttation produces droplets generated within the plant and dew produces droplets from the atmosphere onto the plant surface.

Lady’s Mantle has many medicinal qualities. The leaves and roots are used primarily. However, when harvesting leaves, many including myself take great care to collect the magical droplets along with the leaves. Some “believed that to moisten the skin with the sacred dew would impart a special radiance of elfin allure.” I personally find that simply dabbing a little bit around my sore tired eyes is very soothing and reduces any puffiness and redness. Perhaps, I should dab it all over my face. I have also put a leaf with its magical dew on a tender breast cyst and found great relief along with reducing the cyst size.

Lady’s Mantle has become a strong ally during my perimenopausal journey. As my body and cycles change, I experience flooding. This tends to be very inconvenient when traveling to say the least. Lady’s Mantle is rich in tannins giving it astringent properties that are excellent for drying up, tightening and expelling moisture from tissues ~ therefore, reducing the flow. This magical herb is an emmenagogue, which means it stimulates and normalizes menstrual flow as well as being a tonic and strengthening the female reproductive system. Therefore, it assists people with irregular cycles as well as heavy flow cycles ~ it brings balance to each individual. It also contains salicylic acid and has sedative properties that help to alleviate cramps and painful menstruation. Lady’s Mantle strengthens the womb, and therefore may provide support for women who are have a difficult time conceiving or holding onto their pregnancies. Postpartum, it helps heal and restore muscle and tissues integrity along with strengthening lactation.

Even though Lady’s Mantle can easily be claimed to be a woman’s herb, during the middles ages it was better known for its vulnerary properties.  It’s astringent, anti-inflammatory and powerful styptic actions make it excellent for healing wounds. It is also good for any skin troubles ~ soaking inflamed wounds, rashes, cuts, scrapes, or burn is wonderful to soothe and prevent infection. Using a tea for a mouth rinse helps with spongy tissues such as bleeding gums, sores and ulcers by tightening up the tissues and stopping any bleeding.

Although I’ve discovered a lot about Lady’s Mantle, I feel like I am just scratching the surface with the Little Alchemist. What do you use it for? Please share and I will continue to share with you.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.