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How to take Goldenrod for allergies

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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.

Harvesting Goldenrod for infused oil

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Flowing with its vital energy

Flowing with its vital energy

Boy this harvest-year has been unlike any other year. Not only has it been the driest, I’ve been away traveling during key harvest periods. Every time I return, it seems like I am rushing outside to see who still is vibrant and flowing with their vital energy and ready to be harvested. It is paramount to harvest herbs during peak moments to capture their healing energies. That is, if you want your tinctures, oils and dried herbs to be potent. And of course, we do!

Normally, I have until mid-October to finish harvesting Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), but not this year. By the last week of September, most of the blossoms were turning, the leaves eaten and some fungi starting to show up. I had to get out there as quickly as possible to harvest some of my precious golden beauty while it was still available and, of course, leave some for our lovely pollinators. Working with Mother Nature is such a beautiful ballet, although challenging at times. Luckily, I have been harvesting a batch here and there all season and only needed a bit more for infused oils to ensure I have enough for the coming year.

Salves made with Goldenrod oil are very versatile. They are particularly good on old, slow-healing wounds that ooze and refuse to heal completely. A couple of years ago, my Mother had a little patch of skin removed due to skin cancer and the dermatologist recommended applying petroleum jelly daily when she changed her bandages for six weeks. After several days, she said the wound was hurting. I recommended that she replace the petroleum jelly with my Golden Relief salve (made with Goldenrod oil). Within several hours, she happily exclaimed that the pain was gone. The bonus was that it only took two weeks to heal completely, not six.  It is no doubt a champion vulnerary. Goldenrod has been used for centuries. The ancient Germans considered Goldenrod to be the best wound herb and collected it before battle as a precaution.  Its astringent and anti-inflammatory actions help tighten tissues; its analgesic, antiseptic, disinfectant, and anti-microbial actions all assist the body in healing quickly.

Moreover, Goldenrod’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions relieve muscle pains and aches including arthritis. It also provides quick relief when used for menstrual cramps. Nothing is better than massaging a little salve on my lower belly and finding relief within moments.

Finally, I love combining it with St. Johns wort and Arnica oil, creating a fabulous pain relief salve. The three work in concert to relieve pain from muscle and tendon injuries, aches, arthritis while reducing swelling. It really makes a powerful pain relief salve ~ that’s why I call it Pain Begone!   As you can see, Goldenrod oil is essential to our apothecary.harvesting-goldenrod

Making infused oil

  • Collect the flower tops and leaves. Make sure the leaves are free from fungus and blemishes.
  • Tear apart the flower buds and leaves, discard stems and put in a clean dry glass jar.
  • Fill jar ¾ full, don’t pack the jar tightly as herbs expand when they become saturated with the oil.
  • Add oil (I prefer organic cold 1st press virgin olive oil) to the jar, leaving about ¼ inch from the top.
  • Stir; make sure all the herbs are saturated and completely covered.
  • Cap and shake.
  • Label the jar with the name of the plant, oil, harvest location, and date.
  • Put in a dry place that gets full sun. I put all my infused oils on a windowsill that gets southern exposure on the 2nd floor of my house. You might want to put a dish under it as sometimes the oil oozes out.
  • Shake every day.
  • Periodically, open and check for condensation on the lid and rim, if you find some, simply wipe off and recap.
  • Wait 6 weeks. Just so you don’t forget, mark your calendar and note the date the oil will be ready
  • Strain the oil through a cheesecloth or muslin and let sit over night
  • The leftover herbs and moisture will have settled and you do not want that in your oil, so strain again through cheesecloth the next day. Sometimes you will need to strain the oil several times before it is crystal clear. It should not be cloudy or have any sediment.
  • Your oil is ready, you can use it as is or make it into a salve.

Everyone has their own way of making infused oils; I put all my infused oils on a windowsill that gets southern exposure on the 2nd floor of my house and check periodically for condensation. The temperature stays rather constant throughout the year, reducing the likelihood of condensation. There are many ways to make infused oils. This is just one way. I have tried various methods, learned from many herbalists, read a great deal and this way resonates with me and gives wonderful results. Some herbalists only use dry herbs, others let their oils sit in the dark; or control the heat; let them sit for 2 weeks, a lunar phase…there are so many options. My way is just one way, my way; it just simply makes sense to me. Feel free to experiment and see what method works for you.

How do you make infused oil? Please share and I will continue to 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.