botanical name(s): Solidago virgaurea
synonyms: goldenrod, European goldenrod, goldrute, goldwundkraut, solidage, verge d'or
part(s) used: dried aerial parts, collected in July from plants that are not yet flowering
qualities: bitter, cool, dry
affinities: lungs, respiratory mucosa, stomach
actions: anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diaphoretic, carminative, diuretic/diaphoretic, lithotropic, aromatic stimulant, astringent
dosage:
» infusion: 1 oz. herb to one pint water; drink 1 cup three times daily
» powder: 1 - 2 g
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
therapy: gastrointestinal weakness, flatulence, dyspepsia, influenza, colds, upper respiratory catarrh, gastric ulcer, urinary tract stones, urinary tract infection/cystitis, wounds, pharyngitis/laryngitis; adjuvant for asthma, arthritis, rheumatism
» conjunctivitis, especially with yellow discharge (Wood)
» cat allergies--watery, red, burning eyes (Wood)
» hives (Wood)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d
toxicity: 1
» contraindicated in chronic kidney disorders which require a doctor's supervision (Wichtl, De Smet)
» contraindicated in edema from heart failure or kidney insufficiency since its diuretic effect causes mainly water, not salt, to be excreted (Wichtl, De Smet)
constituents: tannin, bitters, astringent, saponins, flavonoids, essential oil
footnotes
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Wood, Matthew. 1992. The Admirable Secrets of Herbs, Roots and Barks: Western Herbal Medicine, A Materia Medica. Unpublished manuscript.