Traditional Healing Herbs are gentle, nature‑centered ways of easing the symptoms of flus, colds,and digestive upsets, of working with chronic maladies, and of giving first aid for minor accidents such as cuts, bruises, and stings. For thousands of years, people have relied on plants for healing. Gathering summer plants for winter remedies is part of the year’s rhythm. There is a magic in the healing herbs of gardens. This magic consists not only of the plants’ reputed medicinal properties, but in the strong sense of connection and interdependence that comes from growing and collecting what you need to stay healthy. There’s a pleasant satisfaction, too, in preparing herbal remedies for your family, your friends, and yourself. When a child catches cold, one can open a bottle and take out a pill or brew a fragrant pot of peppermint‑yarrow‑elderflower tea. Each way of treating the cold has its advantages, but the sweet ceremony of brewing and offering tea may be as much of a remedy as the herbs themselves. Among the joys of summer can be growing and gathering beneficent garden herbs, drying them in big fragrant bunches for winter teas, and preparing a collection of herbal tinctures, syrups, oils, ointments, and cosmetics. In winter, we can use summer’s bounty to keep ourselves healthy.
Golden flowerheads bloom in late summer on plants that grow up to 4 feet tall. Best in poor soil, sun to part shade.
Traditional Healing Uses: Goldenrod tea has been a popular remedy for urinary inflammations, arthritis, chronic eczema, and excessive menstruation, and has been used to relieve kidney inflammation, periodontal gum disease, headaches, flu, sore throats, flatulence, and as a gargle for laryngitis. Crushed fresh leaves have been applied to wounds, sores, and insect bites.
Other uses: Flowers dry nicely for fall and winter flower arrangements.
Harvest: Collect leaves, stems, and flower heads of goldenrod as plants come into flower. Dry in the shade.
Preparation: Pour a cup of boiling water on 2-3 teaspoons of dried herb and infuse 10-15 minutes. Take 3 times a day.
Caution: Some people may be allergic to goldenrod.
