Goldenrod got its name from the fact that it turns meadows golden during late summer to early fall, thanks to the herb’s tiny bright-yellow flowers. Various aerial parts of the plant (stems, leaves, flowers and even seeds) are commonly turned into tea, which has anise-like taste and is known to offer a number of health benefits.
Unfortunately, many people detest the beauty of goldenrod thinking that it’s the culprit behind seasonal allergies. Well, the plant has nothing to do with their yearly issues — the guilty party is ragweed which likes to grow right next to goldenrod. By the way, the flowers of ragweed are blah compared to the stunning flowers of goldenrod.
For many years now, goldenrod is a commonplace in folk healing. It is well-known as an effective remedy for a number of respiratory and digestive issues, courtesy of the herb’s anti-inflammatory properties. Goldenrod is also revered for its antimicrobial properties, and that’s why it is usually employed for treating skin infections.
Making goldenrod tea is a wonderful idea if you have easy access to the plant. Up to 3 cups of it per day may be taken, herbalists say. A serving can be made by steeping 2 tablespoons of chopped up goldenrod leaves and flowers in a cup of boiling water for 20 minutes. You may add a little raw honey or freshly-squeezed lemon juice to taste.
And what are the benefits you can obtain from drinking goldenrod tea? The following are just some of them:
It Helps Remove Mucus
What makes having a bout of the common cold, cough or flu is the superfluous amount of mucus, which can make it hard for you to breathe. When down with an upper respiratory tract infection, you may consume goldenrod tea to help you breathe more comfortably as well as to eliminate chest pain, thanks to the herb’s expectorant properties.
It Eases a Sore Throat
Sipping a cup of goldenrod tea is recommended if you are suffering from a sore throat. The said beverage is very good at easing it because it is capable of killing off microbes and controlling inflammation. Goldenrod tea that’s cooled to room temperature may be used as mouth rinse if you have inflamed gums or mouth ulcers.
It Alleviates Joint Pain and Swelling
Because goldenrod tea can put inflammation to an end, it can be taken on a regular basis by someone who is suffering from achy and swollen joints. What’s so great about the consumption of goldenrod tea for painful and inflamed joints is it can provide much-needed relief without producing unfavorable side effects.
It Promotes Urine Production
Goldenrod tea is known to possess diuretic properties, which make the herb very good during certain instances. For example, it can help in shortening the lifespan of urinary tract infections or UTI’s. The beverage may be taken to facilitate removal of toxins in the body. Sometimes it may be used for keeping the blood pressure from increasing.
It Deals With GI Tract Issues
Traditionally, the intake of goldenrod tea is done to prevent stomach ulcers, or to accelerate their healing since the drink is known to facilitate wound healing. It is commonly taken to prevent constipation, too. Goldenrod tea is also admired for its ability to control enlargement of the liver, which is actually a part of the GI tract.
It Helps Treat Various Skin Infections
Other than consuming it by mouth, goldenrod tea may also be employed topically. Such is commonly done for the management of many types of skin infections. For instance, it may be used for dealing with fungal problems like ringworm and athlete’s foot. It may also be used for the treatment of acne, which can be a bacterial and an inflammatory issue.
Source: seedscatterer.blogspot.com
