Solidago in Winter

It's a mild, overcast day in January. I have seed packets to organize into a "calendar" of action, as some will be getting started very soon. But I thought I'd catch up on vinegar (and other) infusions that got pushed to the back of the priorities shelf. What you see here is the plant matter marc of a local Solidago (goldenrod) species left from an infusion made on a sunny August day. So lovely, isn't it?

Before you ask how to make such a thing, let me say that my spouse made this batch by filling a quart canning jar with flowering tops, filling to cover with organic, living apple cider vinegar, screwing on a lid and labeling the jar. It was placed on a shelf, out of direct sunlight, where it's been given gentle, loving shakes every so often. Today it gets strained, bottled, and labeled for use. That's how it's done. So simple, right? After all herbalism is The People's Medicine: It belongs to all of us. All. 

Normally I'd strain this infusion after 6-8 weeks, but this had been macerating some 5 months, and it's a lovely yellow, with gorgeous, golden pollen that settles to the bottom of the jar, and while I've made this before, I don't remember it being quite so bitter as this batch. Whoa. The sip I took woke up parts of me that have been resting since... well... summer!

One of the things I love about this infused vinegar is enJOYing it in deep winter as the daylight is lengthening in the cuore of cold winter; that time of year that here in southern New England we know spring is on the way, even as winter's roots are still sunk deep. To me, this mirrors the Medicine that was harvested in summer, as daylight was waning in the heart of hot summer. Know what I mean? No wonder it warms and wakes my late-January cockles, right?

I'll likely add this to water to drink as a delicious bitter beverage through these winter days leading toward spring. I may combine it with the Rumex crispus radix (yellow/curly dock root) infused vinegar, which I blend with other botanicals into a personal mineral 'n' vitamin supplement. But it's a fine addition to many a food preparation, salads, vegetables, meats, and - oh my yes - soups.

Whatever I do with it, I will honor and offer gracious gratitude for the generous Food and Medicine of Nature.

[a version of this post was shared 1/22/19 at When Weeds Whisper]

Peace. 🕊