Blaming the Bad One

  Thankfully, (at the moment) I have very few allergies.  I know that could change with the drop of a hat but, for now, I can wander the hillside with little or no ill effects.  This fact was one to ponder today as I sat on the pier.  Throughout the marsh, the yellow blooms of goldenrod were bobbing in the slight breeze.  These gorgeous blooms were intermingled with the (not so showy) ragweed blooms.  As I sat watching the softly swaying blooms, it occurred to me that that poor goldenrod catches so much flack by allergy sufferers.  The accusations are misdirected, however, as it is the ragweed that causes all the sniffling, sneezing and watery eyes.  It is easy to understand the misconception, though, as the two plants usually grow side by side and, since the goldenrod is much more noticeable, folks tend to believe that is the culprit.  Not so.  It is those little nondescript blooms of the ragweed that are the meanies!

  In reality, goldenrod can actually be used as a treatment for the allergy to ragweed.  Many sufferers find great relief when using goldenrod.  While many of us "old-timers" resort to actually using wild plants for our remedies, recently, herbal remedies have hit the market.  Folks are returning to old time cures from our grandparents' era.  Herbal capsules, pills ointments and syrups can be found  lining the drugstore shelves whereas just a few years back, these methods were ridiculed.  A lot changes with time.

  So folks, take you allergy meds as directed but put the blame where it is supposed to be.  Goldenrod is a wonderful plant to have about the place.  If you are sneezing, look closer and you will most likely find a plant that has some teeny, tiny almost green, knotty blooms hidden in with the showy goldenrod blooms.  THAT is the source of your problems and not my pretty goldenrod!