The Flower You've Been Walking Past Without Knowing Its Magic

Welcoming in the Golden Time of Year

 Welcome to late summer/early fall, when everything begins to turn majestic shades of yellow, gold, orange, and brown. With another turn of the Wheel, we inch closer to Mabon/Fall Equinox, the second harvest season. The days continue to shorten, and the nights lengthen, while the temperatures begin to cool. Once again, we wake up to fresh, crisp mornings. It is during this time of year that I plant my greens and garlic, as well as harvest the many healing plants kindly gifted by the Earth Mother. One amazing healing herb you may see growing around you is Goldenrod (Solidago spp).

 “I know the lands are lit, with all the autumn blaze of Goldenrod” – Helen Hunt Jackson 

 Considered a “weed” by many, they can be seen flourishing in abundance along roadways, paths, meadows, and many other places right now. You'll see Goldenrod blooming in late summer/early fall and is a wonderful late food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Given a “bad wrap” as a cause of allergies (ragweed is the actual culprit), Goldenrod assists the body in reducing allergy symptoms. In fact, Goldenrod is anticatarrhal and one of the best herbs to use when supporting the body during periods of congestion. As an antioxidant, Goldenrod supports the body in preventing damage from free radicals due to environmental toxins, metabolic waste products, and ultraviolet radiation. In addition, it is aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, stimulating, antilithic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, and styptic. With all these amazing benefits, it is no wonder this wonderful herb supports the body’s respiratory and urinary systems. In fact, did you know that its Latin name, Solidago, means “to make whole” or “to cure”? How amazing is that?

“A weed is but an unloved flower” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

According to plant lore, if Goldenrod appears in your yard, then prosperity will follow. Goldenrod stems were even used as divining/dowsing rods to find not only water but also silver and gold. Goldenrod galls were worn as amulets for rheumatism in England.

Magickal Properties of Goldenrod 

Associations: divination, love, money, prosperity 

Planet: Venus 

Element: Air 

Energy: Feminine 

Energetics: Drying 

As Above So Below: Herbs ruled by the element Air are aromatic and can help “blow away” obstructions and congealment 

Goldenrod Raw Honey Recipe 

Tools & Ingredients: goldenrod flowers and leaves (dried), raw local honey, glass jar with lid, wax paper, label, marker 

Method: 

1.Dry aerial parts for a minimum of 8-12 hours.

2.Strip leaves & flowers from stem and add to glass jar. Lightly pack jar so that it isapproximately ¾ full.

3.Add honey to cover herbs. Let the honey settle and add more as needed to fullycover all the herbs.

4.Place a piece of wax paper of the jar and place lid on jar. Invert the jar several times to mix the herbs and honey together.

5.Label jar.

6.Check the honey after 24-48 hours and add honey as needed to cover herbs.

7.Allow the honey to sit for 2-4 weeks. Feel free to strain out the herbs or enjoy as is.

ENJOY!!! The Goldenrod Honey can be added to tea/herbal infusions, coffee, spread on toast, biscuits, bagels, etc. 

***All information is for educational purposes only. NaturalU – Wholistic Wellness and Last Home Farm make neither medical claims nor intend to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Please do your own research regarding the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.