Find out how you can identify, harvest and use goldenrod - the golden weed packed with health benefits. This post also offers a few tried and true recipes...

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What is goldenrod and where can it be found?

Goldenrod cross pollinates very successfully, so there are over 100 species of goldenrod. The goldenrod we’re talking about is found in Eastern Canada, but goldenrod can be found all over North America.

It stands between three to six feet high with a sturdy woody stem and long pointed deep green leaves.

If you’ve driven around the country in summer and fall, you’ve seen goldenrod. It’s a tall, sweet smelling weed with bright deep golden trumpet shaped lacey flowers. Goldenrod flowers will begin to bloom in late summer to early fall.

You will see the goldenrod growing in large patches in unharvested hayfields and along roadways, ditches and bush-lines. It’s a hardy perennial, so where there is one there are many.

As this plant blooms late in the season, it’s one of the last sources of nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies, so if you’re going to be harvesting goldenrod - do so sparingly.

Leave enough for healthy regrowth and for the insects and animals that rely on it. I will generally take a walk and pick or cut a few stalks from each patch as I go. I will often stumble upon patches that bees and monarch butterflies are enjoying - I skip those patches so I don’t disturb their feast.

It’s best to cut large (two foot) stalks of goldenrod so you can utilize the leaves and flowers.

This weed was historically used to treat open wounds, pain and inflammation and infection. Modern herbalists and homesteaders use it much the same.

Goldenrod can sometimes be mistaken for ragweed, as ragweed is also tall with budded tips, but ragweed will not produce the same vibrant flowers. Ragweed is the one that will flare up your allergies, goldenrod is the one that will treat the symptoms.

The Many Benefits and Uses of Goldenrod.

Modern herbalists, homesteaders and foragers use goldenrod to make teas and salves to treat and prevent a large number of common ailments and conditions. Goldenrod can be dried to preserve and make into hot and cold drinks, it can also be infused in oils and high proof alcohol to make and salves and tinctures.

Goldenrod is an anti inflammatory, anti microbial, antioxidant, anti-catarrhal, diuretic, diaphoretic and an astringent. Basically, it’s packed with benefits for both internal and external use - but we want to make sure it’s worth our time. So we will unpack that list of benefits above.

Oils, tinctures and teas infused of goldenrod are said to treat or aid with the healing of gout, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, sore throats, respiratory conditions, congestions, allergies, muscle pain and spasms, fevers, diarrhea and flatulence.

That seems like a lot, but when you consider the fact that it carries so many beneficial properties, it really makes sense.

As an anti inflammatory the goldenrod plant is a fantastic, natural and cost effective option to treat muscle pain, sore throats and, since it is also a diuretic (increases your urination) it’s a terrific tool to have when battling kidney stones or urinary tract issues.

Dry goldenrod is great to preserve, as it lasts nine to twelve months and to make teas or drinks. Goldenrod drinks, both cold or hot, can really boost your health or treat some common issues you might be dealing with.

As an antioxidant and anti-catarrhal, a tea or drink made of goldenrod infused tea can really accelerate your healing process when battling colds, flues or urinary/kidney issues. (Yes, I have included recipes for teas and drinks below as well as drying techniques.)

As an anti-catarrhal, goldenrod removes excess and unwanted mucus from your lungs and respiratory tract.

During cold and flu season, a hot goldenrod tea with lemon and honey is just what you need. Or, if you’re like me and get cursed with kidney stones from time to time, a goldenrod tea, sweet tea or even tincture (goldenrod infused alcohol) can help reduce inflammation and increase urination to flush the stones and calm the discomfort.

Did you know that goldenrod offers more antioxidants than green tea?

Goldenrod oil (recipe below) and salve (made from the oil) is rubbed on sore or spasming muscles, wounds, skin irritation, burns, eczema and gout paired with antimicrobial properties, goldenrod also prevents the growth of bacteria (or infection).

Goldenrod oil can also be used to make lotions, soaps and salves.

Goldenrod tincture (again, recipe below) can be used to treat oral or internal conditions. It’s an alcohol infused, goldenrod potent tincture used to treat symptoms of the common cold or flu, kidney stones, urinary tract issues, congestion and allergies.

A few drops or goldenrod tincture daily will also act as a liver cleanse or fast tract way to ingest a concentrated amount to treat other internal concerns with the urinary, respiratory or digestive system.

How to prepare, use and preserve goldenrod.

Goldenrod can be used fresh for teas, drinks, oils and tinctures or dried to preserve for months and use for recipes all throughout winter.

Drying Goldenrod and How to Use Dried Goldenrod

There are two ways that I use to dry goldenrod. The quick way - an electric dehydrator, or the slow way - hanging to dry. CLICK HERE to see the dehydrator that I use and love.

The quick way will take between 6 to 8 hours. Set your dehydrator to 120º F and lay the clean goldenrod leaves and flowers in single layers. You can store the dried goldenrod in a mason jar in a dark, cool space for 9 to 12 months.

Now for the slow way. After I have enough goldenrod dried and stored in mason jars, I will pick a bouquet to hang dry as backup. You can tie your bouquet of goldenrod with butcher's twine and hang the flower side down for about ten days. Environmental factors might change drying time.

You can store the leaves and flowers from the dried goldenrod in a mason jar for nine to twelve months. Dried goldenrod can be used for almost any recipe that you would use fresh goldenrod in, as well as to make delicious and healthy drinks and teas.

To make goldenrod teas or drinks, the dried flower and leaves need to be infused into hot water. Place three tablespoons of dried goldenrod in a mason jar and pour boiling water on top (approximately two cups). Stir to remove any air bubbles and allow the mixture to sit for at least fifteen (15) minutes.

Once the goldenrod has been infused into the boiling water, you can separate the dried flowers and leaves from the boiling water by pouring the mixture through a coffee filter.

The infused goldenrod water can be used to make drinks, such as lemonade or sweet tea or a hot tea mixed with honey and/or lemon.

Goldenrod lemonade and sweet tea (recipe below) is a fantastic summer drink to get the benefits of the goldenrod into your system, especially if you’re fighting urinary issues, kidney issues or allergies.

Goldenrod tea, when paired with honey and lemon, will treat the common cold or flu and the digestive, congestion and sore throat that comes with it.

Healthy Goldenrod Lemon Sweet Tea

3 TBSP dry goldenrod leaves and flowers

2 cups boiling water

¼ cup honey - local is best

2 cups water

3 lemons - juiced (or about 1/2 a cup of lemon juice)

3 cups cold water

Put three (3) tablespoons of dry goldenrod leaves and flowers into a mason jar. Fill the mason jar with boiling water (just under two (2) cups of boiling water). Stir to release any air bubbles and cover. Allow this mixture to sit for at least fifteen (15) minutes so the goldenrod can infuse into the water.

In a small pot, bring two (2) cups of water and a (quarter) ¼ cup of honey to a boil. Allow this mixture to boil for five (5) minutes and remove from heat.

Strain your goldenrod tea that is infused in the mason jar into a large pitcher (about 2 liters in size) through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. You can toss the used goldenrod into the compost or garbage.

Add the honey and water mixture to the pitcher with the goldenrod tea.

Juice 3 lemons and add the lemon juice to the pitcher with the honey and goldenrod tea mixture.

Top the pitcher off with cold water. This should be about 3 or 4 cups of cold water.

Stir your mixture and refrigerate until cold. Stir again before consuming and enjoy!

Goldenrod Winter Cold Tea

3 TBSP dry goldenrod

2 cups boiling water

1 lemon - juiced (or 3 tbsp lemon juice)

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

1 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional)

Put 3 tablespoons of dried goldenrod into a mason jar or a mug with a tea infuser like a tea bag or tea ball.

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the dry goldenrod or infuser and allow the tea to sit for 15 minutes.

If you’re using a mason jar, separate the dried goldenrod from the tea (or boiling water) by straining it through a coffee filter into a mug.

If you’re using an infuser, all you have to do is remove it from the mug.

Stir in the honey until it is melted and completely combined. Add your lemon juice, stir and enjoy.

If I am feeling particularly crummy, I find adding apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper to this hot tea really helps the congestion and sore throat a bit more.

Goldenrod Tincture

1 cup fresh goldenrod

400 mls vodka (or other clear 80+ proof alcohol)

1 500 ml mason jar

In a 500ml mason jar, place approximately 1 cup of fresh goldenrod flower and leaves.

Fill the jar with vodka, or another eighty (80) proof clear alcohol.

Stir your mixture to release any bubbles. Cover the mason jar and place in a cool, dark and dry area. Your root cellar or cold storage is a great place for this.

This tincture must sit for at least six (6) weeks before straining the leaves and flowers out through a cheesecloth or coffee filter.

After at least six weeks, strain this tincture into a dark amber bottle or blacked out mason jar through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Cover the mason jar and store in a cool, dark place. This tincture will last almost a lifetime.

Goldenrod tincture is used much like goldenrod tea, except it is a more concentrated form can be taken in a smaller dose. Instead of a mug or cup of tea, you can dose and take 2mls to 3mls 3 to 4 times daily while treating cold, flu, digestive, urinary or kidney issues.

Goldenrod Oil

1 cup fresh goldenrod

400 mls olive oil

1 500 ml mason jar

In a 500ml mason jar, place approximately 1 cup of fresh goldenrod flower and leaves.

Fill the jar with olive or coconut oil.

Stir your mixture to release any bubbles. Cover the mason jar and place in a cool, dark and dry area. Your root cellar or cold storage is a great place for this.

This oil must sit for at least six (6) weeks before straining the leaves and flowers out through a cheesecloth or coffee filter.

After at least six weeks, strain this tincture into an amber bottle or painted mason jar through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Cover the mason jar or bottle and store in a cool, dark place.

Goldenrod infused oil will last six to nine months.

Goldenrod oil can be used as a base for salad dressing, but it’s more commonly used on its own or to make lotions, soaps and salves that will offer all previously mentioned benefits including cleaning and tightening pores.

A salve with a beeswax base is excellent for wounds and burns. I like to find local beeswax to purchase for this. A simple Google or Facebook search or a trip to a local farmers market can help you find local honey and beeswax.

The oil can be used directly on sore or spasming muscles, gout, painful joints, eczema, burns and wounds.

Healthy Goldenrod Lemon Sweet Tea

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Drinks

Servings 6

Ingredients

3 TBSP dry goldenrod leaves and flowers
2 cups boiling water
¼ cup honey - local is best
2 cups water
3 lemons - juiced
3 cups cold water

Instructions

Put three (3) tablespoons of dry goldenrod leaves and flowers into a mason jar. Fill the mason jar with boiling water (just under two (2) cups of boiling water). Stir to release any air bubbles and cover. Allow this mixture to sit for at least fifteen (15) minutes so the goldenrod can infuse into the water.
In a small pot, bring two (2) cups of water and a (quarter) ¼ cup of honey to a boil. Allow this mixture to boil for five (5) minutes and remove from heat.
Strain your goldenrod tea that is infused in the mason jar into a large pitcher (about 2 liters in size) through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. You can toss the used goldenrod into the compost or garbage.
Add the honey and water mixture to the pitcher with the goldenrod tea.
Juice 3 lemons and add the lemon juice to the pitcher with the honey and goldenrod tea mixture.
Top the pitcher off with cold water. This should be about 3 or 4 cups of cold water.
Stir your mixture and refrigerate until cold. Stir again before consuming and enjoy!

Keyword forage, foraging, goldenrod, healthy, lemonade, medicinal, tea