You have to try this goldenrod tea recipe! Goldenrod herbal tea is an herbal supplement that boasts many health benefits and is simple and easy to make.
This tea can be homemade with foraged goldenrod plants right from your yard with proper plant identification.
It can also be purchased in tea bags or dried whole plant loose-leaf tea if you don’t want to pick wild plants.
Herbal remedies like goldenrod tea have been used since ancient times and this wonderful plant continues to be used today.
Goldenrod is one of the easiest plants to find and identify in nature and the fresh herb can be found in a variety of places.
What is Goldenrod?
There are many different species of goldenrod, also known as Solidago canadensis or Solidago virgaurea. Solidago virgaurea is the herb most commonly used as a diety supplement.
Goldenrod is one of the largest flowering plant families, and features a bright yellow flower when it’s in full bloom. In the United States, there are at least 130 different species of goldenrod.
Its nectar attracts pollinating insects. Therefore, it has the ability to easily cross-pollinate.
Goldenrod is an herb that originated in Europe and then spread to Asia and North and South America.
It’s easily and often mistaken for ragweed, but the flowers are the key difference between these two plants. Goldenrod has bright yellow flowers and ragweed’s flowers are a bit smaller and less conspicuous, changing from green to yellow over time.
Goldenrod is a perennial flower and blooms in late summer and early fall. It has large clusters of flowers branching from a single twig-like stem. It grows to around 5 to 7 feet tall.
Goldenrod can grow almost anywhere; swamps, woodlands, and on mountains, but it is often found along roadsides and in open fields.
Some people may experience allergic contact dermatitis from contact with goldenrod, but it has long been used as a herbal medicine.
Any part of the plant that grows above ground has ben used in folk medicine throughout history and are still widely used today. This medicinal herb doesn’t get much credit in conventional medicine, and you may not have heard of its uses before.
Like many of the plants used in ancient medicine, traditional medicine has yet to gain popular usage of goldenrod. Still, science has proven to some extent that it does have health benefits.
What Are the Health Benefits of Goldenrod?
The entire flower, leaves, and stem have all can be used as a treatment in herbal medicine.
There are many possible benefits of using goldenrod in different forms for various conditions. Some studies have been conducted in test tubes and on both animals and humans to verify the efficacy of goldenrod as medicine. While these studies are not conclusive, they do provide some compelling evidence that this plant can be beneficial to our health in many ways.
The benefits below can also be found on the post 10 amazing health benefits of goldenrod.
Reducing Pain and Inflammation
The flavonoid antioxidants and other plant compounds found in goldenrod give it an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. The antioxidants fight free radicals and protect from cell damage. Goldenrod is often used to treat inflammation in the bladder and urinary tract.
This herb can be used to treat chronic health conditions that cause inflammation and pain as a result of that inflammation. It’s possible that it can be more beneficial than prescription pain medicine because of the lack of dangerous side effects.
Mild Diuretic
Diuretics flush water from the body by increasing urine output. Goldenrod does a good job of this and is helpful in situations where you have excess fluid and sodium build up in your body.
Relaxes Muscles
Goldenrod was shown to reduce or eliminate muscle spasms in some animal studies. The main effect it had was to relax smooth muscles. It can be used topically to help relax nerves and tense muscles.
Improves Gout Symptoms
Gout symptoms include retaining water, high inflammation rates, and pain, just to name a few. Because of goldenrod’s use as a mild diuretic and to fight inflammation, it’s a good natural choice for treating gout and may help prevent a flair up to being with.
Relieves Arthritis and Joint Pain
Goldenrod’s anti-inflammatory activity in the body can help to decrease joint pain. Arthritis pain is especially responsive to this treatment because it’s a condition of inflammation in the joints.
Treats Some Skin Conditions
There is some evidence that goldenrod used topically can help eczema and other skin conditions. Its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory benefits help with healing.
Treats Kidney Stones
Goldenrod’s diuretic effect helps flush out the kidneys, assisting with the passing and/or prevention of kidney stones. It’s also used to treat urinary tract infections for the same reasons. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have infections.
Treats Cold and Flu
Goldenrod helps with the symptoms of cold and flu viruses because it’s a natural decongestant. The anti-fungal properties could help kill off bacteria as well. Goldenrod tincture can also be used as a mouth rinse for inflammation of the mouth and throat, which could soothe a sore throat when you’re sick.
Helps Heal Minor Wounds
Powdered goldenrod leaves and roots can stop bleeding by causing tissues to contract and seal off damaged blood vessels. Goldenrod’s antibacterial properties can kill bacteria in the wound and help the healing process.
Easy Goldenrod Tea Recipe
Goldenrod tea is a great way to consume the herb for most of its health benefits.
Like many other medicinal plants, the taste of goldenrod tea is a bit earthy. Some people say it also has a bit of a sweet taste to it naturally.
You may also recognize a flavor similar to licorice. While some enjoy that taste and can drink it without any additional ingredients, many people don’t find that flavor appealing.
For those of you who don’t enjoy the taste of licorice, it can easily be made a lot tastier with the addition of a sweetener like honey or even a little sugar.
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh goldenrod flowers and leaves (or 2-3 teaspoons dried goldenrod)
- 2 cups boiled filtered water
- Honey for sweetener if preferred
Instructions
- Gather your foraged goldenrod plants (or your dry goldenrod)
- If you’re using foraged plants, rinse the fresh leaves to remove dirt and bugs
- Chop or clip goldenrod into small pieces with kitchen sheers
- Place prepared goldenrod in a tea steeper or loose-leaf tea infuser. Alternatively, you can use a cup and cover it with freshly boiled hot water
- Allow to steep 10-15 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
Double or triple the ingredients to make a large batch of goldenrod tea to drink as iced tea.
You can store your goldenrod tea in a glass jar with a lid and put it in the refrigerator until it’s chilled, then serve over ice.
Goldenrod tea will stay good in the refrigerator for a couple of days but it is best consumed within 8 hours.
Goldenrod Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh goldenrod flowers and leaves or 2-3 teaspoons dried goldenrod
- 2 cups boiled filtered water
- Honey for sweetener if preferred
Instructions
- Gather your foraged goldenrod plants (or your dry goldenrod)
- If you’re using foraged plants, rinse the fresh leaves to remove dirt and bugs
- Chop or clip goldenrod into small pieces with kitchen sheers
- Place prepared goldenrod in a tea steeper or loose-leaf tea infuser. Alternatively, you can use a cup and cover it with freshly boiled hot water
- Allow to steep 10-15 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Goldenrod tea is safe for daily consumption and is generally well tolerated, except in cases of allergic reaction.
If you have a medical condition, such as kidney disease or certain heart conditions like heart disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take the herb or first consult your doctor for medical advice.
Before you go, here are more posts you’ll enjoy:
12 Health Benefits of Dandelions
20 Under the Kitchen Sink Organizing Ideas
How Long Do Onions Last in the Pantry?
Reducing Stress in Your Living and Work Space
