Introduction
Goldenrod is part of the Solidago genus and it has been used for herbal medicine for hundreds of years now. It’s quite plentiful, and there are over 20 different species in the Midwest alone.
They are known for their yellow flowers which are arranged in a sort of rod (albeit not always a straight one.) They can grow quite tall and can reach as high as 6 feet, although they’re more likely to be shorter than that. [1]
It often grows in meadows and can be found along trails and roadsides in the Midwest.
Its uses in herbal medicine are as plentiful as the herbs themselves. In this article, I’m going to go over the many medicinal uses for Goldenrod. I’ll also breakdown some of the phytochemicals (constituents) that we owe its many uses to.
Constituents found in Goldenrod
For people who are total nerds like I am, here is a list of them: phenolic glycosides (incl. leiocarposide), flavonoids (rutin, quercitin & quercetrin, astragalin, carotenoids, essential oils containing Borneo, polyacetylines, hydroxylbenzoates, tannic acid, pseudo tannins, organic acids, saponins, and polysacharides. [1]
Quercitin, also found in in fruits like pineapple (hence the yellow), suggest that it would be a great plant for allergies, lung and breathing problems.
Astragalin (if it is found at all in astragalus) would make Goldenrod ideal for anxiety. It’s been shown clinically to have anti-cancer properties [2] and we can count on astragalin also helping the lungs and coughing.
Carotenoids are found in carrots and of course high in vitamin A. Thus, they support eye health and protect against cancer. [3]
Tannins are antioxidants found in green tea. It’s astringent and bitter in taste. Herbs with astringent help with ulcers, stomach problems, and irritated tissue and mucosal membranes. Due to their bitter taste (as many yellow plants) we can deduce that Goldenrod may be good for digestion.
Saponins are a constituent that’s also found in soap nuts and can actually create a soapy lather used to clean things!
So, just by looking at the constituents, we can tell a lot about what healing properties we can expect Goldenrod to have. Here are some common medicinal uses for Goldenrod.
Herbal Actions of Goldenrod
- Vulnerary (treating wounds)
- Antimicrobial
- Astringent
- Emennagogue
- Diaphoretic
- Carminative
- Styptic
Medicinal Uses of Goldenrod
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries. Some of the key medicinal uses include:
- Wound Healing: Russian herbal healers would crinkle the flowers onto wounds in order to help them heal faster. [1]
- Sores & Burns: The astringent properties of the tannins found in Goldenrod also make this a great plant for sores and burns.
- Boils: The Ojibwe have used the roots as a poultice for boils.
- Sprains with Swelling: Also found by the Ojibwe, the stalk and root can be used as a poultice to treat sprains with severe swilling. [1]
- UTIs and Kidney Stones: often used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prevent kidney stones. Its diuretic properties help flush out bacteria and toxins from the urinary system.
- Stomach Cramps & Diarrhea: Due to the astringent properties of the tannins, Goldenrod can be used for diarrhea.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: The plant is known to reduce inflammation and has been used to alleviate symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Similarly, it can be useful for bee stings when used as a poultice.
- Respiratory Support: Goldenrod can help relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions such as allergies, colds, and bronchitis. It helps clear mucus and soothe irritated tissues.
- Loose teeth: Ah, those astringent properties again. Of course you would use Goldenrod for teeth that AREN’T supposed to come out, as this would heal the tissue around the teeth and be more likely to make it harder to pull out.
- Yeast Infections: The anti-microbial properties are at it again. (You can count on many yellow plants to be anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal)
- Difficult Labor: Goldenrod was used by Native Americans
- Fermentation in Gut (SIBO): The antimicrobial action of Goldenseal is responsible for its help in balancing the gut microbiome.
- Jaundice: Decoctions/teas of one species of Goldenrod have been used by Native Americans to treat jaundice. [1]
- Upper Respiratory Catarrh: The quercitin and astragalin both contibute to this herb’s respiratory affiities.
- Cancer: True story, even PubMed says so. (See source) [2]
Sources
[1] Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest by Matthew Ales
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29853868/
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/carotenoids#benefits
