Goldenrod
Also listed as:
Aaron's rod; European
goldenrod; Solidago
canadensis; Solidago
virgaurea
Overview
Historically,
goldenrod ( Solidago
canadensis or
Solidago virgaurea
) has been used
topically for wound
healing. The name solidago means "to make
whole."
In traditional
medical practices,
goldenrod is used to
treat tuberculosis,
diabetes, enlargement of
the liver, gout,
hemorrhoids, internal
bleeding, asthma, and
rheumatic illnesses
(disorders of the
muscles and joints).
Topical preparations of
goldenrod are used in
folk medicine to treat
inflammation of the
mouth and throat as well
as slow-healing wounds.
Today, goldenrod is
primarily used as an
aquaretic agent, meaning
that it promotes the
loss of water from the
body (as compared to a
diuretic, which promotes
the loss of both water
and electrolytes such as
salt). It is used
frequently in Europe to
treat urinary tract
inflammation and to
prevent or treat kidney
stones. In fact,
goldenrod is commonly
found in teas to help
"flush out" kidney
stones and stop
inflammatory diseases of
the urinary tract.
Laboratory studies
have found that active
compounds in goldenrod
help reduce
inflammation, relieve
muscle spasms, fight
infections and cancer,
and lower blood
pressure. Some studies
also suggest that it may
have antioxidant
effects. This herb has
not been extensively
studied in people.
Plant Description
Because goldenrod has
an unusual ability to
crossbreed with other
plants, there are at
least 130 recognizable
species of goldenrod in
the United States alone.
This herb is native to
Europe and has spread to
Asia, the Azores, and
both North and South
America.
European goldenrod is
a perennial often found
along roadsides and in
open fields with single
woody stems that grow to
heights of 3 - 7 feet.
Its yellow flowers,
which generally appear
in August and September,
are only about ¼-inch
wide but come in large
clusters. Leaves
alternate between
toothed and smooth
edges.
Contrary to popular
belief, goldenrod does
not cause hay fever. Its
pollen grains, which are
meant to be carried by
insects, are much
heavier than those of
ragweed and other plants
with airborne pollens
that may be associated
with allergies or hay
fever. However, allergic
contact dermatitis has
been reported when
coming in contact with
goldenrod.
Parts Used
The above ground
parts of the goldenrod
plant are dried and used
for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal Uses and
Indications
Goldenrod has the
ability to flush water
from the body, along
with anti-inflammatory
and antimicrobial
(ability to fight
infection) properties.
It is used by herbalists
for a wide range of
health problems,
including:
- Arthritis
- Allergies
- Colds and flu
- Inflammation of
the bladder or urinary
tract
- Kidney stones
- Laryngitis
- Sore throats
Topical applications
may aid in wound healing
and skin conditions such
as eczema. Never use
herbal products on open
wounds.
Available Forms
Goldenrod may be
taken in a variety of
forms, including the
dried herb (for teas,
capsules), tincture, or
fluid extract.
How to Take It
Pediatric
The appropriate dose
of goldenrod for a child
should be determined by
adjusting the
recommended adult dose
to account for the
child's weight. Most
herbal dosages for
adults are calculated on
the basis of a 150 lb
(70 kg) adult.
Therefore, if the child
weighs 50 lb (20 - 25
kg), the appropriate
dose of goldenrod for
this child would be 1/3
of the adult dosage.
Adult
Recommended adult
doses are as follows:
- Tea: Place 2 - 3
tsp of dried herb in
one cup of hot water
and let stand for 10
-15 minutes. Strain
and drink 3 times
daily.
- Gargle: Make the
tea described above,
and gargle 3 times
daily.
- Fluid extract
(1:1) in 25 % ethanol:
Take 0.5 - 2 mL, 2 - 3
times daily.
- Tincture (1:5) in
45 % ethanol: Take 2 -
4 mL, 2 - 3 times
daily.
Be sure to drink
plenty of water
throughout the day when
taking this herb.
Precautions
The use of herbs is a
time-honored approach to
strengthening the body
and treating disease.
Herbs, however, contain
components that can
trigger side effects and
interact with other
herbs, supplements, or
medications. For these
reasons, herbs should be
taken with care, under
the supervision of a
qualified health care
provider trained in the
field of botanical
medicine.
Goldenrod is
generally considered
safe. Some individuals
may develop a mild
allergic reaction to the
herb. Do not use if you
have a known allergy to
goldenrod.
Pregnant and
breast-feeding women and
people with impaired
heart or kidney function
should not take
goldenrod.
Possible
Interactions
There are no known
scientific reports of
interactions between
goldenrod and
conventional
medications.
Supporting Research
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K, Kristo ST, Papp I,
Vinkler P, Szoke E, Kery
A. Herbal remedies of
Solidago -- correlation
of phytochemical
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Apati P, Houghton PJ,
Kite G, Steventon GB,
Kery A. In-vitro effect
of flavonoids from
Solidago canadensis
extract on glutathione
S-transferase. J
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2006;58(2):251-6.
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The Complete German
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Boston, Mass:
Integrative Medicine
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J, eds. Herbal
Medicine: Expanded
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MT, Okpanyi SN,
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[Pharmacological and
clinical effectiveness
of a fixed phytogenic
combination of trembling
poplar ( Populus
tremula ), true
goldenrod ( Solidago
virgaurea ) and ash
( Fraxinus excelsior
) in mild to moderate
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. New York, NY: The
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Schatzle M, Agathos
M, Breit R. Allergic
contact dermatitis from
goldenrod ( Herba
solidaginis ) after
systemic administration.
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Solidago
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