Dry forest meadows, open fields or clear-felling are the preferred home of Goldenrod. It grows on both calcareous and acidic soils in almost all of Europe to North Africa. Goldenrod is a perennial plant that grows again year after year in the same place.
There are different types of Goldenrod. One of them is the real Goldenrod. It belongs to the composite family.
Goldenrod is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 20-30cm, sometimes even up to 1 m. It has an upright, upwardly branched stem. The leaves are smooth or hairy and often sawn at the edges. The yellow flowers fit in compound grapes. The plant appears in many different forms.
In the last century, some other species were introduced from North America. The tall Goldenrod, Solidaga gigantean, grows up to 1.5m high. The Canadian Goldenrod, Solidago vanadensis, grows even higher. There are copies that grow up to 2m high. The greatest healing property, however, is contained in the real Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea).
It is hardly commercially available any more. Anyone who owns a garden and is interested in the healing property of this plant, should cultivate it in the garden.
The ancient Teutonic tribes already used Goldenrod as a medicinal herb for wounds. In the Middle Ages, Goldenrod was used as a remedy for bladders and kidneys. However, the first proven use of the herb as an urological remedy goes back to the physician Arnold of Villanova (c. 1240-1311) who practiced in France, Italy and Spain.
His information was taken up by the medieval herbal books and emphasised the beneficial effect of the remedy for the treatment of bladder and kidney stones. Arnaud (1653) mentions Goldenrod as a diuretic as well as a remedy for “loosening the stones”. In the Württemberg Pharmacopoeia of 1741, the remedy is described as Herba Consolidae Saraceniae and “Lithontripticum”. It continues up to the present day. As the remedy was considered to have healing properties both internally and externally, it was also called “pagan woundwort”.
From the end of July, beginning of August, Goldenrod blooms bright yellow with many small flowers.
In naturopathy, Goldenrod is considered one of the best organ-specific kidney remedies.
Similar to the nettle, Goldenrod has diuretic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is therefore used for urinary tract inflammation and infections, that are often associated with a strong urge to urinate with painful release of small amounts of urine. It is also helpful in the case of kidney gravels and kidney stones.
In the body, the kidneys represent the area of partnership and relationship. The harmonious radiance of Goldenrod can therefore give a harmonizing effect in the kidney area. This corresponds to the composition of the active ingredients – essential oil, tannins, bitter substances, saponins and flavonoids – in other words, something of all healing active substances. This is why the effect of Goldenrod differs from that of other kidney medicinal herbs that are primarily diuretic. Goldenrod has a strong effect on the tissue of the kdneys to strengthen, heal and rebuild the tissues, so it can strengthen the function of the kidneys.
Goldenrod has long been in use as a traditional medicinal plant. The Commission E has taken old experiences into account in its assessment. Goldenrod is generally recognised for the application areas of inflammation of the urinary tract and irrigation therapy.
Applications divided by effectiveness (according to Commission E/ESCOP assessment)
- Irrigation therapy for inflammation in the kidney or bladder area and the urinary tract
- Irrigation therapy for urinary stones and kidney gravels
- Liver disorders
- Prevention of urinary stones and kidney gravels
According to folk medicine and medical experience Goldenrod helps with
- Chronic eczema and rashes (“blood purifier”). Inflammation of the mouth and throat, gum ulcers (gargle with tea)
- Haemorrhoids (external) swelling of the liver, acute (not confirmed)
- Nervous bronchial asthma (not confirmed)
- Fungal infections with candida (gargle, apply mush of herb)
- Prostate hypertrophy, urinary retention
- Irritable bladder, increased urge to urinate, pain and burning when urinating
- Rheumatism, joint pain, knee pain, hip pain, shoulder-arm syndrome
- Suppurating wounds, phlebitis (pulp from the herb)
Very effective for varicose veins due to its high flavonoid content, also for massaging the kidney area.
Fill a screw-top glass with fresh crushed Goldenrod herb, leaves and flowers. Pour over with 45% liqueur. Close and leave it to infuse in a warm place for about 4-6 weeks. Shake it from time to time. Strain and fill it into dropper bottles. 3×20 drops daily.
Tincture for bladder problems:
- Goldenrod herb
- Birch leaves
- Horsetail herb
- Bearberry leaves
- Nettle leaves
Mix the herbs, fresh or dried, in equal parts. Fill half of a screw-top glass with the herb mixture and fill it with 45 % liqueur. Leave it for 4-6 weeks, shake occasionally and strain. For cystitis, take 3×20 drops daily in a glass of water.
In homeopathy, the fresh inflorescences of Goldenrod are also used to treat diseases of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas.
Brew 2 teaspoons of crushed Goldenrod herb with 250 ml of water or prepare with a cup of cold water and bring it to a boil briefly. Let it steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink 1 cup several times a day. Drink at least 2 litres of liquid (in total) per day.
Many consider the alcoholic extract from Goldenrod more effective than tea, as it contains a lot of active ingredients.
Goldenrod is also included in numerous tea mixtures of the bladder/kidney tea group, also contained in instant tea and filter bags. Furthermore, many mono- and combination preparations contain dry and fluid extracts of the herb, whereby care should be taken to ensure that Genuine Goldenrod herb is declared on the package. The preparations are available on the market in the form of capsules, dragées, drops and other forms of preparation. The average daily dose of 6-12 g of Goldenrod herb should not be exceeded.
Goldenrod, and especially Canadian Goldenrod, can be crushed and applied to insect bites. Some Indians chew the flowers in case of sore throats.
When buying Goldenrod, always give the Latin name Solidago virgaurea. This is because usually it is the simple Canadian Goldenrod that is offered.
Note: For health conditions, do not use medicinal plants without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.