Goldenrod
(Solidago canadensis)
Other Names:
N/A
Range:
Family:
Asteraceae – The Aster or Daisy or Composite Family
Growth Type:
An herbaceous perennial plant
Height:
1 - 5 feet tall.
Leaves:
Multiple lance shaped, three veined, and serrated leaves
Stem/Trunk:
Single erect stem is smooth at base, but becomes hairy just below the flower branches.
Root:
Taproot/Tuber
Flower Season:
Late spring to early summer
Flower Appearance:
The yellow flowers are borne in broad triangular shaped panicle. The flowers persist well into autumn.
Seed/Fruit:
Small hard Seeds
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Roadsides, Clearings, Thickets
Parts Used:
Flower Heads, Leaves, Roots, Seeds
Culinary Uses:
The leaves can be eaten as a cooked vegetable. The flowers and seeds can both be eaten raw.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Native Americans use(d) the root for burns. Use a tea or tincture of the flowers for fevers and snake bites, sore throats. The flowers contain a compound known as Quercetin, which is useful in treating hemorrhagic nephritis. Teas and tinctures made from the leaves have a diuretic effect. In Germany, leaf extracts are approved as a diuretic in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract. Also used in irrigation therapy to both prevent and treat urinary and kidney gravel. Caution: said to cause allergic reactions, but this has been shown to be a reaction to ragweed pollen, as the pollen of goldenrod is too heavy to be dispersed through the air. I mix a 1:1:1 formulary of Goldenrod, Oxeye Daisy, and Stinging Nettle, tinctures as means of treating seasonal allergies. When started a couple of weeks prior to allergy season, I have had very good results staving off the effects of wet seasonal allergies.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Herbal Preparations For Solidago canadensis
Tea
Part Used: Leaves and flowers
Plant State: fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped leaves, or 1 tsp of dried leaves in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: Drink a mug as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Leaves and flowers
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped plant material into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar and place it in a sunny location. Let it sit for 8 to 10 hours and then strain to remove sediment. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 1-3 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Leaves and flowers
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 10-40 drops up to 3 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Leaves and flowers
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the jar and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 10-40 drops up to 3 times daily
Goldenrod
