Prairie Harvest Remedies: Herbs That Shine in September
Fall at the farm
September on the prairie is a season of gathering. The fields shift from green to gold, the mornings carry a bite of cool air, and the land offers its last abundance before winter. For my family, this has always been a time of noticing — watching what blooms, ripens, and remains after summer fades.
My Danish and German relatives came to the Midwest generations ago, bringing with them the herbal knowledge and remedies they had leaned on for centuries in Europe. But when they settled here, the prairie looked very different. Many of the plants they had known were nowhere to be found. Instead, they adapted: learning the new landscape, listening to neighbors and Native peoples, and discovering which prairie plants could fill the same roles their ancestors’ herbs once had.
That tradition of adapting and noticing is part of the inheritance I carry. I didn’t grow up with every recipe or remedy in hand, but I grew up recognizing the plants around me. My mother and grandparents seemed to know exactly what grew where and what season each plant belonged to. And with time, I’ve come to understand that these September plants (goldenrod, elderberry, echinacea, and rosehips) are the very ones that have long helped families prepare for the change of seasons.
Goldenrod: The Sunshine of Late Summer
Goldenrod begins to bloom when the fields start to fade, its golden spires catching the last warmth of the sun. While some blame goldenrod for autumn allergies, the true culprit is ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Goldenrod has long been used for supporting urinary health and easing inflammation.
How we use it today: Goldenrod’s soothing qualities extend to skin. It’s featured in our Foraged Grace Balm, where it works with other prairie herbs to calm irritation and support radiant skin. It’s also part of our Tattoo Balm, lending its restorative touch to skin in the healing process.
Elderberry: The Season’s Guardian
September is when elderberries ripen into rich, dark clusters, hanging heavy on the bush. Families across the Midwest have long turned them into syrup for immune support through the colder months. While we don’t currently craft elderberry remedies, we always encourage seeking them out from local small-batch makers at your farmers market.
But here’s a kindred plant worth noting: elderflower. Unlike elderberry, which shines as an internal remedy, elderflower is beloved in skincare for its brightening and soothing qualities. It’s one of the stars in our Foraged Grace Balm—a nod to both ancestral tradition and the gentler side of the elder plant.
Echinacea in bloom this summer
Echinacea: The Prairie’s Healer
Known to many as purple coneflower, echinacea is a plant native to this land, with a long history of use by Indigenous peoples. Settlers quickly learned to value its immune-supportive and healing properties. Its roots, harvested in the fall, were often dried for teas or tinctures.
How we use it today: Echinacea also supports skin health and resilience. In our Foraged Grace Balm, it joins goldenrod and elderflower in a restorative, anti-aging blend that helps keep skin strong and nourished through seasonal change.
Rosehips: The Fruit of Resilience
After the summer roses fade, their bright red fruit remains: the rosehip. In Europe, rosehips had long been gathered for teas, syrups, and jams as a vital source of vitamin C. On the prairie, families carried that tradition forward, preserving rosehips to help withstand the long winters.
How we use it today: Rosehip oil is a foundation in our Foraged Grace Balm, bringing antioxidants and deep nourishment to the skin. It also enriches all of our lip balms (from year-round favorite Honey Blush to seasonal Apple Cider) because lips need that extra dose of resilience, especially during harsh months like fall and winter.
Carrying the Tradition Forward
Goldenrod, elderberry, echinacea, and rosehips are more than just September herbs; they are threads of heritage, reminders of resilience, and guides through seasonal change.
My grandparents adapted their European traditions to the prairie, blending old knowledge with what was new and native. I may not carry every recipe they did, but I carry the awareness of these plants and the deep connection they represent. September herbs remind us that the land provides not just remedies, but also continuity — keeping us tied to those who came before and to the ground beneath our feet.
Prairie Remedies You Can Try This Season
Celebrate September herbs with these Meadowlark Made favorites, crafted to honor prairie tradition and seasonal wellness:
Foraged Grace Facial Balm
Goldenrod, echinacea, elderflower, and rosehip oil
Nourishing balm for resilient, plump, radiant skin
Tattoo Balm
Goldenrod + other soothing herbs
Helps calm and restore skin after tattoos or minor irritations
Lip Balms
Rosehip oil–rich for antioxidants, nourishment, and protection
Year-round flavors like Classic Mint, Honey Blush, and Brambles & Cream
Rotating mix of seasonal Midwest-inspired flavors
Tip: Pair your seasonal balm with a warm cup of goldenrod, rosehip, or other herbal tea for a full prairie-inspired self-care ritual.
If you’re searching for September herbs, fall natural remedies, or Midwest wild herbs, look to goldenrod, elderberry, echinacea, and rosehips — and discover them in seasonal remedies like Foraged Grace Balm, Tattoo Balm, or rosehip-rich lip balms, handcrafted by Meadowlark Made in the spirit of prairie tradition.
