Fields of Gold

This isn't an analysis of Sting's 1993 soft rock ballad. Instead, I'm referring to the striking and tall appearance of goldenrod among our blooming autumn prairie flowers. The goldenrod's flower heads, made up of thousands of small, tubular, nectar-rich disk flowers surrounded by ray flowers, are often teeming with pollinators like honeybees, bumblebees, and wasps seeking late fall nectar.

Goldenrod belongs to the Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy family. The genus name, Solidago, is derived from the Latin word solidus, meaning "to make whole" or "to strengthen," highlighting the plant's recognized healing properties that have been acknowledged by medicine makers for centuries.

Before exploring the healing benefits of goldenrod, it's important to clarify that its pollen is not to blame for the discomfort of seasonal fall allergies. Goldenrod's pollen is too heavy and sticky to be carried by the wind, so it relies on insects for pollination. This contrasts with ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia), which blooms simultaneously and releases large quantities of small, particularly irritating, wind-borne pollen/allergens. Nonetheless, in defense of ragweed, it is also a native plant that provides essential habitat and nourishment for many insects.

A significant portion of our knowledge regarding the medicinal uses of goldenrod originates from Native American peoples. They traditionally utilized the roots and aerial parts of goldenrod both externally and internally to treat various ailments, including sores, infections, toothaches, burns, insect bites, and digestive problems.

Many modern Western herbalists utilize the upper aerial portions of the plant, including both leaves and flowers, as it begins to bloom. This plant is used in various forms, such as tinctures, oils, dried for teas or powders, vinegar, infused honey, elixirs, cordials, and even homemade soda! A quick online search will reveal numerous uses for each of these preparations. Goldenrod provides some highly versatile and dependable herbal remedies.

Interestingly, one of my main uses for goldenrod is as a remedy for ragweed allergies. Its astringent properties help alleviate the symptoms of runny eyes, runny nose, and sneezing associated with late summer and early fall allergies. Additionally, goldenrod is a good expectorant, aiding in the easy expulsion of mucus from the lungs, making it beneficial for sinusitis or the common cold. I usually prefer it in tincture form for convenience, but it is also effective as a tea—sweetened with local, raw honey for an added benefit. Alternatively, you can infuse it in honey, which is simple to do and keeps well into winter, making it particularly useful for soothing a sore throat and serving as a cough syrup.

Matthew Wood, a renowned local herbalist, suggests that for individuals with watery eyes resembling those of someone who just emerged from a swimming pool, whether from allergies or a cold, chewing on the flowers can offer relief. If you're dealing with seasonal allergies, it's definitely worth trying.

Goldenrod is thought to be helpful for cat allergies as well. Consuming a cup of goldenrod tea or a few drops of its tincture before visiting a friend who has cats might make the visit more tolerable—at least with regard to your sensitivity to cats.

My herbal mentor, Lise Wolff, suggests that goldenrod is also helpful for those times when someone feels so overwhelmed by their tasks that they can't motivate themselves to "get up off the couch" and accomplish them—essentially a "can do" remedy. It's not about burnout, but more about feeling overwhelmed.

Goldenrod can be used either fresh or dried to brew a flavorful tea. The American colonists referred to goldenrod tea as "Liberty Tea," as they consumed it in place of black tea following the historic Boston Tea Party. Remarkably, Liberty Tea became so popular that it was even exported to China! Some claim it contains more antioxidants than green tea!

Goldenrod is among the simplest plants to dry. On a dry day, once the dew has evaporated, select some tops that are about to bloom and hang them upside down in a warm, airy location. Since I'm often too lazy for even that effort, I usually just place the tops on wax paper or paper plates on top of some high cupboards and leave them for a few weeks. They always turn out perfectly.

A quick method to dry goldenrod (and other herbs) is to spread them out in your car, either in the trunk or inside, on a hot, sunny day. This approach often dries many herbs within a day. Plus, your car will have a pleasant aroma, depending on the herb.

Based on experience, if you dry goldenrod flowers at full bloom, they will turn into fluff or seeds during the drying process. To prevent this, pick the budding tops before they start to bloom.

Make sure to dry a good amount for your own locally sourced, free, wildcrafted tea! I find that goldenrod tea is most delightful when steeped for 5 minutes or less. If steeped longer, it tends to become slightly more bitter, which could actually aid digestion. However, when I want a soothing cup of tea, I prefer a shorter steeping time and often add a touch of honey.

The flowers and leaves of goldenrod can be infused in oil, which pairs well with oils from plantain, yarrow, and St. John's wort to create an effective wound-healing skin salve. Additionally, it serves as a soothing rub for sore, tired muscles and arthritis pain.

You might have observed growths known as galls on goldenrod stems. These galls, formed from plant tissue, house the larvae of various insect species. Folklore suggests that carrying a gall in your pocket can alleviate arthritis pain, provided the insect inside is alive. Additionally, these galls are frequently parasitized by wasps and consumed by chickadees, woodpeckers, and even hikers.

As if that weren't enough, goldenrod is also a wild edible plant. Its flowers and leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked like spinach, or included in salads, soups, stews, or casseroles. Additionally, the flowers have been used as a natural dye for coloring fabric, and the flowering tops make a beautiful addition to any fall bouquet.

This autumn, take some time to admire and appreciate the beauty and benefits of goldenrod.

See the children run as the sun goes down Among the fields of gold ("Fields of Gold" - Sting (1993)