Planting a Seed of Knowledge for a Lifetime of … › V3I9-September-Goldenrod.pdf1 Visit the Herb Spirit page! 2 Harvest some Goldenrod today. 3 4 5 Sign up for a chance to win a

. written and illustrated by kristine brown ,

Planting a Seed of

Knowledge for a Lifetime

of Herbal Wisdom

GloriousGoldenrod

zineSeptember 2011

Note to Parents 3

Calendar 6

Herb Spirits 7 All About...Goldenrod 9 Scramble, Search and More 13

Herbal Lore 16

Songs and Poems 19

Herbal Recipes 21

Coloring Page 26

Herbal Crafts and More 27

Maze 31

Herbal Journal 32

Crossword Puzzle 34

Resource Page 36

Herbal Roots Zine is a monthly activity magazine created to teach kids about medicinal herbs. All writings and illustrations are created and

owned by Kristine Brown and are subject to copyright laws.

Please do not distribute this packet outside of your immediate family or use any part of it for resale value. Commercial rates are available.

All information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. http://herbalrootszine.com/

Table of Contents

2Written and Illustrated by Kristine Brown © 2009-2011 Luna Farm LLC

http://herbalrootszine.com/


Dear Parents,

As days grow shorter, fall is fast approaching. Late summer blooming plants such as Goldenrod and New England Aster fill the landscape with bright yellow and purple while Sumac waves his crimson seed heads to the sky. It’s time to go apple picking! And time to prepare for winter that is fast approaching.

Goldenrod is blamed for many seasonal allergies this time of year, unfairly! In fact, his medicine can actually help ease the irritations of the real culprit, Ragweed. This issue of Herbal Roots zine celebrates the beauty and medicine of Goldenrod through making Flower essences, oil, honey, tea, plant dye and dried flower arrangements.

Head out into the field and see if you can find some of this amazing plant!

In addition to this booklet (which we recommend you print out a copy per child who will be using it), this month you will need (see the Craft and Recipe Sections for specifics on each):

Ingredients

Freshly cut Goldenrod flowers and leavesRain water or spring water

BrandyOlive oil

Raw honeyWaterBorax

White cornmeal

Supplies

Clear glass bowl without markingsUnbleached coffee filter or cheeseclothStrainerGlass measuring cupFunnel

Note to Parents


Small bottle (4-8 oz)Tincture bottlesClippers for cutting plantsMuslin bag or tea ballTea cupGlass jar with lidChopstickKnife and cutting boardBottle for storing infused oilHalf gallon glass jarScissorsStrainerWooden spoonAlumIron nailsNatural fibers to dye (play silks, wool yarn, t-shirts)Plastic shoebox or other plastic storage bin

Directly after this note is the calendar. If you’re not sure how to incorporate Herbal Roots into your daily learning routine, use the calendar as a way to get started. Subscribers have found this to be a great starting point whether they are homeschoolers trying to fit Herbal Roots Zine and herbal learning into their daily school routine or public/private schoolers trying to fit a few minutes of herbal learning into their hectic after school routine. My hope is that this calendar will be a starting point to get kids exploring herbs on their own and learn to bring a bit of herbal joy into their everyday lives. Be sure to check in with our blog! Every Monday we offer a giveaway. You can sign up for a chance to win all sorts of great items including wooden animals, clay pendants and a free issue of Herbal Roots Zine.

Also, to new subscribers, I’d like to suggest investing in a binder of some sort to put these monthly sheets in. One per child if possible so they can each have their own little herbal book. They’ll be pasting actual samples of the herbs in here along with keeping a journal of all their thoughts and explorations of each particular herb. That will create a wonderful memory to last through the schooling lifetime! They are building an herbal foundation of knowledge to be used for the rest of their lives. These are real herbs that

Note to Parents


can be found almost anywhere or grown very easily. Having this knowledge is very powerful and will stay with them for a lifetime! A great way to introduce Herbal Roots zine is to have them decorate a cover page for their own binder. You can also download a ready made binder cover on our website at: http://www.herbalrootszine.com/freebies/. You might also consider having them make a Herbarium if they haven’t already. Directions can be found on our website. Look for the link on the left hand column of the page!

Most of all, have fun. Learn, explore, discover, taste and dream. The herbs are playful and we should be too.

Until next month,

Peace and Herbs!September

by Helen Hunt Jackson

The goldenrod is yellow;The corn is turning brown;

The trees in apple orchardsWith fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringesAre curling in the sun;

In dusky pods the milkweedIts hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvestIn every meadow-nook;

And asters by the brooksideMake asters in the brook.

From dewy lanes at morningThe grapes' sweet odors rise;

At noon the roads all flutterWith yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokensSeptember days are here,

With summer's best of weather,And autumn's best of cheer.

Note to Parents


http://www.herbalrootszine.com/freebies/

http://www.herbalrootszine.com/freebies/

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Visit the

Herb Spirit page!

2Harvest

some Goldenrod

today.

3

4 5 Sign up

for a chance to win a clay pendant.*

6Have you

tried dyeing with

Goldenrod?

7Start an

oil infusion today.

8Tell a friend about

Goldenrod.

9 Infuse some honey with

Goldenrod.

10

11 12 Sign up for a

chance to win a

Goldenrod notebook.*

13Have you

read Kiva’s

monologues yet?***

14 Try the dried flower craft.

15Try

some Goldenrod

tea.

16Press a

Goldenrod flower.

17

18 19Sign

up for a chance to win theOctober issue.*

20

Sing the Goldenrod

song!

21Your oil infusion

should be ready to strain!

22 Postsome

pictures of your projects on our Flickr

page.**

23

How’s your

Golden Honey?

24

25 26 Sign

up for a chance to

win a wooden Coyote.*

27

Make a Goldenrod essence today.

28Don’t

forget to review

with the crossword

puzzle.

29Don’t

forget to review

the Herb Spirits page!

30 Add your

pressed flowers to the craft page.

*Go online to Herbal Roots’ website at: http://herbalrootszine.com to see what’s new there! Every month I’ll be giving away a copy of Herbal Roots and

many more goodies including plants, clay pendants and wooden critters made by local mama artists.

**Have any pictures to share? Post them on our Flicker page at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/herbalrootszine.

We’d love to see what you’ve been up to!

***See the resource section for links to great articles on this month’s herb!

September 2011


http://herbalrootszine.com




http://www.flickr.com/groups/herbalrootszine

http://www.flickr.com/groups/herbalrootszine

Visualizing herbal spirits can help you understand and remember the herb better. Before you read anything about Goldenrod, take a few minutes to fill out this page with your thoughts and feelings. After you have learned all about Goldenrod, fill out the second page with how you view Goldenrod after learning about him. Compare your answers and see how your understanding and knowledge of Goldenrod has changed and grown over the course of this issue. There are no right or wrong answers.

Part 1: Fill out BEFORE you learn all about Goldenrod.

j What color is this Herbal Spirit? _______________________

j What body type?(long, lean, plump, wispy, stout, etc.)

________________________________________________________

j Any particularly pronounced features? (eyes, ears,

feet, belly, fingers.....?)___________________________________

j What personality? (fiery, calm, flighty, aggressive,

grounded...)_____________________________________________

j Age? (baby, youth, adult, crone...)_______________________

j Ethnicity? ____________________________________________

j Gender? (male, female, gender neutral) _________________

j Herbal Spirit energy (cooling, warming, drying,

moistening?_____________________________________________

j Element? (fire, water, earth, wood, metal, air, etc.)

________________________________________________________

Herb Spirits


Part 2: Fill out AFTER you learn all about Goldenrod.

j What color is this Herbal Spirit? _______________________

j What body type?(long, lean, plump, wispy, stout, etc.)

________________________________________________________

j Any particularly pronounced features? (eyes, ears,

feet, belly, fingers.....?)___________________________________

j What personality? (fiery, calm, flighty, aggressive,

grounded...)_____________________________________________

j Age? (baby, youth, crone...)_____________________________

j Ethnicity? ____________________________________________

j Gender? (male, female, gender neutral) _________________

j Herbal Spirit energy (cooling, warming, drying,

moistening?_____________________________________________

j Element? (fire, water, earth, wood, metal, air, etc.)

________________________________________________________

j j j jHow did your answers change?___________________________

How did they stay the same?_____________________________

Did any of your changes surprise you?____________________

Why or why not?_________________________________________

Herb Spirits


Often falsely blamed for causing autumn seasonal allergies, Goldenrod’s pollen is too heavy to be air borne and is usually pollinated with the help of insects. His showy plume catches the eye of those suffering from allergies that are most often caused by Ragweed, a plant who’s flowers are barely noticeable and wind pollinated at the same time Goldenrod is blooming. Revenge is sweet though and Goldenrod can often help ease the suffering of these allergies caused by Ragweed.

Goldenrod’s genus name is Solidago. There are about

100 species of Goldenrod and they are often very hard to tell apart because they are so similar. They are in the Asteraceae family, the same family as Dandelions, Sunflowers and Daisies. They are native to North America although some species are native to Central and South America as well as Eurasia.

Goldenrod is a perennial and can grow up to 7 feet tall. Species can vary greatly between entire leaves and toothed leaves, downy hair on stems and/or parts of the leaves, rough or smooth leaves and amount of ray flowers. Leaves are alternate. Solidago altissima has long, slender leaves grow alternate up a long, staff-like stem that seldom branches or branches near the top only. Touch the leaves and you’ll discover they are rough on top like a fine sand paper. They are also remotely toothed. Flowers of all species but one are a golden yellow, most ending in a plume at the top of the plant. The flower heads are small and numerous, composed of 3-16 tiny rays surrounding a group of yellow disk flowers. The flowers bloom in late summer,

All About…Goldenrod!


Solidago canadensis

signaling the end of summer and beginning of autumn. In the midwest, Solidago odorata is one of the most distinctive growing because of his scent. Sweet Goldenrod was used in Liberty Tea by the patriots after the Boston Tea Party. Another common species here and in North America is S. canadensis. There are three types of galls that can be found on Goldenrod: ball galls, elliptical galls and bunch galls. Many authorities state the bunch gall is a species indicator as it only appears on S. canadensis.

Only one species is native to Europe, S. virgaurea, known as Woundwort. His flowers and leaves are larger than the North American species but uses are similar.

Goldenrod has wonderful medicine. He is mildly warming, drying and stimulating. All parts of this plant are medicinal. He an be called upon to be antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulating, tonifying and vulnerary. He has an affinity for the kidneys and is found to be useful in all sorts of kidney distress.

I find Goldenrod to be useful during allergy season. If you’ve ever suffered from seasonal allergies and have itchy, red eyes then Goldenrod is for you! You can use a tincture or tea of the aerial parts. Others find him useful for treating cat induced allergies. His astringent actions help to dry up the mucus membranes while the anti-inflammatory actions help to sooth the irritations caused by the allergens.



Solidago altissima

I learned from Kiva Rose Goldenrod’s usefulness with muscle pain. An oil infused with Goldenrod flowers works wonders on neck and shoulder muscles and tension. This is due to his anti-inflammatory properties. I have massaged Goldenrod oil on pulled and strained muscles and felt relief and healing within a few days. I always keep a bottle of Goldenrod oil on hand for such injuries.

Goldenrod is stimulating and tonifying to the kidneys. Using a strong decoction of Goldenrod roots stimulates the kidneys and helps them to start working again when they seem weak and unable to do their job.

A hot cup of Goldenrod tea will work with helping to bring down a fever using his diaphoretic properties. Diaphoretics help raise your body temperature causing your to perspire which can help to reduce a fever. If you drink the same cup of tea cooled, it becomes a diuretic and flushes out the kidneys and bladder by making you have to go to the bathroom more often.

As an antidepressant, Goldenrod works well to treat mild to moderate depression, especially in conjunction with seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. Try a daily

cup of Goldenrod tea to bring some sunshine in your life during the gloomy wintertime.

Goldenrod can help stimulate digestion through his aromatic and bitter properties as well as aid digestion with his carminative properties. A cup of tea before a meal can get your stomach juices flowing. A cup after dinner can



Solidago canadensis

help relieve bloating, cramps and gas caused by sluggish digestion after a meal.

If you’re suffering from diarrhea, Goldenrod’s astringency helps to dry up the secretions while easing any tummy aches and cramping that may be accompanied by the diarrhea. Try it only if your diarrhea becomes too acute or is chronic as diarrhea initially can help your body to purge some unwanted germs.

A wash, honey or a salve can be useful for helping wounds to heal. His vulnerary actions help to promote healing, especially in slow to heal wounds. Try the infused honey on wounds, burns or sore throats to soothe and heal.

Goldenrod flower essence is helpful for those who tend to try to be someone they aren’t just to please others or ‘fit in with the crowd’ during social situations. He will ground you and help you to remain true to yourself.

Goldenrod is easy to grow and if you let a plant visit your garden, he will reward you with lots of plants in future years. Take time to get to know the various species that may grow around you, tasting and comparing the leaves and flowers for astringency, bitterness, warmth and aroma.



Solidago altissima

Match the words to their definitions.

Aromatic Increases and brings health to an area of the body.

Tonifying A herb that tastes unpleasant but stimulates digestion.

Carminative Herbs that temporarily raise the function or activity of a system.

Astringent Increases the production of urine.

Vulnerary Herbs which cause one to sweat.

Antidepressant Reduces inflammation.

Bitter Herbs that have a strong, pleasant aroma.

Stimulant Herbs that elevate the mood level.

Diuretic Herbs that help induce the expulsion of gas.

Anti-inflammatory Action that causes a tightening or constricting of tissues.

Diaphoretic Aids in the healing of wounds.

Scramble , Search & More!


W E T M V O A K P F R R D R T G O E I C I N A S TN N S F Y R W D E A T I R E O N I I I E N E D N EO N U S R E E T R A D C M T T N C T F U E D A A AR E D R O S I D E V I T C E F F A L A N O S A E SI O D I T L O O N N G E A T S M O A T S S M L R SG A A N A A I L N A E W O D O W S A A E R Y E U WT O E D M G I D I A P H O R E T I C R U H V U A EN S A A M N S I A D T O A R E C I P O T E R R G EA S I S A I E U L G A E S R U R E G D F I M T R DB T E N L Y I R N O O G A T E D S R O G I A L I GI E T E F F G E O R E C O M I A A G O N N L E V DT N E G N I R T S A E T A T O S R L G O U G S O OT W E V I N E I E A A H N N R E D N A D T A C G RE N O F I O L C E T T A D S A E O I D E A S T A SR I M U T T L O R R L S Y E N D I K I A A A A D GL A V R N E A W O U A T Y R A R E N L U V A R I FE T N M A D R N M N T I O G G Y O N O Y A E R L EN E L V D I W I I U I D D R N I R L S W T I T O NO O E R I E T O A M S M F I E N I O E I M S U S ES S M T N S R I R S R C I L G G W E E D S H R S DI N U T D D S O A T N A L I E A E D T S S D L A OE N P A T R A D E T L N C E C E S E D E A R L R LT D S N D R O I S D T U D D S I N O T R A V R I EN O C O D A R A M G A L D O T D A E R T O R U D EL G M G A S A D E A T A A E T V N S L C C R C G T

Allergies Drying Seasonal affective disorder

Antidepressant Fevers Solidago

Anti-inflammatory Flowers Solidago canadensis

Aromatic Goldenrod Solidago odorata

Asteraceae Kidneys Solidago virgaurea

Astringent Leaves Stimulant

Bitter Muscles Tonifying

Carminative North America Vulnerary

Cat dander Perennial Warming

Diaphoretic Roots Woundwort

Diuretic



Unscramble the Goldenrod plant parts and terms. Draw a line to label the parts that match.

t e g a n n l i r t a e v a s e l

d t o t e o h v e s l a e

k s i d e l w f s o r

a r y w e l f s r o

r e n e i t e v a s e l

Unscramble and label the galls.

Family:Family:

Genus:

l a l b l a g l sl a l b l a g l sl a l b l a g l s

t i l a p i l l e c s l a l gt i l a p i l l e c s l a l gt i l a p i l l e c s l a l g

n h b u c s l a g ln h b u c s l a g ln h b u c s l a g l



W Goldenrod Lights Up the Winter

inter had fallen across the camp of the people and the snow was piled high. The people had been caught by the early snowstorm and were unable to move further south as they usually did for the winter.

The people were not worried, they had plenty of fresh buffalo meat as well as dried fruit, nuts and berries. The women had stocked many herbs to see them through the winter’s harsh season. They had many buffalo skins to keep them warm in their hand built homes.

As the days and nights bore on, darker and colder, many began to lose faith that they would see it through to spring. The days were so short and the nights so long and most of both were filled with falling snow, sleet and ice. Spirits fell and the medicine man began to fear for his peoples’ health and sanity. In desperation, he started offering them herbal drinks to try to heal them of their depression.

For weeks he offered herbs with no success until finally, he too succumbed to the depression and no longer bothered to try to heal anyone. He stopped making hot tea for others to drink.

At the same time, a small child, no more than 7 suns of age named Little Star, began having dreams at night. At first, the dreams were nothing more than a field full of golden sunshine. Plants grew all around and the glow was as bright as the rays of the sun itself. These dreams kept her spirits high for she saw them as glimpses of the future seasons to come. She went about her work, unaffected by the cold and darkness, tending to her family’s needs and to those around her when she had any spare time. After several nights of this, her dreams found her wandering through the fields, brushing the golden rays with her fingertips as she danced through them, giggling

Herbal Lore


with joy. The golden rays bent over from tall rods growing from the ground. At times she grasped the rods and ran in circles around them, golden sparks showering all around her.

The next morning, she awoke and went about her work, deep in thought. Last night’s dream reminded Little Star of a plant she had seen growing in the field during the fall. All day she puzzled over it and finally went to the medicine man to borrow his wisdom.

“Grandfather,” she began.

“Yes, Little Star?” he moaned quietly, barely looking up from his pallet next to the fire.

“I’ve had a dream of golden sunshine for several moons, at least as many as I am in sun years. Every morning I woke up, delighted to be alive and looking forward to the sunny days I had seen in my dream. This has kept me happy and

strong when everyone around me seems so sad and weak.

Last night, the dream changed. I wandered through the fields of golden rays, dancing among them and touching them with my fingers. They reminded me of a plant we harvested this fall in the field. I cannot remember what it was though and was hoping

you could help me remember.”

“Was the plant short or tall?” asked Grandfather.

“They were taller than me, with green leaves going up the stems. The stems were like rods and I held on to them and swung around them, dancing and playing through the field.”

“Golden rays of flowers? Tall rodlike stems? Perhaps you mean the Goldenrod Little Star?” surmised Grandfather.

Herbal Lore


“Why Yes!” exclaimed Little Star. “That is it. Quick Grandfather, we must give everyone a tea of this delightful plant and everyone will lift in spirits, I’m sure of it!”

And so knowing the Great Spirit works in magical ways, especially through the minds of the children, Grandfather prepared a large pot of Goldenrod tea and with Little Star’s help, took it around to all the people, encouraging them to drink. Everyone accepted the drink, grateful for something warming on the cold morning.

Within hours a change was seen over the people. They seemed a bit less sad and more willing to do their daily chores. Grandfather and Little Star continued to serve the people Goldenrod tea for the rest of the winter and within a few weeks, everyone was in good spirits again, dreaming of golden fields and warmer days ahead. They made it through the rest of the winter without any more hardships and when spring arrived, they gave thanks to Little Star, Grandfather and most of all, the Great Spirit for providing them with Goldenrod to heal their sadness.

From then on, they made sure to harvest enough Goldenrod to see them through the wintery months and drank the tea daily to keep the sadness and sickness away. They always remembered to thank Goldenrod and the Great Spirit as well for the gifts and never took them for granted. In return, Goldenrod grew in abundance all across the land. And so today, we can still find Goldenrod blooming in abundance, ready to share his medicine with us.

Herbal Lore


StaffTall yellow

Swaying, Nodding, CascadingBlossoms mark Fall’s return

Goldenrod

Goldenrod In My Basket

Sung to the tune of “A-tisket A -tasket” adapted by Ella Fitzgerald

A-tisket a-tasketPut Goldenrod in my basketI picked an armful just todayAnd brought it home for medicine.

I chopped it, I dried itAnd put it up in oilA bit of sunshine stored awayto keep the winter blues at bay.

In the fall, Ragweed comesOr cat’s dander gets its hold on youI’ll drink the tea with each dayTo chase my allergies away.

I’m so tense, I’m so tightIn my neck and back tonightI’ll use my oil of golden flowersAnd rub it on for hours.

A-tisket A-tasketGoldenrod in my basketI’ll make a tea, drink it hotAnd soon my fever will be not.

Herbal Songs and Poems


Oh dear I wonder if I harvested enough(Sure you did, sure you did, sure you did, sure you did, sure you did)Oh geez I wish that I’d harvested more(But you did, but you did, but you did, but you did, but you did)

Oh why didn’t I infuse more of that honey, so divine?Making sunny medicine is a joy of mine!

A-tisket A-tasketGoldenrod in my basketWon't someone help me harvest it now And make more medicine? again

(Was it Mint?) No, no, no, no, no(Was it Rose?) No, no, no, no, no(Was it Poke?) No, no, no

Just Goldenrod in my basketGoldenrod in my basket.

Herbal Songs and Poems


Goldenrod Flower Essence

Gail Faith Edwards recommends Goldenrod flower essence for helping one remain true to themselves in group situations where one has a tendency to present a false persona for social approval. Try making this flower essence to remain true to yourself if you ever feel like you must present yourself in a certain manner around others in social situations.

Flower essences work a bit differently than tinctures and other herbal remedies. They work on a vibrational level to encourage and help restore balance. Essences can cause change slowly or quickly but the change will be subtle instead of drastic. Typically you will see changes in working, feeling, sleeping, dreaming, energy, thinking, and/or eating.

Ingredients Tools

Rain water or spring water (do not use tap water)BrandyFlowering stand of Goldenrod

Clear glass bowl with no markings

Unbleached coffee filterStrainer

Glass measuring cupFunnel

Bottle to store essenceTincture bottles

Clippers

Be sure your bowl is small enough to be able to cover with the flowers you will be using. You will not need a large amount of water or flowers to create your mother essence. You can make your essence on a sunny day, a moonlit night or a clear, starry night once the moon has set. To begin, fill your bowl half full of the rain water or spring water.

Assemble your bowl of water and clippers near the plants you wish to harvest from. Sit next to your plants, silently asking them for permission to harvest their flowers. Wait until you feel a positive response from the plants. If you do not, you may wish to find another group of flowers or wait

Herbal Recipes

21Written and Illustrated by Kristine Brown © 2009 - 2011 Luna Farm LLC

another day. The plant will be sharing his spirit with you so be sure you have his permission to do so.

Once you feel the plant is welcoming you, hold the bowl up to his flowers and use the clippers to cut them directly into the bowl without touching them. You may find it helpful to have someone with you to gently bend the plant over to reach the flowering tops more easily.

Once you have filled the top of the bowl with the Goldenrod flowers, set

the bowl in full sunlight where there will be no shadows for at least 3 hours. If you have any pets roaming around, be sure they can’t access the bowl.

After the 3 hours is up, carefully remove the flowers, touching the water as little as possible. you can use a leaf from the Goldenrod plant to help remove the flowers if you wish.

Place the strainer in the glass measuring cup, add the filter and pour the water through the filter to strain out any excess plant material. Using the funnel, fill your bottle

1/4 full with brandy and top off with the flower water. This is your mother essence. Label your bottle and store it in a cool, dark place away from any energy sources, including electrical outlets.

Now that you have your mother essence, you can make stock bottles. To do this, add 1-7 drops of the mother essence into a bottle filled with 1/4 full of brandy and 3/4 full of

rain or spring water. Once the bottle is full and the lid is placed on the bottle, you will want to succuss the bottle by gently beating the bottom of the bottle on the palm of your hand 28 times.

Herbal Recipes


From your stock bottle you can make your medicine bottle by again filling a bottle 1/4 full of brandy then topping off with rain or spring water and adding 2-7 drops of stock essence to this bottle. Again, succuss the bottle 28 times.

To use, place 2-4 drops under your tongue four times a day. You can also rub them on your skin, use a mister to spray into the air, add to the bath water or in a glass of water. If you feel you are reacting too strongly to the essence, you can decrease the dosage to twice a day. In situations that are acute, the essence may be taken more often, such as once an hour.

Goldenrod Tea

This tea can be drank hot or cold depending on the need. Drink it hot for a fever or cold to flush out your kidneys. The tea can also help with diarrhea, coughs and treating the flu or to combat depression.

Ingredients Tools

1 tablespoon dried Goldenrod flowers and leaves16 oz. Hot WaterOptional: Goldenrod honey

Muslin bag or tea ballTea cup

Place the Goldenrod in a tea ball or muslin bag and rest in the tea cup. Pour hot water over and let it steep for 10-20 minutes then drink hot or allow to cool. Add some Goldenrod infused honey (see recipe later in this section) to sweeten if desired.

Herbal Recipes


Goldenrod Oil

This oil is wonderful to have on hand for massaging into tense muscles as well as rubbing on to muscle strains, pulls and sprains. If you know someone who suffers from arthritis, Goldenrod oil can be soothing and healing for that as well.

IngredientsIngredients Tools

Flowering Goldenrod tops and leavesOlive oil

Flowering Goldenrod tops and leavesOlive oil

Glass jar with lidChopstick

Strainer with cheesecloth or other filter

Bottle for storing

Fill your glass jar 1/2 - 3/4 full of Goldenrod flowering tops and leaves. Cover with oil and use the chopstick to stir and coax out any air bubbles.

Tighten on the lid and let the oil sit in the sun for 2 weeks. Visit your oil daily and gently shake.

After 2 weeks, strain off the oil using the strainer and cheesecloth. Let the strained oil sit overnight then pour off the oil into a bottle, being careful to not let any residue that has settled to the bottom go into the bottle.

Label your oil and use it the next time you have achy muscles!

Fill your glass jar 1/2 - 3/4 full of Goldenrod flowering tops and leaves. Cover with oil and use the chopstick to stir and coax out any air bubbles.

Tighten on the lid and let the oil sit in the sun for 2 weeks. Visit your oil daily and gently shake.

After 2 weeks, strain off the oil using the strainer and cheesecloth. Let the strained oil sit overnight then pour off the oil into a bottle, being careful to not let any residue that has settled to the bottom go into the bottle.

Label your oil and use it the next time you have achy muscles!

Herbal Recipes


Goldenrod Honey

Make this honey to sweeten your Goldenrod tea, take for soothing a sore throat, placing on slow healing wounds or as a treat on freshly baked, buttered bread.

Ingredients Tools

Flowering Goldenrod topsRaw honey

Jar with lidKnife and cutting board

Chopstick

Use your knife (or an ulu if you have one) to chop up the goldenrod flowers. If you are not comfortable using a sharp knife, have a grown-up or older sibling help you with this step.

Fill your jar 1/2 full with the chopped up Goldenrod flowers. Pour in the honey until the jar is full then use the chopstick to mix the honey in with the flowers. Add more honey if necessary to fill the jar.

Place the lid on the jar and let it sit for 2-3 weeks, stirring every day or so. You can strain off the flowers or leave in and eat with the honey.

Herbal Recipes


Coloring Page


CoyoteCanis latrans

GoldenrodSolidago spp.

Herb Pressing/DrawingHarvest a Goldenrod flower and some leaves, press it and place it here once they are dried.

GoldenrodSolidago spp.

Herbal Crafts and More!


Dyeing with Goldenrod

Goldenrod flowering tops are one of dyers favorite plants to dye with as the pretty yellow color is more colorfast than most yellow dye plants. Adding iron to the dye bath will create a mossy green color instead of yellow.

Freshly cut Goldenrod flowering tops in full flowerWaterHalf gallon glass jarScissorsStrainerWooden spoonAlumRusted iron nails* (if you’d like to make mossy green)Natural fibers to dye (play silks, wool yarn, cotton t-shirts)

You will need about 1 lb. of plants per pound of fiber to be dyed. Goldenrod does not dye well if dried so harvest when you can begin the dye bath.

You will need about 1 lb. of plants per pound of fiber to be dyed. Goldenrod does not dye well if dried so harvest when you can begin the dye bath.

Using the scissors, cut up the flowers into small pieces and fill the jar with the plant material. Pour water into the jar to completely fill. Place the lid on the jar and set in the sun for 2-4 days.

Using the scissors, cut up the flowers into small pieces and fill the jar with the plant material. Pour water into the jar to completely fill. Place the lid on the jar and set in the sun for 2-4 days.

Strain off the plant material and add 1/4 teaspoon alum per 16 oz. liquid, returning the liquid to the jar. Use the spoon to stir the mixture and allow the alum to dissolve.

Strain off the plant material and add 1/4 teaspoon alum per 16 oz. liquid, returning the liquid to the jar. Use the spoon to stir the mixture and allow the alum to dissolve.



Rinse the fibers you want to dye in cold water, gently squeezing out the excess. Carefully push them into the jar with the dye making sure they are fully submerged. Place the lid back on the jar and let sit in the sun for 2-5 more days. Check and stir daily to move the fabric around for more even dyeing.

Rinse the fibers you want to dye in cold water, gently squeezing out the excess. Carefully push them into the jar with the dye making sure they are fully submerged. Place the lid back on the jar and let sit in the sun for 2-5 more days. Check and stir daily to move the fabric around for more even dyeing.

Pour out the liquid and rinse your fibers in cool water until the water runs clear. Squeeze out the excess water and hang to dry.

Pour out the liquid and rinse your fibers in cool water until the water runs clear. Squeeze out the excess water and hang to dry.

Have fun playing with the dye. You can use rubber bands to tie dye your fibers. Twist the fabric and then fasten rubber bands over the twisted areas. The tighter you fasten the rubber bands, the whiter the rings will be.



*If you want to try dyeing with iron added to make a mossy green color, place a few old nails in a cup with water to cover the nails and let sit in the shade while your dye bath sits in the sun. The nails should rust leaving behind rusty water. Instead of adding alum to the dye bath, add the rusty nails and water, stirring to fully mix the rust water.





Dried Goldenrod Flowers

Goldenrod Flowers make a pretty edition to dried flower arrangements.

Freshly flowering Goldenrod tops and stems1 box BoraxWhite cornmealPlastic box large enough to lay the flowers in such as a shoebox or storage bin

Mix the borax and cornmeal together adding twice the amount of borax. For instance, if you are mixing 2 cups of borax, add 1 cup of cornmeal.



Sprinkle enough of the mixture to cover the bottom of the plastic container. Lay down a layer of flowers on top of the mixture, making sure to not over lap the flowers. Cover the flowers with enough mixture to fully cover. Lay down another layer of flowers and cover with more mixture. Continue doing this until your flowers are used up or your container is full. Place the lid on the container and let sit for 7 days.

Sprinkle enough of the mixture to cover the bottom of the plastic container. Lay down a layer of flowers on top of the mixture, making sure to not over lap the flowers. Cover the flowers with enough mixture to fully cover. Lay down another layer of flowers and cover with more mixture. Continue doing this until your flowers are used up or your container is full. Place the lid on the container and let sit for 7 days.

After 7 days, check the flowers for dryness. They may need about 10 days but if they remain immersed too long, they may begin to look burned. Once they are completely dry, carefully remove from the container and gently shake off the excess borax and cornmeal from the plants.

After 7 days, check the flowers for dryness. They may need about 10 days but if they remain immersed too long, they may begin to look burned. Once they are completely dry, carefully remove from the container and gently shake off the excess borax and cornmeal from the plants.

Your flowers are now ready to be arranged in a vase or used in other flower crafts. Your flowers are now ready to be arranged in a vase or used in other flower crafts. Your flowers are now ready to be arranged in a vase or used in other flower crafts.



Find your way through the Coyote!

Maze


Journal PagesUse these pages to keep a journal of your discoveries of this month’s herb.


Journal PagesUse these pages to keep a journal of your discoveries of this month’s herb.


Herbal Crossword


1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Antidepressant Bitter Solidago

Anti-inflammatory Carminative Stimulant

Aromatic Diaphoretic Tonifying

Asteraceae Diuretic Vulnerary

Astringent Perennial Woundwort

Across

2 Goldenrod has an ___ action on the muscles by reducing inflammation.

3 Herbs that temporarily raise the function or activity of a system are said to be a ___.

4 Pungent herbs such as Goldenrod cause a tightening or constricting of tissues because they are ___.

7 Herbs which cause one to sweat.8 Genus name of Goldenrod.10 What is the plant family Goldenrod belongs to?

11 Common name of European Solidago species.

12 A ___ is a herb that tastes unpleasant but is essential in retaining good digestion.

13 A ___ aids in the healing of wounds.

Down

Herbs that help induce the expulsion of gas are said to be ___.Herbs that help induce the expulsion of gas are said to be ___.2 Goldenrod can be safely used as an ___ to help cheer you

up during the dark, gloomy months of winter.5 Increases and brings health to an area of the body.6 Herbs that have a strong, pleasant aroma.7 As a ___, Goldenrod increases the production of urine.9 Plants that return from their roots year after year.

Herbal Crossword


This is a short list of some great resources for teaching kids more about herbs. For a more complete list, go to http://herbalrootszine.com/ and look on the lefthand column.

Books

For more reading about herbs, try these kid friendly books!

American Wild Flowers Coloring Book by Paul E. Kennedy

Wildflower Tea by Ethel Pochocki

A City Herbal by Maida Silverman

Walking in a World of Wonder by Ellen Evert Hopman

Common Weeds Coloring Book by Stefen Bernath

Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs by Gail Faith Edwards

I’m a Medicine Woman, Too! By Jesse Wolf Hardin

An Herbal Summer by Tony(a) Lemoshttp://blazingstarherbalschool.typepad.com/blazing_star_herbal_schoo/2009/07/back-from-the-printers.html

Games

Wildcraft! Available online at Learning Herbs: http://www.mcssl.com/SecureClient/track.ashx?

3178025&2

Wild Flowers of North America Knowledge Cards:http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?pomegranate+9MTzZV

+k163.html

Wild Cards by Linda Runyon, Available at: http://www.ofthefield.com/html/learning_resources_4.html

Reference & Resource Page






http://blazingstarherbalschool.typepad.com/blazing_star_herbal_schoo/2009/07/back-from-the-printers.html




http://www.mcssl.com/SecureClient/track.ashx?3178025&2




http://pomegranate.com/k163.html




http://www.ofthefield.com/html/learning_resources_4.html




Internet Resources

Watch a video on making flower essences:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6NYNgcfXNU

Kiva Rose’s monologues on Goldenrod:http://medicinewomansroots.blogspot.com/2007/02/goldenrod-new-uses-for-old-friend_22.html

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/blue-mountain-tea-a-sunny-medicine-for-cloudy-days.html

More information on the 3 different types of galls:http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek051001.html

Nature study on Goldenrod:http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/2009/10/outdoor-hour-challenge-autumn-series.html

Sources of dried Goldenrod:http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index.php?AID=113760&BID=676

http://www.blessedmaineherbs.com/bulkdriedherbs.html

Sources of Goldenrod oil and salve:Amrita Apothecary (Ananda Wilson) http://www.poppyswap.com/detail.asp?id=1205&n=Pain-Relief-Collection

Reference & Resource Page


http://medicinewomansroots.blogspot.com/2007/02/goldenrod-new-uses-for-old-friend_22.html








http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek051001.html

http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek051001.html

http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/2009/10/outdoor-hour-challenge-autumn-series.html




http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index.php?AID=113760&BID=676






http://www.poppyswap.com/detail.asp?id=1205&n=Pain-Relief-Collection




Documents

Planting a Seed of Knowledge for a Lifetime of … › V3I9-September-Goldenrod.pdf1 Visit the Herb Spirit page! 2 Harvest some Goldenrod today. 3 4 5 Sign up for a chance to win a