Goldenrod does it again!

goldenrod fieldIt’s no secret to anyone that reads my blog that I absolutely love Goldenrod (Solidago spp.). It has changed my life in so many ways. This golden beauty released me from allergy hell; I no longer suffer from congestion, postnasal drip and sinus headaches (which always led to bronchitis); Goldenrod liberated me.

I knew not only would Goldenrod ameliorate my allergy and asthma symptoms along with supporting my urinary system; last summer, I read that its anti-inflammatory effect may relieve muscle pains and aches including arthritis. Well, I just had to try it. I infused Goldenrod in organic cold pressed olive oil for 6 weeks. I made a nice salve with organic bees wax and waited for my next pain or ache. I tried it and after about ten minutes, I realized the pain had subtly left my body. It really worked! I couldn’t believe my favorite herb relieved pain too, so I asked Mike to try too. I massaged some into his aching shoulder, waited ten minutes, and asked him what he thought. He looked at me and with a very inquisitive look on his face, and then stated, “Yeah, it’s gone.” It’s interesting because, when we tried it, I don’t think we actually thought it was going to work as well as it did. Then I tried it on my lower abdomen for menstrual cramps – voila, they were gone.

The next time I had an ache; Mike put some Goldenrod salve on one part and St. Johns Wort/ Arnica salve on the other side and didn’t tell me which side had which. Well folks, I am happy to announce, I could not tell one side from the other because the pain was just gone.  Goldenrod is becoming my go-to herb. It is simply AWESOME!

Do you have a favorite herb? Please share and I will continue to share.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

Opening a jar when your Big Strong Man is out of town

I recently, made a lovely nettle infusion. However, when I tried to open the jar – it wouldn’t budge. Normally, I would go find my Big Strong Man for these jobs. Yes, that is what I call Mike during these moments. Most of the time I yell, “I need my Big Strong Man” and hand him the jar. He really has a talent for opening jars. Well, this day, my Big Strong Man was out of town. Therefore, I resorted to the tools I used before I met him. I actually have 3 jar openers, yet they didn’t have any luck with the lid either. I ran hot water over the metal lid – nothing. It was so frustrating and hard to believe. It wasn’t a new lid; it had been reused at least 100 times, so how could it have created such a good seal?!

All my jar openers minus my Big Strong Man

All my jar openers minus my Big Strong Man

So I decided to call upon my friends on Facebook. I posted my “dilemma” and got many suggestions. One even suggested that I find a new Big Strong Man or use an oil filter wrench (hey I really wanted to drink the infusion, but couldn’t find where ours was). Then, the miracle came – “Just take a butter knife and put the tip under the lip of the jar lid. Lift a little and it will break the seal and the lid should twist off easily.” It worked like magic! I felt so liberated! Now as long as I have a butter knife, I don’t need to depend on my Big Strong Man for opening jars. Of course, I will still need him for getting rid of wasp nests and “other things.” So, it’s best to keep him around nonetheless. But now I got this jar thing covered.

The magical jar opener

The magical jar opener

Some people might think this post is sexist and I am exploiting Mike. Well, you bet your sweet bippy I am! Aren’t most people exploited in some way? Mike and anyone I have ever worked or volunteered with has exploited my organizational skills. Writers, scientists, artists, and financial managers are all being exploited for their talents. Exploit simply means to “make full use of or to derive benefit from.” Negative connotations aside: I’ll continue to exploit my husband and butter knives equally, as long as it gets me where I’m going.