Goldenrod

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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

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

Apati P, Szentmihalyi K, Kristo ST, Papp I, Vinkler P, Szoke E, Kery A.

Herbal remedies of Solidago -- correlation of phytochemical characteristics and

antioxidative properties. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2003;32(4-5):1045-53.

Apati P, Houghton PJ, Kite G, Steventon GB, Kery A. In-vitro effect of

flavonoids from Solidago canadensis extract on glutathione S-transferase. J

Pharm Pharmacol. 2006;58(2):251-6.

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs:

Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine

Communications; 1998:139-140.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded

Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications;

2000:178-181.

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed.

Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications; 1998:77-78.

el-Ghazaly M, Khayyal MT, Okpanyi SN, Arens-Corell M. Study of the

anti-inflammatory activity of Populus tremula, Solidago virgaurea

and Fraxinus excelsior. Arzneimittelforschung.

1992;42(3):333-336.

Jiang T, Huang BK, Qin LP. A survey of chemical and pharmacological studies

on Solidago. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2006;4(4):430-5.

Klein-Galczinsky C. [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 rheumatic complaints.] [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr.

1999;149(8-10):248-253.

Meyer B, Schneider W, Elstner EF. Antioxidative properties of alcoholic

extracts from Fraxinus excelsior, Populus tremula and Solidago

virgaurea. Arzneimittelforschung. 1995;45(2):174-176.

Miller LG, Murray WJ, eds. Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician's Guide.

New York, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1998.

Morel AF, Dias GO, Porto C, Simionatto E, Stuker CZ, Dalcol II.

Antimicrobial activity of extractives of Solidago microglossa. Fitoterapia.

2006;77(6):453-5.

Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of

Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999:90-92.

Schatzle M, Agathos M, Breit R. Allergic contact dermatitis from goldenrod (Herba

solidaginis) after systemic administration. Contact Dermatitis. 1998

Nov;39(5):271-272.

Thiem B, Goslinska O. Antimicrobial activity of Solidago virgaurea L. from

in vitro cultures. Fitoterapia. 2002;73(6):514-6.

von Kruedener S, Schneider W, Elstner EF. A combination of Populus

tremula, Solidagovirgaurea and Fraxinus excelsior as an

anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drug. A short review. Arzneimittelforschung.

1995;45(2):169-171.

Weber RW. Goldenrod. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91(6):A6.

Yarnell E. Botanical medicines for the urinary tract. World J Urol.

2002;20(5):285-93.

 

 

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