Goldenrod In The Bedroom: A Warm And Cozy Haven

Goldenrod is a versatile plant that can enhance the beauty of your bedroom and offer various health benefits. With its bright yellow flowers and arching stems, goldenrod adds a touch of nature's glamour to any space. Here are some ways to incorporate goldenrod into your bedroom:

1. Visual Delight: Goldenrod's vibrant colour and unique shape make it an excellent choice for adding a pop of colour to your bedroom. Whether displayed in a vase on your nightstand or arranged in a hanging terrarium, goldenrod will undoubtedly catch the eye and impress your guests.

2. Aromatic Experience: Goldenrod essential oil, with its grassy, bittersweet aroma, can elevate your bedroom's ambiance. Diffuse it with citrus oils or apply a few drops to your wrists, neck, or pillow for a calming and romantic fragrance.

3. Health Benefits: Goldenrod is more than just a pretty face. It is known for its medicinal properties, including treating respiratory issues, UTIs, inflammation, and wounds. Consider using goldenrod tinctures, teas, or salves to promote wellness while you sleep.

4. Natural Lighting: Goldenrod's sunny disposition can also be utilised to bring natural light into your bedroom. Place a vase of goldenrod near a window to capture the sunlight and reflect a warm glow throughout the room.

5. Creative Decorations: Get creative and incorporate goldenrod into your bedroom decorations. For example, you could press and dry the flowers to create unique artwork or frame them for a more sophisticated look.

6. Calming Presence: Goldenrod is believed to have a calming effect on the mind and body. Its presence in your bedroom may help reduce stress and promote a sense of relaxation, making it an ideal plant for creating a serene sleeping environment.

Goldenrod as a natural dye

Goldenrod is a versatile plant with a wide range of applications, including as a natural dye. Here is a detailed guide on using goldenrod as a natural dye:

Choosing the Right Goldenrod:

Goldenrod, scientifically known as Solidago, is a member of the aster family native to North America, with several species found across the continent. When selecting goldenrod for dyeing, opt for bright yellow flowers, as they will yield the most vibrant colours. The Solidago canadensis variety, found in the Pacific Northwest, is an excellent choice. Harvest the flowers during late summer before they start to look dull and dry out.

Preparing the Fabric:

Before dyeing, it is essential to mordant the fabric, which involves adding a compound that binds the dye to the fibres. Common mordants include alum (potassium aluminium sulfate), which can be purchased at grocery stores or from natural dye suppliers. Prepare a solution of alum and soak the fabric according to the instructions provided by the supplier.

Dyeing Process:

• Set up your dye pot: Place the harvested goldenrod flowers in a stainless steel, steel, or aluminium pot and cover them with water. You can include about 6-12 inches of the green stem along with the flowers. The amount of goldenrod used will depend on the weight of the fabric being dyed. A good rule of thumb is to use equal weights of goldenrod and fabric (e.g., 100 grams of goldenrod for 100 grams of fabric).
• Simmer the goldenrod: Bring the pot to a simmer at 180-200°F for about 30 minutes. Then, remove the pot from the heat source and let the mixture sit for 2-24 hours. The longer it sits, the stronger the colour will be.
• Remove the goldenrod: Before adding the fabric, strain the liquid or use a slotted spoon to take out the flowers. Add more water to the pot to ensure the fabric can move freely.
• Add the fabric: Place the prepared fabric into the dye pot and heat it again to a simmer (180-200°F). Maintain this temperature for 30-60 minutes, stirring the pot about every 10 minutes to achieve an even colour. Do not let the mixture boil.
• Cool and soak: Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool. You can let the fabric soak in the dye bath for up to a day to increase the colour absorption. Remember that the fabric will dry lighter.
• Wash and dry: After dyeing, fill a small pot with warm water and a gentle dish detergent. Gently wash and rinse the fabric until the water runs clear. Hang the fabric to dry, away from direct sunlight. Optionally, you can machine wash the fabric after a few weeks to ensure no colour runs.

Creating Different Colours:

Goldenrod produces beautiful yellow and gold colours. However, you can also create green shades by using an iron afterbath. Mix ½-1 teaspoon of iron powder with boiling water and add this solution to a larger pot of water. Soak the dyed fabric in this iron bath, stirring continuously, and watch for the colour change, which can happen within a few minutes.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always use separate pots for dyeing than those used for cooking. Thrift stores are excellent sources for finding inexpensive dye pots.
• It is best to perform the dyeing process outdoors or in a well-ventilated area due to the strong odours produced.
• Be cautious when handling fresh goldenrod, as it can trigger allergies in some individuals.
• Avoid using fertiliser when growing goldenrod for dyeing, as it can reduce flower production and cause the plant to become leggy.

Goldenrod as a tincture

Goldenrod is a versatile herb with a wide range of medicinal properties. It can be used to treat seasonal allergies, colds, flu, and urinary tract infections. Goldenrod tinctures are a great way to take advantage of these benefits. Here is a detailed guide on how to make and use a goldenrod tincture:

Making the Tincture

To make a goldenrod tincture, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:

• Goldenrod blooms (fresh or dried)
• Alcohol (at least 80 proof or 40%)—vodka is a popular choice due to its neutral flavour, but other options like rum or brandy can be used as well.
• Glass jar with a lid
• Honey or ginger ale (optional)

Instructions:

• Roughly chop up your fresh or dried goldenrod blooms. If using fresh flowers, fill the jar about halfway to three-quarters full. For dried flowers, fill the jar about a quarter to halfway. It's okay to include some leaves along with the flowers.
• Pour the alcohol into the jar until the goldenrod is completely covered.
• Secure the lid on the jar and store it in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight.
• Let the tincture infuse for at least 4 to 6 weeks. If using dried goldenrod, shake the jar daily during the first couple of weeks to ensure the herbs absorb the alcohol evenly.
• Your goldenrod tincture will typically last for at least a year.

Using the Tincture

Goldenrod tinctures can be used to treat various ailments. Here are some guidelines on how to use them effectively:

• For adults, a typical dose is 30 to 60 drops of tincture diluted in a small amount of water, ginger ale, tea, or honey. This can be taken 3 to 5 times a day.
• Always consult a healthcare professional before using goldenrod tinctures, especially if you are on medication, pregnant, or have any health concerns.
• Goldenrod tinctures are diuretic, so avoid taking them too close to bedtime to prevent frequent urination during sleep.
• Goldenrod is generally considered safe, but it is always recommended to start with a small dose (e.g., 1/2 to 1 teaspoon) to gauge your body's reaction.

Goldenrod as a tea

Goldenrod tea is a natural herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of the goldenrod plant. It is considered to have medicinal properties and is used to address a variety of ailments, including congestion, allergies, asthma, and arthritis. It is also believed to be a diuretic and is often recommended for urinary complaints and supporting kidney function.

To make goldenrod tea, you will need the flowers and leaves of the goldenrod plant, which can be found in most parts of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Be sure to correctly identify the plant with the help of a field guide or an experienced local forager. The best time to forage goldenrod is in late summer and early fall, just before or as the flowers begin to open.

• Cut off the tops of the goldenrod flowers, adjusting the amount according to your preferred tea intensity.
• Chop the flowers, leaves, and stems to fit in a pot.
• Place the goldenrod in a pot and pour in about 1000 litres of water, or enough to fill your desired container.
• Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the flowers steep for around 30 minutes.
• Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer before consuming.

Note that fresh goldenrod tea can become bitter if steeped for too long, so it is best to limit the steeping time to 15 minutes or less. Goldenrod tea is best consumed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container if needed.

Enjoy your goldenrod tea in the bedroom, perhaps as a relaxing ritual before bedtime. Just remember that it is a diuretic, so it may not be the best idea to drink it too close to bedtime!

Goldenrod as an infused oil

Goldenrod is a flowering herb with bright yellow tops that grows well in open areas like prairies, savannas, and mountains. Its scientific name, Solidago, comes from the Latin word "solidare", meaning "to strengthen". The plant is most commonly found in North America, but a few species have been spotted in Europe.

Goldenrod-infused oil is a traditional remedy for aches and pains and can be used to create an all-purpose healing salve for treating muscle aches, chapped lips, and minor scratches. The oil can be made by filling a jar a quarter to halfway with dried goldenrod flowers and then pouring an oil such as sunflower, sweet almond, or olive oil over the flowers until the jar is full.

There are three methods for infusing the oil:

• The slow way: Cap the jar and store it in a dark cabinet for 4 to 6 weeks before straining.
• The solar way: Cover the jar with cheesecloth or an old t-shirt and place it in a sunny window for several days or a few weeks. The heat from the sun will help the oil infuse faster.
• The speedy way: Place the uncovered jar in a small saucepan with a few inches of water and heat on a low burner for 2 to 3 hours. The oil can then be strained and used immediately or allowed to infuse for a few more days.

Goldenrod oil can be used to make salad dressings and is also beneficial for the skin, effectively healing various skin conditions. It can be applied topically to soothe sore muscles, and can be made into a salve.

Goldenrod as a salve

Goldenrod is a medicinal herb with many benefits. It is often used to create salves that can be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation and improve wound healing.

To make a goldenrod salve, you will need dried goldenrod flowers and leaves, oil (such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil), beeswax pellets, sterilised bowls and jars, saucepans, stirring utensils, and a food thermometer. You may also add vitamin E oil and essential oils of your choice, though these are optional.

The first step is to infuse the goldenrod into the oil. There are two methods for doing this:

Method 1:

• Place the dried goldenrod in a sterilised jar.
• Cover with oil until the oil is one inch above the plant material.
• Shake thoroughly and store in a dark, cool place, shaking every day for six weeks.

Method 2 (Quick Method):

• Place the dried goldenrod in a sterilised heat-resistant bowl or jar and cover with oil.
• Place water in a saucepan and put the bowl/jar with the goldenrod on top, creating a double boiler effect.
• Turn the heat to low and heat the goldenrod and oil to a temperature no higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to two hours if you have the time.

Once your oil has been infused, you can create the salve:

• Place one cup of infused oil in a sterilised bowl or jar and place it in or on top of a simmering saucepan on low heat.
• Add 1/8-1/4 cup beeswax to the oil infusion and heat, stirring occasionally with a sterilised spoon.
• Once the beeswax has melted, pour the mixture into a sterilised tin or jar.
• If you are using vitamin E or essential oils, let the mixture cool down until it is still warm and then add these ingredients.

Goldenrod salves can be used to rub on irritated skin, achy or sore muscles, and joint pain.

Frequently asked questions