It's nearing the end of goldenrod season so if you haven't yet gathered any of this abundant plant, this is a great time to
do that!
Gather the flowering stalks of any species of goldenrod
(Solidago species). Pick the sunniest yellow flowers you can
find.
I gather the upper third or so of the stalk, and include the
leaves, stalks and flowers in all my medicinal preparations, as
well as for my dried goldenrod. I like to dry some for winter
teas that help in healing the flu. I steep this tea for about 20
minutes and it is helpful with fever and aches and pains. I also
make goldenrod tincture, honey, vinegar and oil with it. In any
of these forms goldenrod is down-right miraculous for helping
the symptoms of pollen allergies like ragweed in fall and oak
flowers in spring. Used the season before your allergies, it can
actually help heal them, used along with other wise woman
ways such as spending more time outdoors and tending to
your food choices wisely.
Today's project is infused goldenrod oil...
...it's pain relieving for muscle strains and sprains and general aches
and pains from overuse.
Fill a clean dry jar with fresh goldenrod, as described above, torn or
cut into small pieces. Cover the plant material with olive oil, poking
it down with a chop stick to remove air bubbles. When the jar is full
to the rim, cap it, and label it with the name of the plant and the
date and any other details you'd like to include. After about 6 weeks,
pour the oil through a strainer or piece of cheesecloth, squeeze the
herbs to get every bit of oil you can, and compost the herbs. Use the
beautiful golden-colored goldenrod oil freely on your skin and sore
muscles, or add a couple of tablespoons of oil to a bathtub. It is not
only pain-relieving, but the radiance of this sunny flower will fill
your being with golden light, too.