Goldenrod is an amazing medicinal plant that can be used to make an infused oil, tincture, tea and salves. This DIY homemade goldenrod salve can be used on muscle aches, spams and pains, for reducing inflammation, fighting infections, lowering blood pressure and as an all-purpose healer on minor scrapes and scratches. It is an amazing salve to have on hand.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a flowering plant that is native to North America. Its vibrant yellow flowers bloom from late summer through to early fall. Though sometimes mistaken as a weed, goldenrod has a long history of being used in traditional medicine due to its amazing therapeutic properties.
All of the above ground parts of this plant are edible. This means that they can be used for recipes such as salad dressings, though the main reason this plant is sought out, is for its medicinal use.
Goldenrod is a plant that can be used as a substitute for arnica in an infused oil or salve.
This lovely plant provides a wide array to benefits, including
- Helping with soothing and healing dry, itching skin, insect bites and more
- Moisturising and hydrating your dry, itching skin
- With its anti-inflammatory properties, this plant can help reduce redness, swelling and irritation from skin conditions including eczema and dermatitis
- Help speed up the healing process of minor cuts, scrapes and burns while helping to reduce scarring and promote skin regeneration in the process
- Helpful for bruises, sprains and minor injuries
- This plant is also extremely useful for upper respiratory congestion. It can help dry up the watering eyes and running nose. Try using in a tea, tincture or infuse in honey.
Harvesting Goldenrod
If you are growing your own goldenrod plants, harvest the flowers, buds and leaves just as the flowers are beginning to open, making sure to avoid any plants that have been affected by powdery mildew.
Carrier Oils
When making a salve, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the salve as each carrier oil has its own set of distinct properties. Blending a couple of carrier oils can also help maximise their benefits.
With this salve recipe, there are multiple carrier oils that could be used including:
- Avocado Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Argan Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Hemp Oil
- Safflower Oil
You can learn more about carrier oils here.
Before Using this Salve
Before using this rub, you will need to understand a few things.
- While goldenrod is usually safe for many people, if you have any medical conditions, please take extra precautions and consult a healthcare professional before using. It is best to avoid using goldenrod when pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Goldenrod may also cause a reaction on people who have a latex or ragweed allergy
- Test on small area of skin before using. If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils.
- Wash hands well after using.
More Salve Recipes
- Make Healing Calendula Salve
- Arnica Salve
- DIY Sore Muscle Rub
- DIY Rose Salve
- Herbal Muscle Salve
- Charcoal Drawing Salve
- Rosemary Salve
- Comfrey Salve
- Violet Leaf Salve
- Plantain Salve
Goldenrod Infused Oil
To make this salve, you will first need to make goldenrod infused oil.
To make the infused oil, you will need:
- ½ cup goldenrod – dried
- 1 cup Avocado Oil
First you will need to infuse the goldenrod in the avocado oil. To do this, let your fresh leaves dry for at least a day or two before infusing.
Place the dry leaves in a glass jar and cover it completely with avocado oil.
Put the lid on the jar and store in a dark cupboard for two to four weeks, shaking every couple of days to keep everything submerged.
Strain the leaves with a strainer, cheesecloth or an unbleached coffee filter. The infused oil is now ready to make into a salve.
If you want to speed up the infusion process, slowly heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24 – 48 hours.
For more information on making infused oils, check this out.
Using Goldenrod Infused Oil
Here are some ways the goldenrod infused oil can be used.
- Use as a moisturiser as it will help keep your skin hydrated
- This infused oil can be used as a dressing on your homemade salads
- Create a salve – see below
- Use to help reduce redness, swelling and irritation on skin that has been caused by a skin condition such as eczema or dermatitis
- Add a few drops to a warm bath
- Soothe and calm dry, itchy skin by rubbing a small amount of oil on your skin
- Speed up the healing process of minor cuts, scrapes and burns while also helping to reduce scarring
Making Goldenrod Salve
To make about 8 ounces of this salve, you will need:
- 1 Cup Infused Goldenrod Oil
- 2 TBSP Beeswax pellets
Combine the beeswax and the infused oil in a microwaveable container and heat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir in between each heat burst.
This process could also be done in a double boiler.
Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.
Let the salve cool and set.
The salve is now ready to label, date and store.
Storing This Salve
Place the salve in dark glass jars or metal tins to protect it from exposure to light and air. I have also used tubes for easier application.
Store in a cool, dark place.
When properly stored, this salve should last up to six months.
To Use this Salve
Using clean hands, rub a small amount of the salve onto your fingers, then rub it in the intended site.
- Apply a small amount of salve to insect bites or stings to soothe the itching and help reduce any inflammation
- Gently massage into sore muscles or aching joints for some temporary relief
- Gently apply a small amount to minor skin irritations including rashes, dry skin, and minor sunburns
- Carefully apply a very thin layer to help with badly chapped lips, though be very careful when using it in this manner
Notes
- If you are picking fresh leaves to use in this salve, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
- Harvest only when you are 100% positive you have the correct plant as there are many lookalikes which are inedible or poisonous.
- Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to salves as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties. Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to help preserve your salve even longer!
- You can use any type of carrier oil for the infused oil. This recipe uses avocado oil.
- If you want this to be a vegan recipe, swap out beeswax pellets for candelilla wax.
- Try adding 12 drops lemon essential oil for a more powerful salve. Lemon essential oil helps fight bacteria, nourish and hydrate skin.
- I live in a hot climate, so this is made with 3 tablespoons of beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder salve. Use less beeswax if you want a softer balm. To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and see what it does. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add more oil.
DIY Homemade Goldenrod Infused Oil & Salve
Simple Living. Creative LearningIngredients
Goldenrod Infused Oil
- ½ Cup Goldenrod dried
- 1 Cup Avocado Oil or other carrier oil
Goldenrod Salve
- 1 Cup Goldenrod Infused Oil
- 2 TBSP Beeswax pellets
Instructions
Goldenrod Infused Oil
- First you will need to infuse the goldenrod in the avocado oil. To do this, let your fresh leaves dry for at least a day or two before infusing.
- Place the dry leaves in a glass jar and cover it completely with avocado oil.
- Put the lid on the jar and store in a dark cupboard for two to four weeks, shaking every couple of days to keep everything submerged.
- Strain the leaves with a strainer, cheesecloth or an unbleached coffee filter. The infused oil is now ready to make into a salve.
- If you want to speed up the infusion process, slowly heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24 – 48 hours.
Goldenrod Salve
- Combine the beeswax and the infused oil in a microwaveable container and heat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir in between each heat burst.
- This process could also be done in a double boiler.
- Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.
- Let the salve cool and set.
- The salve is now ready to label, date and store.
- Place the salve in dark glass jars or metal tins to protect it from exposure to light and air. I have also used tubes for easier application.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
- When properly stored, this salve should last up to six months.
Notes
- If you are picking fresh leaves to use in this salve, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
- Harvest only when you are 100% positive you have the correct plant as there are many lookalikes which are inedible or poisonous.
- Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to salves as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties. Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to help preserve your salve even longer!
- You can use any type of carrier oil for the infused oil. This recipe uses avocado oil.
- If you want this to be a vegan recipe, swap out beeswax pellets for candelilla wax.
- Try adding 12 drops lemon essential oil for a more powerful salve. Lemon essential oil helps fight bacteria, nourish and hydrate skin.
- I live in a hot climate, so this is made with 3 tablespoons of beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder salve. Use less beeswax if you want a softer balm. To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and see what it does. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add more oil.
Homemade Instant Pancake Mix
I harvested a dried goldenrod a few weeks ago, but it’s the flower and leaf. Will that still work, or does it need to be only leaf?
Yes, you can use flower and leaf, if that is what you have.