The Uses and Benefits of Goldenrod in Natural Medicine
Goldenrod (solidago canadensis) is a cheerful plant, with beautiful tall spires of golden yellow blooms that remind us we have long days and hot weather surrounding us. It grows all over the world, and most species are medicinal in some respect or another. This brings the benefits of goldenrod right to you, wherever you live!
History of Goldenrod
Looking at Goldenrod’s history, the Chippewa tribe chewed the dried roots to relieve sore throats and made a decoction to treat lung problems. The Zuni tribe did something similar, but they crushed the blossoms instead.
Also referred to as blue mountain tea, goldenrod is a wonderful astringent and has a history dating back hundreds of years by the Thompson and Okanagan tribes (and others) to treat diarrhea. Something to think about during cold and flu season if you have the runs!
Benefits of Goldenrod for the Body
Goldenrod has many amazing benefits for the body, including:
- Anti-catarrhal: Eliminates mucus conditions
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the body
- Astringent: Has a constricting or binding effect (helps relieve diarrhea, for example)
- Carminative: Relieves intestinal gas pain and distension; promotes peristalsis
- Diaphoretic: Causes perspiration and increases the elimination through the skin
- Diuretic: Increases the secretion and flow of urine
- Expectorant: Encourages the loosening and removal of phlegm from the respiratory tract
- Nephritic: Supports the kidneys, glomeruli, tubules, and interstitial tissue during times of inflammation
Over the years I have used Goldenrod for a variety of conditions:
- To provide relief from seasonal allergies and to prevent swelling in the sinuses
- For respiratory conditions that have difficult expectoration (like bronchial asthma)
- To strengthen the kidneys
- For the E. Coli bacteria that is the main cause of UTIs, and in some cases to prevent/heal yeast infections
- For breaking up kidney stones BEFORE they become a problem (great in a tincture blend for this)
- During cold and flu season
- To open the pores and release heat through the skin, therefore supporting a person during a fever
Goldenrod is not recommended with edema from renal or cardiac failure.
Bring the Benefits of Goldenrod Into Your Life
With antioxidant levels higher than those of green tea, this amazing plant is good to make teas from for conditions that require liquids to pass through the kidneys (UTIs and kidney stones are good examples of this). I have several products that will give you all the amazing benefits of goldenrod:
Sinus Tonic: This great little tonic has been known to help provide relief from symptoms commonly associated with sinusitis, rhinitis, and congestion from allergies. Get it here.
Allergy Relief Tonic: This blend of herbs helps provide relief from symptoms commonly associated with sinusitis, hay fever, and allergies. Get it here before allergy season really kicks in!
Kidney Clearing Tea: Rich in nutrients the kidneys need and love! This wonderful antimicrobial tea blend is soothing, calming, and healing to the kidneys and urinary tract. Get some here. [Note: For more diuretic properties (think water pills), drink the tea cold, and for more diaphoretic properties (sweating) and to promote digestion, drink the tea warm.]
You can also get the amazing uses of goldenrod through a custom formulation! Contact me to get a blend that works best for your unique health needs.
Cautions with Goldenrod
While goldenrod is a wonderful herb, don’t get crazy with it, or really any herb. Our diets play a huge role in our health and should be our starting point. Think nutrient density, fiber, water, and physical exercise.
Each of us has a different story, so our current health depends on the person and the situation. If you have a lot of health issues, ask your ND, Herbalist, or practitioner about using goldenrod, or other herbs you are unsure of. They will be able to guide you in this. Or, remember, you can always set up a consultation with me here!
*For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. (Because why would we want to do that?)