Goldenrod (wildcrafted)

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Air
Powers: Divination, Love, Money
Magical Uses and History: Goldenrod is a hearty wildflower found in many parts of the world. It usually blooms in late summer, spreading rapidly and attracts birds, bees, and butterflies plenty, lending to its association with prosperity and money. Folklore suggests that if goldenrod suddenly springs up in your yard that prosperity and money will soon follow.

According to other legends, goldenrod stems have been used as dowsing rods. The flower is said to bob when the seeker points the stem in the right direction. Furthermore, by wearing goldenrod flowers it is said you will cross paths the following day with your future lover. If you are looking to seal the deal, offer them some goldenrod tea. The dried leaves and flowers can be burned to enhance love spells and increase intuition during divination magic.

Goldenrod contains about 7% rubber naturally. Thomas Edison, through experimentation, bred goldenrod that grew about six feet tall and contained 12% rubber. The tires on his Model T Ford were subsequently made with goldenrod rubbed and Edison, Ford, Firestone, and Washington Carve teamed up to experiment further to increase rubber content and create tires made fully of goldenrod rubber. Unfortunately, synthetic rubber hit the scene soon after and the project was dropped. However, because of the high rubber content, goldenrod can be used in bouncing back spells, whether it be to reflect someone's actions back at them or to help you bounce back from a loss or grief.

Goldenrod can be used in a number of spells including:
    Divination
    Money Spells
    Prosperity Magic
    Love Spells

Medicinal Uses: Despite its association with allergies, goldenrod pollen is not carried by wind and therefore not often the cause of allergies. Goldenrod, however, is an anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and a diuretic. It is often used to treat upper respiratory catarrh and influenza, especially when paired with echinacea, cudweed, or pokeweed root. It can also be used in a poultice to heal wounds, and as a gargle to treat laryngitis and pharyngitis. Being a diuretic, dried goldenrod can be used to flush the kidneys and bladder to help pass stones. Historically, Native Americans used goldenrod tea to relieve cramps and other pain caused by inflammation and chewed the root to relieve toothaches, sore throat, and mouth sores. After the Boston Tea Party, American colonists realized that had lost their favorite drink. Shortly after they discovered that goldenrod leaves made an excellent tea, and soon it came to be known as Liberty Tea.

Preparation and Dosage: To prepare a tea, pour a cup of boiling water onto 2-3 teaspoon fulls of dried herb and allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. For a gargle, combine 2-3 tablespoons of the dried herb with one cup of boiling water. Allow to steep for 10-15 minutes and gargle up to three times a day. The gargle may be swallowed. If taking a tincture, take 2-4 milliliters of tincture a day. The tincture can also be used as a wound wash to prevent infection and speed healing. Fresh herb can be chewed briefly and placed on a wound to speed healing as well (aka create a poultice).




Source: Willow from Flying the Hedge