Goldenrod
Solidago virgaurea
Herbs & Roots. Western & European and Native American.
Also called European goldenrod, Woundwort
Spanish: Vara de oro
Ragweed-family allergy riskA yellow-flowered herb used as a tea for urinary complaints and as a mild anti-inflammatory.
Did you know? Goldenrod is often blamed for hay fever, but its heavy, insect-carried pollen is not the main cause; ragweed, which blooms at the same time, is.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used as a diuretic tea for bladder and urinary complaints. Mostly tradition and animal studies, with few human trials.Traditional proof
- Inflammation. Used on sore joints and skin. Lab studies show anti-inflammatory action, but human trials are lacking.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
European herbalists used goldenrod tea for kidney and bladder complaints and as a wash for wounds.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Tea is made from dried flowering tops. No standard dose has been set.
Tea and tincture.
Where to get it
Goldenrod grows wild in meadows and woods across Europe and Asia, and some related species grow in North America. Dried herb, tea, and tinctures are sold, so check the species name on the label.
Be careful
People allergic to ragweed, daisies, or chrysanthemums can react to goldenrod, since they are in the same plant family. The diuretic effect may lower potassium. Avoid it in pregnancy, where data are lacking.
Avoid if: ragweed allergy; pregnancy; kidney disease.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are urinary tea herbs used together in traditional blends.
- Works well together
A common partner in mild urinary diuretic teas.
- Use cautionWater pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
The diuretic action adds to water pill effects and can lower potassium.
The honest take
Goldenrod is a folk tea for urinary complaints, with little human testing. The hay fever myth is false, and ragweed is the real culprit. Use the tea with care if you have allergies.