One of the most well known, wild medicinal herbs in America, goldenseal grows to one foot high, and supports one main leaf and multi-lobed secondary leaves. Its seed are grown in clusters of fruits. This native perennial was formerly abundant in open woodlands having good natural drainage and an abundance of leaf mold. Its range is from southern New York and Ontario, west to Minnesota, and south to Kentucky and Georgia.
Goldenseal took its name from the golden stain its roots emit. American Indians used the plant to dye their clothing and skin, and as an insect repellent. The herbs generic name, Hydrastis, comes from two Greek words meaning water and to accomplish referring to its medicinal value, especially its past use in treating mucous membranes.
By the 1800s, goldenseal was included in medical lists of drug plants in America. The plant was used to treat dyspepsia, inflammations and other illnesses. It was an official drug plant until 1936, when it almost became extinct because of its great popularity,
Like ginseng, goldenseal must be grown in the shade of a wood land or a lath house. The soil should be well fertilized, preferably with decaying vegetable matter.
Raw bone meal and cotton seal can also be used to advantage. In October, seed may be broadcast or planted " inch apart in rows six inches part in a well-prepared seedbed. Cover seed with fine leaf mold to the depth of one inch. In winter, the seedbed should be protected with burlap or fertilizer sacks.
When the surface soil shows signs of drying out, give a light sprinkling of tepid water with a fine spray. Excessive watering and cold water are harmful. Repeated sprinkling with small quantities of water must be continued so that the soil will never be water-soaked. After the flower buds begin to form, raise nighttime temperatures to 60 to 65 F. (15.15 C to 18.33 C). Place a thermometer near the plants to be sure of the temperature.
Always keep the plants as close to the window as possible, but beware that they are not harmed by the frost during cold nights. The foliage must never be allowed to touch the glass of the window. A few thicknesses of paper placed between the plants and the glass during extra-cold nights will be an added protection. Water moderately, but never let the soil dry out. When the buds begin to open very weak liquid manure may be substituted for the water to encourage long flower spikes set with larger blooms, Support flower stem with four or five short, thin stakes stuck around the edge of the pot connected with thin twine. For cutting, remove each spray when the first two blooms have opened.
When the blooming season is over, gradually withhold water and dry off in a cool room. The process of ripening the corms required about a month or so. When perfectly dry, shake the soil from the corms and store in a dry place until next fall or early winter, when they may be replanted. Corms which started into growth during storage fail to bloom, in most cases.
Goldenseal took its name from the golden stain its roots emit. American Indians used the plant to dye their clothing and skin, and as an insect repellent. The herbs generic name, Hydrastis, comes from two Greek words meaning water and to accomplish referring to its medicinal value, especially its past use in treating mucous membranes.
By the 1800s, goldenseal was included in medical lists of drug plants in America. The plant was used to treat dyspepsia, inflammations and other illnesses. It was an official drug plant until 1936, when it almost became extinct because of its great popularity,
Like ginseng, goldenseal must be grown in the shade of a wood land or a lath house. The soil should be well fertilized, preferably with decaying vegetable matter.
Raw bone meal and cotton seal can also be used to advantage. In October, seed may be broadcast or planted " inch apart in rows six inches part in a well-prepared seedbed. Cover seed with fine leaf mold to the depth of one inch. In winter, the seedbed should be protected with burlap or fertilizer sacks.
When the surface soil shows signs of drying out, give a light sprinkling of tepid water with a fine spray. Excessive watering and cold water are harmful. Repeated sprinkling with small quantities of water must be continued so that the soil will never be water-soaked. After the flower buds begin to form, raise nighttime temperatures to 60 to 65 F. (15.15 C to 18.33 C). Place a thermometer near the plants to be sure of the temperature.
Always keep the plants as close to the window as possible, but beware that they are not harmed by the frost during cold nights. The foliage must never be allowed to touch the glass of the window. A few thicknesses of paper placed between the plants and the glass during extra-cold nights will be an added protection. Water moderately, but never let the soil dry out. When the buds begin to open very weak liquid manure may be substituted for the water to encourage long flower spikes set with larger blooms, Support flower stem with four or five short, thin stakes stuck around the edge of the pot connected with thin twine. For cutting, remove each spray when the first two blooms have opened.
When the blooming season is over, gradually withhold water and dry off in a cool room. The process of ripening the corms required about a month or so. When perfectly dry, shake the soil from the corms and store in a dry place until next fall or early winter, when they may be replanted. Corms which started into growth during storage fail to bloom, in most cases.
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