Goldenrod Gets a Bad Rap
Every fall, as fields and roadsides turn bright yellow with goldenrod, I hear the same thing: “My allergies are terrible. It must be all that goldenrod!”
But goldenrod usually isn’t the culprit.
Goldenrod and ragweed bloom around the same time, which is probably why goldenrod has taken so much of the blame. The difference is in how they pollinate. Goldenrod’s pollen is relatively heavy and sticky and is primarily carried by insects. Ragweed produces large amounts of lightweight pollen that can travel through the air, making it a much more common source of seasonal pollen allergies.
How to Tell Goldenrod and Ragweed Apart
Goldenrod is easy to notice. Its clusters of tiny yellow flowers light up Vermont fields from late summer into fall.
Ragweed is much less showy. Its flowers are small and greenish, so you may barely notice it even while its pollen is traveling through the air.
So while you're looking suspiciously at those beautiful yellow fields, the plant causing your seasonal misery may be quietly growing nearby.
Goldenrod in the Herbal Tradition
Rather than being a plant I avoid, goldenrod is one I look forward to working with each year.
Goldenrod has a long history of use in traditional Western herbalism, particularly in seasonal herbal preparations. I harvest it here in Vermont while the flowering tops are fresh and vibrant and prepare it using traditional tincture-making methods.
This is one of the things I love most about herbalism: learning to recognize the plants growing around us and understanding the ways people have traditionally worked with them.
Look a Little Closer This Fall
The next time you see a field glowing yellow with goldenrod, take another look before blaming it for your fall allergies.
You may be looking at one of autumn's most beautiful and misunderstood plants.
Want to explore more? Visit our Herbal Remedies collection to discover small-batch tinctures and other traditional herbal preparations made with herbs grown or wildcrafted here in Vermont.