Solidago gigantea is doing very well this year. The road ditches are full of it, and the trip to the grass dump this year is colorful. What is “Solidago gigantea”? It is the Nebraska State Flower, goldenrod…the giant goldenrod, to be exact.
The word “Solidago” is Latin for “to make whole” and it refers to the historical medicinal use of goldenrod. This is what one herbal medicine advocate had to say about goldenrod: “This versatile herb is made into teas, tinctures, syrups, meads, and poultices for its antimicrobial, wound-healing, diuretic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory benefits and for relieving sinus congestion caused by allergies, sinus infections, and the common cold.”
Use for allergies? Yes! Many people think their allergies are caused by goldenrod; however, the pollen produced by …