Unlock the Wonders of Goldenrod: Nature’s Golden Healer.
(Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod
Goldenrod often gets a bad rap for causing allergies, but this beautiful yellow flower doesn’t deserve the blame!
As part of the daisy family it’s an herbal powerhouse that can bring so much value into your herbal medicine cabinet and garden.
Goldenrod grows everywhere around here—you’ll spot it filling up fields and even along roadsides. There’s over 100 varieties of it in North America, each one offering slightly different benefits.
Some might lean more toward astringent qualities, while others are loaded with antioxidants, but no matter the type, they all have their own uses—and they’re just lovely to look at.
Energetics
Goldenrod’s energetics can really depend on the variety.
Some types have a warming effect, while others feel a bit cooler. It’s one of those plants that can swing either way, so the best way to figure out what goldenrod near you does is to give it a try and see if it makes you feel warmer or cooler.
No matter the variety, though, they all share one thing: they’re pretty drying. And that drying quality can be super helpful in a bunch of ways.
Properties and actions
Goldenrod is packed with antioxidants, making it a great ally against oxidative stress and free radicals—the same troublemakers behind things like premature aging and chronic diseases.
Robert Dale Rogers, a well-known herbalist, has an interesting take on goldenrod. He claims it has seven times the antioxidants of green tea and jokes that one day someone’s going to make a fortune selling goldenrod tea!
Goldenrod is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great choice for soothing inflammation-related issues like arthritis, muscle pain, and joint discomfort. If you’re looking for relief, try using an infused goldenrod oil—you can easily make your own! Here’s a simple guide on how to do it.
Just rub the oil into the affected area and see how it feels. Some herbalists even say goldenrod is the answer for those stubborn aches and pains that nothing else seems to touch.
Urinary Tract Health
Goldenrod has a long history of being used to support urinary tract health. Thanks to its diuretic properties, it helps flush out toxins from the kidneys and bladder, promoting overall kidney health and reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
It’s also known as a trophorestorative for the kidneys, meaning it helps restore balance and function to them over time.
On top of that, goldenrod’s astringent and antiseptic qualities make it a solid option for dealing with urinary tract infections too.
Allergy Relief
Despite what a lot of people think, goldenrod isn’t the bad guy behind hay fever or allergies. The real culprit? Ragweed, which happens to bloom at the same time.
Unlike ragweed, goldenrod is pollinated by insects, not the wind. Its pollen is heavy and sticky, so it’s not floating around causing allergy flare-ups.
In fact, goldenrod actually has a special connection to the upper respiratory tract. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can be super helpful for soothing nasal and respiratory issues that come with allergies. Plus, its astringent qualities can help with those annoying leaky sinuses.
Some people even find goldenrod helpful when dealing with allergies to cat dander!
Wound Healing
Goldenrod has a history of being used topically to speed up wound healing. Its name Solidago actually means “to make whole” and it’s been called “woundwort” for good reason.
With compounds like saponins and tannins, goldenrod can help cleanse wounds, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair. It’s great as a wash for cleaning a wound or even as a poultice.
Native Americans used to boil the leaves and apply them externally as an antiseptic for healing wounds and treating skin conditions like eczema and arthritis. They even took it internally for issues like ulcers, and problems with the lungs and kidneys. Some tribes had a special name for their goldenrod mixtures—”sun medicine.”
The pioneers also found plenty of uses for goldenrod. One popular remedy was using it as a salve to ease the pain of bee stings, among other things.
Digestive Health
Goldenrod has a long tradition of being used as a digestive aid.
As an aromatic carminative, it helps soothe digestive discomfort, ease gas, and relieve indigestion.
That slight bitterness also works to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, giving your digestion a little boost when needed.
Antimicrobial Properties
Research suggests that goldenrod may have some pretty impressive antimicrobial properties, helping to fight off various bacterial and fungal infections.
These qualities make it especially useful for things like fungal issues and urinary tract infections.
And with its astringent properties, goldenrod can also be a great go-to for sore throat relief. It helps reduce swelling and can even prevent bacterial infections from settling in.
Cold & flu symptoms
Goldenrod is a fantastic diaphoretic, which means it helps open your pores and release heat when you have a fever. It won’t stop the fever, but it can help your body use the fever more efficiently to do its job.
Combined with its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, goldenrod can help ease your symptoms and prevent secondary issues that sometimes come with colds or the flu.
Preparation and Use
Goldenrod makes a surprisingly tasty tea, and it’s also great for masking the flavors of other, less pleasant-tasting herbs in a blend. To make the tea, use about 1-2 teaspoons of the herb to 8 ounces of water, and steep it for 5 to 10 minutes.
If you’re looking for those carminative effects I mentioned earlier, just steep the tea a bit longer. And for wound care or skincare, make a stronger tea to use as a wash.
The flowers are actually edible, too! You can make fritters with them, just like you would with dandelion or elderflowers—dip them in batter and fry them up.
For sore joints and muscles, infuse the flowers and leaves in oil and massage it into the area. You can even take that infused oil and turn it into a salve for bee stings or bug bites.
Want the best diuretic benefits? Drink goldenrod tea cold. If you’re looking for diaphoretic effects to help with a fever, drink it hot.
You can also make a goldenrod-infused honey, which is perfect for soothing sore throats.
Lastly, chop up the whole plant to make a tincture. This is my favorite way to use goldenrod for allergy relief.
Goldenrod’s Lore
Goldenrod has its fair share of legends, many tying it to wealth and good fortune. One tale claims that wherever goldenrod grows, gold 🪙 is buried nearby. Another says that if you find goldenrod growing near your home, it’s a sign of good luck.
It’s also connected to water. According to folklore, if you see goldenrod, a spring must be close. People have even used goldenrod as a divining rod to find water, though it’s said it only works in the hands of the right person.
There’s also a charming story about how goldenrod got its beautiful yellow flowers. It’s about an old woman traveling through the forest, who grew tired and asked the trees for a walking stick, but they all refused. Eventually, she found a small stick on the ground and asked it for help. The stick agreed, and she used it until she was out of the woods. Once she stepped beyond the trees, the woman revealed herself as a fairy and, in gratitude for the stick’s help, she sprinkled it with gold.✨
Final thoughts on Goldenrod
If you head out to pick goldenrod flowers, don’t be surprised if you run into the goldenrod spider. She’s fascinating—changing color to blend in with the flower she’s on, whether it’s white or yellow. She’s also a fierce little hunter, often catching bugs much bigger than she is.
I’ve come across her almost every time I’ve gone out looking for goldenrod. But don’t worry—if you leave her be, she’ll do the same for you.
Some people may have a mild reaction to goldenrod, so it’s always smart to try a small amount first to see how your body responds.
Also, keep in mind that there are a few plants that look like goldenrod, so it’s important to make sure you know exactly what you’re picking. Always double-check with a regional field guide if you’re unsure.
And don’t forget to be mindful of how much you harvest—leave enough so goldenrod can thrive and come back strong next year.
It’s such a beautiful flower, and I always look forward to its bloom each year. They tend to grow in large clusters, turning whole fields into a sea of golden yellow. It’s pure beauty.
But goldenrod isn’t just a beautiful flower; it’s a powerhouse of health benefits! From easing digestive troubles and supporting urinary health to helping wounds heal and tackling allergies, this versatile herb has so much to offer. Plus, with its rich stories and uses, it’ a wonderful treasure that’s definitely worth getting to know.
I hope you enjoy goldenrod as much as I do. If you’ve ever used it before or plan to try it out, I’d love to hear about it!
