How To Make Goldenrod Tea- Goldenrod Tea Recipe

Goldenrod is a perennial herbaceous wildflower that blooms at the end of the summer. Sometimes considered a weed, the plant is full of herbal benefits. Learn how to make this goldenrod tea recipe, and enjoy the benefits that this native wild herb has to offer.

The goldenrod plant is a great plant to have around, with attractive flowers, and many beneficial qualities. Many may be familiar with this late summer blooming herb, which is aptly named for it's beautiful golden color.

I'm always so struck by it's beauty in the fall, when many other garden flowers are at season's end.

We allow wild goldenrod to grow wherever it wants, and wherever it settle's in. The reason for this is that it's a great garden plant to have around, even if it's growing wild along the edges of your garden.

The plant has many beneficial properties, as a herb as well as a garden plant.

Goldenrod brings in the pollinators in droves. It is an especially important source of nutrients late in the season for many different pollinators, including the bees.

The plant is also valued for it's herbal properties, and can be dried and harvested to preserve the flowers and leaves for use throughout the seasons.

Where To Find Goldenrod For Tea?

Goldenrod, also known as Solidago, is a native plant found in North America, South America, North Africa, Europe and Asia, and is likely recognized by both young and old.

A member of the Asteraceae Family, and Genus Solidago, this native herb is related to sunflowers and daisies, belonging to the same family as these plants.

There are over 130 different species of goldenrod. Often you will find more than one species growing in the same location. For example, we have a number of different types growing here at the farm every summer.

A popular species of goldenrod is Canada goldenrod, or solidago canadensis, which is commonly found in North America.

The plant generally grows wild in open fields, and along woodland edges in the direct sunlight, and blooms in late August. There are some species that are cultivated for the garden as well.

Usually, goldenrod is foraged for tea.

If you are foraging this plant, make sure that when you are harvesting goldenrod, that you have identified the goldenrod plant correctly.

Also if foraging, make sure that you harvest from an area which you would consider safe for use. This would be an organic location, free from herbicide or pesticide exposure, as well as free from road runoff.

Goldenrod Tea Benefits

This season I made sure to harvest lots of goldenrod flowers, as well as leaves from around the property.

These wild plants have multiple uses and one popular culinary use is to make a herbal tea.

It was my intention to dry and preserve the blooms and leaves for an herbal tea. I also plan to make goldenrod infused oil, goldenrod tincture, and goldenrod salve.

Goldenrod is a source of beneficial bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and salicylic acid derivatives.

The plant has been used traditionally for it's herbal benefits, and has long been used as a herbal medicine. Goldenrod is reported to have compounds which may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, spasmolytic and diuretic properties (source).

Here is a great article from the National Library of Medicine and Pubmed Central, highlighting goldenrod as a valuable source of bioactive phenols: Solidago graminifolia L. Salisb. (Asteraceae) as a Valuable Source of Bioactive Polyphenols: HPLC Profile, In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential.

A fun article from the Mississippi Plant Society and Mississippi Environmental Educational Alliance newsletter, titled Declare your independence with Solidago Tea, describes the history of goldenrod tea, and a connection to Liberty tea from the 1700's.

The article also reviews the many reported benefits of goldenrod tea. These include diuretic properties, and treatment of upper respiratory infections, post nasal drip, stomach cramps, and flatulence.

Which Parts Of Goldenrod Are Used For Tea?

Both the flowers and leaves are used to make goldenrod tea, either in the fresh or dried forms.

The tea can be made with a combination of both flowers and leaves, or either one or the other.

How To Prepare Goldenrod For Tea

Harvesting Goldenrod

If foraging your goldenrod, make sure of proper plant identification.

It's important to harvest goldenrod in it's prime state of bloom. Harvest the goldenrod flowers and leaves for tea when the plant is still fresh, and before the flowers are spent.

This is usually in late summer or early fall.

It is best to harvest on a dry day, and in the morning when the plants are in their most hydrated state.

Harvest each flowering stalk with a pair of clippers, including both flowers and leaves. Take only a few stems from each mature multi-stemmed plant.

Fresh Or Dried Goldenrod

I did another post on harvesting and drying goldenrod, using different methods of drying, which you can read about here.

Depending on whether you will be using goldenrod in the fresh state or dried state, the processing will be slightly different for each.

If you plan to dry some of the goldenrod, there are multiple methods to use for drying. Both the flowers and leaves can be dried either by air drying, or dehydrating in the food dehydrator.

Air drying can take several weeks or longer. Dehydrating in the dehydrator generally takes about 4 hours.

Drying the goldenrod flowers and leaves will allow you to have the herb on hand, to use for tea throughout the year.

For a more thorough description of the the process, you can read about drying the flowers and leaves in my post on drying goldenrod.

Dehydrated or dried goldenrod will be stronger than fresh, when comparing equal volumes of each. Therefore a smaller amount of dried plant will be needed for one cup of tea.

Processing Goldenrod

Processing the goldenrod for tea is very simple.

If using dried goldenrod, remove the dried goldenrod leaves and flowers from the stems. The leaves and small flower pieces can then be crushed, for easier use and storage.

If using fresh goldenrod, give the plant parts a rinse, to remove any small bugs or debris. Remove the leaves and flowers from the stems.

The fresh leaves can be used as is, or chopped into smaller pieces to help to release the essential oils. Goldenrod flowers will be small enough to use as they are, to place into your chosen brewing container.

Goldenrod Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

Dried goldenrod flowers or leaves-1 heaping tsp

Alternatively, Fresh goldenrod flowers or leaves- 1 tbsp

Boiling water- 1 cup of water

Directions

Learn how to make goldenrod tea, with this simple goldenrod tea recipe.

Add one heaping teaspoon of dried goldenrod, or one tablespoon of fresh goldenrod, to a tea bag or tea ball.

Steep in one cup of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Goldenrod tea is tasty all on it's own. You can drink the tea as is, or add some honey, lemon or mint to sweeten or vary the flavor.

Recipe Card

Goldenrod Tea Storage

Store goldenrod for tea in it's dried form, for best preservation long term.

Place dried goldenrod into an airtight container, such as a glass jar.

Label the container with the name of the herb, as well as the storage date. Place in a dry, cool, and dark place.

Storage time is approximately one year in an ideal storage location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Goldenrod Cause Hayfever?

Many have misidentified the goldenrod plant, confusing it with the weed known as ragweed, which can cause a significant allergic reaction.

Ragweed blooms at approximately the same time of year, throughout August and September.

Ragweed can produce a seasonal allergic response known as hay fever, in many people exposed to the pollen of the plant.

Goldenrod sadly has gotten a bad rap. It is not the highly allergenic culprit that many believe it to be.

Goldenrod's pollen granules are fairly heavy and don't travel too far from the plant. The goldenrod pollen is not likely to be airborne, therefore the plant is not the likely to be the cause of seasonal allergies.

As a result of this confusion, goldenrod is often avoided or overlooked, and regarded as a pesky weed.

In fact it is just the opposite.

This wonderful native plant has many benefits, both in the garden and in the kitchen.

What Does Goldenrod Tea Taste Like?

Goldenrod tea sometimes has a liquorice like or anise like flavor, depending on the species of goldenrod used.

Some goldenrod species have a milder flavor than others.

I find the tea to have a herbal taste. It reminds me of a green tea.

Be careful not to steep for too long, as the tea can become slightly bitter.

You will be able to adapt this goldenrod tea recipe to your individual taste. If you find the tea to be strong, reduce the amount in your tea bag, and reduce steeping time.

Who Should Not Drink Goldenrod Tea?

Certain medical conditions or treatments may preclude the use of goldenrod tea. Always check with your health care provider to be on the safe side.

Anyone with an allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family should not drink goldenrod tea.

People with latex allergies should avoid goldenrod tea.

Children under the age of 12 should not drink goldenrod tea.

Goldenrod can have a diuretic effect, so those with certain medical conditions in which this effect would be contraindicated should avoid goldenrod tea.

Some examples of these conditions, although not limited to only these conditions, would include kidney disease, and certain cardiac conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, and hypertension or high blood pressure, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

How Often Can You Drink Goldenrod Tea?

According to healthline, the dosage for goldenrod tea in tea form is up to 4 times daily, for adults and teens.

If goldenrod tea is being used for a specific medical condition, please consult with your physician or healthcare provider for medical advice before consuming.

In addition, if consuming this goldenrod tea recipe for a specific medical reason, use only for up to 2 weeks, in collaboration with your healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Goldenrod is one of the easiest plants to harvest and dry for tea.

The goldenrod tea recipe tastes great, using both fresh and dried forms of the goldenrod plant.

This year goldenrod's flowers were stunning in the garden. The golden yellow flowers were large and healthy, and glowed in the sunlight.

It was such fun to watch the pollinators gather on this wonderful plant, as I harvested plant parts for tea.

Knowing the importance of these plants for the honey bees and other pollinators at the end of the season, I have a special appreciation for the plant itself.

I can't wait for the next growing season, to gather some more of this special native herb.

Have you tried this goldenrod tea recipe? Be sure to leave a comment below to share your experience.

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