September Herb of the Month - Goldenrod - EZ

[Guest guest]

From the Herb Lady of Austin - our fellow list member Ellen Zimmerman ..

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

 

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks

you can think up if only you try!

- Dr Seuss

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

Ellen Zimmermann [ellenzimm]

 

 

Dear Herbal Enthusiast:

 

I am so very thankful for the recent rain we've had and so is my garden.

Everything is perking up, looking greener and so much happier.

 

I wanted to remind y'all about EZ Herbs/Austin School of Herbal Studies

OPEN HOUSE on Sept 24th from 10am - 2pm. We'll have garden tours, a

Yoga class, reflexology treatments and yummy herbal teas and snacks.

Please come and bring a friend. There will EZ Herbs products for

purchase as well as lovely herbal cosmetics from Natural Vibes and

delectable dried culinary herbs from Valymyst Herbs.

 

ASHS fall classes are almost ready to begin, so if you're interested,

take a look at the schedule on my website, <http://www.ezherbs.net>

www.ezherbs.net and send in your registration form or sign up through

Paypal.

 

I am sending you a link from my friends at People's Pharmacy FYI and to

see a familiar featured teacher!!! You're invited to attend the class

on Herbs for Common Ailments on Oct. 5th at the People's Pharmacy South

location.

http://www.livingnaturally.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?s

toreID=5AB72154906F41D99BDB3286D064BA81

 

ASHS fall classes are almost ready to begin, so if you're interested,

take a look at the schedule on my website, <http://www.ezherbs.net>

www.ezherbs.net and send in your registration form or sign up through

Paypal.

 

Now on to September's Herb of the Month - Goldenrod. Hope to see you

soon at one of the many fall events.

 

 

Herb of the Month - Goldenrod - September 2005

 

 

 

Goldenrod, Solidago spp., our native Texas species being, Solidago

altissima, Solidago canadenisis and Solidago nemoralis, are the tall,

yellow wildflowers seen on roadsides, in fields and in native gardens

this time every fall. I look forward to viewing the large clusters of

Goldenrods as I drive down the road, knowing that fall is here and

cooler weather will be returning soon.

 

 

 

I received my first Goldenrod transplant from my friend Cindy, who

potted up about three of hers to transfer to my garden. At the time we

were getting ready to move so I just kept them in their pots, nearly

forgetting about them. We moved to our present location and I still

kept the Goldenrod in the pot, giving them some water but not much other

attention. After quite awhile, I finally planted them in my back garden

and they have incredibly multiplied and claimed a large area for

themselves. I love my Goldenrod and use it for various medicinal

purposes. It is also lovely in a flower arrangement, both fresh and as

a dried flower. It is so easy to grow and is so beautiful. I recommend

it for everyone's garden. Just know it needs its own area.

 

 

 

Solidago often gets mistakenly blamed for the suffering of hay fever

victims. It blooms at the same time as ragweed, the true culprit. It

seems that folks look around for a flower to blame and since Goldenrod

blooms prolifically. she gets the bad rap!

 

Note: Please take time to view a picture of Goldenrod on my website. It

will help you to identify it as you cruise the countryside this fall.

 

http://www.ezherbs.net/EZ%20Herbs_files/archive%20herb%20of%20the%20mont

h/September%2005%20goldenrod.htm <http://www.ezherbs.net/EZ

Herbs_files/archive herb of the month/September 05 goldenrod.htm>

 

 

 

I have made tea from the flowers of Goldenrod and it is delicious and

healing. Goldenrod acts as a safe and effective diuretic. It is also

beneficial in treating kidney inflammation, and is used to prevent the

formation, and facilitates the elimination of kidney stones. It is also

quite helpful as a respiratory herb, particularly mixed in a formula

with other herbs for lung congestion. Another lesser known use, but

documented use by the Commission E, (the botanical medicine experts that

advise the German government about herbs), approves the use of Goldenrod

for treating various urogenital disorders, including yeast infections.

 

 

 

The Latin name Solidago means " to make whole " and refers to its many

uses by the indigenous people. Native Americans drank the tea for

digestive ailments and used the flowers for a yellow dye.

 

 

 

Remember to admire and think highly of this wonderful herb as you drive

the highways around the country this fall. Solidago appears everywhere

and is ready to provide us with its abundant uses.

 

 

 

With many Green Blessings and warm thoughts for a lovely autumn season,

 

Ellen

 

 

 

Ellen Zimmermann

Sharing the Wisdom of the Plants

www.ezherbs.net

512-301-5838