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Goldenrod is more than just a welcome source of nectar for pollinators, it is also a powerful medicinal herb for us. Fresh or dried herbs can be steeped in an infusion (tea) for treating the flu. Gargle goldenrod tea to soothe a sore throat. Rich in saponins and tannins, and bursting with bioflavanoids which strengthen the veins, goldenrod can reduce blood pressure, varicose veins, and fragile capillaries. Hulda Clark included Goldenrod Tincture in the first edition of her Kidney Cleanse recipe to help dissolve bladder stones and calcifications.
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If you see this abundant flush of little yellow flowers in rows, cut the plant at ground level and hang the leaves and flowers to dry. Not to be mistaken for ragweed, which has similar buds but lacks the bright golden color. The leaves are different, too. Goldenrod has single leaves while ragweed has dissected leaves. It’s important to know the difference because ragweed has wind-blown pollen that causes allergies while goldenrod has sticky pollen which makes it a pollinator favorite (and one that soothes the respiratory system, while the other irritates it). Just make sure to leave some for the pollinators!
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