Goldenrod - Autumn's Herbal Gold

This bright medicinal is a plant-lovers dream: it's a premier ally for seasonal allergies, colds, flu and urinary tract infections - a seasonal dye plant - a pollinator mecca - and a tasty culinary and beverage herb.

Flowering in late summer from July through September, Goldenrod lights up meadows, fields, open woods and trail-sides with its refreshing blend of ruggedness and jubilation. Grown as a garden flower and medicinal with around 120 different species, its flowers attract native pollinators and beneficial insects. Its piney-tasting leaves and flower heads, have been an important medicinal remedy for the urinary, digestive, and respiratory systems, for centuries.

The scientific name for Goldenrod is Solidago, meaning ‘to make whole’, it is in the aster family and can also be known as woundwort, goldruthe and Aaron’s rod. In Europe the species, Solidago virgaurea, was an important folk remedy, worked with topically as a wound medicine, since its astringent quality helps to close wounds and prevent infection. The herb was also effective for diseases of the lower urinary tract, including infections, inflammations and urinary, or kidney stones. The Europeans took advantage of its astringent qualities internally in cases of diarrhea, cough, chronic catarrh of the lungs, tuberculosis, diabetes, enlargement of the liver, gout, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, asthmas and arthritis. It was also a mouth rinse to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat, as well as gum ulcerations.

The North American versions, Solidago canadensis and Solidago odora, have similar medicinal properties to the European version, as well as providing relief for general cases of flu, cough and respiratory problems such as asthma, or poor urine production. Its astringent qualities were also utilized for various ulcers and bleeding from the lungs or mouth and was applied topically for sprains and strains with edema. The S. odora is a sweeter smelling version for flatulence, colic, fevers, flu, tuberculosis, amenorrhea and neuralgia. The tea of this sweet Goldenrod species is fairly pleasant so it was often combined with less amiable herbs, or was taken alone as a digestive stimulant. Externally it was applied to open wounds, rheumatism, headaches and neuralgia. The root was applied topically for burns and is a much more powerful diuretic than the upper part of the plant.

Goldenrod has often gotten a bad rap over the years for being the culprit of many itchy eyes and runny noses. However, while the real culprit is a fellow Asteraceae family member called ragweed, Goldenrod is actually an ally to battle those same symptoms for which it is being blamed. Today Goldenrod is also worked with in cases of itchy, watery burning eyes with an itchy, drippy nose that often arise with allergies, including those to cats. It does seem to have a general affinity for the upper respiratory tract, where it helps alleviate infections and inflammation.

Although any species of Goldenrod can be employed medicinally, aroma, taste, and medicinal qualities vary between species. The overarching applications are similar, but it’s up to you to discover their individual nuances and develop a personal relationship with the species you grow or forage. Some species are more pleasant as a beverage tea, and some are more astringent. The latter group will be more serviceable internally to slow diarrhea and topically to disinfect, relieve burns, and slow bleeding.

Goldenrod as a Sinus Remedy: Goldenrod is a premier decongestant, effectively alleviating upper respiratory congestion stemming from allergies, sinusitis, flu, or the common cold. It can be taken as a tea, syrup, or tincture for this purpose. It is one of the strongest herbs for drying the sinuses. Combine Goldenrod with Sage (Salvia officinalis), in a strong infusion for a gargle that can alleviate sore throats, thrush, and laryngitis.

Goldenrod as Urinary Tract Remedy: Goldenrod also has an affinity for the urinary tract and is a diuretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory as a remedy for urinary tract infections. The diuretic quality of Goldenrod may also help to relieve edema, gout, and kidney stones.

Goldenrod as a Wound Remedy: Goldenrod as a wash or poultice helps to heal wounds, burns, open sores, cuts and thrush. Decoction of the herb has helped to “fasten the teeth that are loose in the gums” and as a toothache remedy.

Goldenrod as a Digestive Remedy: Internally, many species of Goldenrod have helped to quell diarrhea—likely because of their tannins and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. Solidago species are typically bitter, warming, and pungent, which makes them useful carminative herbs for stimulating and improving digestion.

Goldenrod Identification: Crush a Goldenrod leaf when the plant is in bloom to familiarize yourself with its unique aroma.

Some varieties are more bitter, others more astringent, and some specialize in resinous flavors. Sweet goldenrod (S. odora) possesses honeyed hints of anise or licorice and is a prized beverage tea. Any Goldenrod species can be worked with medicinally, and identification to the species level is not essential.

However, correct identification to the Goldenrod genus is crucial as there are yellow-flowered aster family members that are deadly toxic, including ragwort and groundsel—a local field guide is indispensable for identifying the species found in your area, or grow it in your garden to ensure you have access to harvesting your own organic variety. They are so easy to grow, with a diversity of species to choose from and native habitats ranging from bog, to alpine meadow, to maritime dunes, you can be sure to find one that will thrive in most any niche.

Goldenrod is a mainstay in meadow gardens and is especially delightful when grown next to either, purple-blooming ironweed (Vernonia spp.), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), or Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum and E. maculatum). For massing, consider planting fast-spreading species, such as rough-stemmed goldenrod (S. rugosa), showy goldenrod (S. speciosa), tall goldenrod (S. altissima), and Canadian goldenrod (S. canadensis). If your garden space is limited, try one of the more demure clumping species, such as sweet goldenrod (S. odora) or any of the varieties described below. In a trial of goldenrod species conducted by the Chicago Botanic Gardens, S. rugosa ‘Fireworks’ was a choice cultivar, with its resistance to powdery mildew, slowly spreading habit, and explosive display of golden panicles. Other leaders include the hybrids ‘Baby Sun’ and ‘Goldkind,’ both with tight-clumping habits and generous floral displays. S. sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’ is a late-flowering variety with heart-shaped leaves. Finally, for the partial shade garden, consider the variegated S. flexicaulis ‘Variegata,’ which is a modestly spreading species rather than a clumping one.

Goldenrod flowers in the late summer to early fall, at a time when most gardens could really use some perkiness. Spend just a few moments observing the pollinators flocking to the golden sprays, and you will appreciate how important a role it plays in sustaining local insect populations. Goldenrod supports over one hundred species of caterpillars, making it a useful plant for calling in local butterfly populations. It also attracts garden beneficials, such as praying mantises, ladybugs, assassin bugs, damsel bugs, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps. The nectar is popular with many butterflies, including monarchs.

Harvesting: Harvest plants with healthy-looking leaves—that haven’t been affected by powdery mildew or other diseases—when they’re just beginning to flower. Harvesting at the beginning of flowering ensures that your dried blooms retain their yellow hue. If you harvest the plants in full bloom, the flowers will mature into their fluffy seed heads as they dry, and you’ll be left with dull puffs instead of golden floral cheer! For goldenrod species that have several stems, I like to leave half the stems intact—for the pollinators and for the plants to continue to photosynthesize. For species that have just one stem, I prefer to cut the stem halfway down, leaving some vegetation to photosynthesize for the remainder of the season. You’ll want to make sure that the species you’re harvesting is abundant, and be sure to leave the majority of plants in one area untouched. If you’re harvesting non-native goldenrod, these same cautions do not necessarily apply. Hang the plants to dry, and strip the leaves and flowers from the stem when they are crisp.

Once dried you can store them in a cool dark place for up to one year, crush the dried plant material as needed for home remedies, or infuse into honey to make a soothing syrup.

Goldenrod Tea

The tea is often used to flush out kidney stones or for mild bladder infections. As it’s a diuretic take care not to take it too close to bedtime. If you’re on a diuretic already, have kidney problems, are on blood pressure medicine, or have any health concerns or questions, check with a doctor before using goldenrod internally.

Goldenrod Tea Recipe

2 tablespoons of fresh flowers per 1 cup of water.

If using dried flowers, use half as much (1 tablespoon per 1 cup of water).

Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes before straining.

Sweeten with honey, if desired.

Goldenrod-Infused Oil/Honey/Tincture

Fill a jar 3/4 of the way with dried goldenrod flowers. Pour an oil (such as sunflower, sweet almond, or olive), or use honey if making a syrup, or alcohol if making a tincture, over the flowers until the jar is full. Both the honey or alcohol method would follow the below ‘slow way’, but for the oil you can infuse with either the slow, solar, or speedy way.

Slow way – Cap the jar and tuck it into a dark cabinet for 6 weeks, shake every day for one week, then once a week for the last five weeks. Strain.

Solar way for oil – Don’t cap the jar, but cover it with a piece of cheesecloth or scrap of old t-shirt instead. Set the jar in a sunny window for several days (or a few weeks). The heat from the sun will help the oil infuse faster.

Speedy way for oil – Don’t cover the jar, but instead set it down into a slow cooker containing a few inches of water. Set the slower cooker to warm and leave for two days, or do this in a sauce pan over a low burner and heat for around 2 to 3 hours, watching the oil carefully. You can then strain the oil and use right away, or let the oil continue infusing for another few days before straining.

Goldenrod Salve

Goldenrod oil and salve are used to rub over muscle aches and pains, and can also be used as an all-purpose healing salve for things like scraped elbows, chapped lips, or minor scratches.

Ingredients:

3.5 oz (100 g) goldenrod-infused oil

0.5 oz (14 g) beeswax

Instructions:

Place the oil and beeswax in a canning jar or heat-proof container.

Set the jar down into a saucepan containing a few inches of water, forming a makeshift double boiler.

Place the pan over medium-low heat until the beeswax is melted.

If you used a small canning jar for melting, you can use it for storing the salve as well.

This recipe will fill three 2 fl oz tins.

If you’d like to make this by volume, the beeswax converts to roughly 1.5 tablespoons (grated or pastilles, packed very tightly in the spoon) and the oil measures out to be approximately 1/2 cup.