The crop of goldenrod this fall has outdone itself. Standing tall, often along a spread of Black-Eyed Susans, goldenrod provides a colorful sea of gold and yellow along our roads and highways.
Yeah, but goldenrod is the stuff that causes all those allergies. Get rid of it.
Not so fast. Goldenrod is frequently blamed for allergies caused by ragweed. Ragweed, which often grows alongside goldenrod, is wind pollinated and spews enormous amounts of pollen into the air. Goldenrod is merely an herb, an herb with unbelievable health benefits.
According to Mr. Wiki, goldenrod is used to reduce pain and swelling, as a diuretic to increase urine flow and to stop muscle spasms. It is also used for gout, joint pain arthritis, as well as eczema and other skin conditions. Goldenrod can be used to treat diabetes, enlargement of the liver, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, hay fever, asthma and tuberculosis infections that have become active again after a period of latency,
Anything else? Yes. It can also be used as to treat an enlarged prostate.
Goldenrod, also known as Aaron’s Rod, is a beneficial plant for gardeners. The lovely flower is a good source of nectar for butterflies and bees, encouraging these pollinators to stay close to the garden area and help pollinate. It also draws the bad bugs away from flowers and veggies. On the other hand, it attracts beneficial insects, like ladybugs which can keep damaging insects in check.
If you have goldenrod handy, it can be used as a makeshift mouth rinse, and when applied to an open would, it helps in the healing process.
Goldenrod is a plant we need more of, not less of. And, it’s pretty, to boot.