Recordium Regenerati

I was recently in the area of Indiana exploring a rest area. These locations are often highly manicured and treated, but if you look hard enough the locations often have clusters of untouched woodlands. Within this region I found a variety of herbs to forage, namely tall goldenrod. Goldenrod has about 130 varieties and all are medicinal, used traditionally in infusions and tea.

I was careful to harvest stalks based on their appearance and size, the oldest being the best to take. Young plants are often recommended when out foraging, but with certain plant varieties this can be detrimental to the environment…unless, of course, that plant in particular is invasive. Then you’d want to take the whole thing, root and all. After harvesting, I plucked each leaf from the stems, broke the stems in half and separated the top with the flowers, placing all three parts in separate containers.

Next, I refrigerated them for at least a day or two, ensuring any existing pests or parasites would be dead and avoid contaminating the plant further. It is vital to always wash your herbs after this process, ensuring they are cleansed and ready to be dried. I recommend at least a week in the sun for drying, or by using a dehydrator if you can afford one.

Here are the benefits, meanings and uses of goldenrod.

Goldenrod

Meanings

• good fortune
• growth
• encouragement
• good luck
• pioneering spirit
• caution
• wealth
• prosperity

Best used in workings with health or prosperity. I recommend a pouch with goldenrod be buried at a bank to infuse the herb with that location’s prosperous and transactional energies, or at a hospital to enhance healing benefits.

Medicinal Uses

• tuberculosis
• diabetes
• enlargement of the liver
• gout
• hemorrhoids
• internal bleeding
• asthma
• arthritis
• reduce inflammation
• relieve muscle spasms
• fight infections
• lower blood pressure
• used as a diuretic
• urinary tract inflammation
• prevent or treat kidney stones

Prepare goldenrod as a tea or an alcoholic infusion. If you’re creating an infusion, I highly recommend letting it sit for several months to ensure the potency is strong. You can also grind dried herbs and create capsules to take as an herbal supplement, but if so, please ensure proper measurements.

As always, do not take this as medical advice. If you are experiencing an emergency, please seek a medical professional.