This is my post for #freewriters 2551 prompt at the back of the shelf hosted by @mariannewest
As long as I can remember my Aunt Mae had this jar of Goldenseal in her refrigerator. When she passed away I took it and it has been at the back of the shelf in my refrigerator for the last 35 years. My kids call it the mystery jar. Now they have grown up seeing it in their refrigerator as I did as a child. I doubt the Goldenseal is still good but I can not throw it out, somehow I feel close to my Aunt by having it.
It must be from the 1960s, that is when I remember my dad having me help him fill capsules with Goldenseal, he was big in taking it. I remember him saying that it would clean your system of all toxins. My dad also said to drink plenty of water while taking it. I have never tried taking it and it being close to 60 years old, I am not going to try it.
I found these uses for it.
Treating infections: Goldenseal is considered a natural antibiotic and is promoted to treat infections like ulcers, gastroenteritis, and stomach ulcers caused by the bacterium H. pylori.
Treating respiratory issues: Goldenseal is used to treat colds, the flu, and other upper respiratory tract infections.
Treating digestive issues: Goldenseal is used to treat digestive disorders, diarrhea, and constipation.
Treating allergies: Goldenseal is used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Treating menstrual issues: Goldenseal is used to treat menstrual disorders.
Treating pain: Goldenseal is used to treat rheumatic and muscular pain, and minor sciatica.
Treating ear issues: Goldenseal is used to treat earaches and ear infections.
Treating motion sickness: Goldenseal is used to treat motion sickness and nausea.
Treating sore throat: Goldenseal's astringent properties can help ease the discomfort of a sore throat.
I am not sure how it needs to be taken for each of these ailments or if you take it the same way for all of them.
Bold type copied from
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+does+goldenseal+do+for+the+body&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS914US914&oq=what+does+goldenseal&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyBggCEEUYOTIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCjEyODU2ajFqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#vhid=nqnl4D46k9HXoM&vssid=l
I found a video on what Wild Goldenseal looks like but as far as I can find, it does not grow in Florida it only grows as far south as Georgia.
photos are mine
If you want to take goldenseal, buy fresh capsules from a health food store. I admit some curiosity, but I wouldn't open the ancient jar either.
The jar being green and square has to tell how old it is. I am not going to take it but if I was, it would be from a health food store, not from this jar.
Wow! Looks like it is useful for almost all the conditions! Why did you keep it in the fridge unused for such a long time!!
I am not a fan of such "emotional sentiment" between an object and a person! If it's an useful thing, then keep it and use it. Otherwise, discard it.
#aliveandthriving
Even though I always have a loved one in my heart, it makes me smile when I see something that was theirs, even if it is an old jar. I kept it because of the love I have for my Aunt.
Once I took a cutting from my mothers rosebush, it has grown into a big bush full of roses and every day I walk by it and think of my Mom and smile. I guess I am very sentimental about things.
By now it is a novelty with my kids, they worry which one will be stuck with caring for the mystery jar. lol
I did not use it because of how old it was when I brought it home. I know they were using it in the 1960s.
Noted
If it make you happy, I see no harm in keeping that jar of antique goldenseal in the back of your fridge.