Solidago virga-aurea – European goldenrod, woundwort
Asteraceae, formerly Compositae – Aster family, formerly composite
The part used in medicine is the European goldenrod herb – Solidaginis virgaureae herba, harvested at the start of blooming and dried in natural conditions in max. 40° C.
European goldenrod – effects and use:
A perennial found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa; in Poland it is a common weed growing in dry bushes, in glades and dry forest fellings, in roadsides, dry meadows and grasslands. The stem grows up to 100 cm, erect, slightly pubescent or base. Hollow inside, red coloration on the outside. The leaves are basal, ovate or elliptic, narrowing towards the stem in a winged petiole, the edges are crenate. In the middle of the stem, the leaves have petioles, and in the upper stem they are leafless and lanceolate with an acute tip. The flower heads are 5 mm in diameter, yellow in color, made up of outer rays and inner tubular flowers, combined into terminal, erect panicles or complex clusters. Blooms from July to Septmeber. The fruit is an achene with pappus, wind-dispersed. In the first year of vegetation, only a leaf rosette grows out of the rhizome.
European goldenrod – effects and use:
The raw material contains quercetin-, kaempferol- and isorhamnetin-derived flavonoids, triterpene saponins, diterpene compounds, tannins, essential oil, leiocarposide (phenolic glycoside; a diuretic) and polysaccharides with fructan characteristics.
European goldenrod acts as:
– a diuretic
– an astringent
– anti-inflammatory.
Internally for:
– Urinary tract inflammation
– Nephrolithiasis
– Gout
– Aiding in rheumatic diseases
– Hypertension.
Externally for:
– Stubborn wounds and skin ulcers
– Inflammation of the mouth and throat.
PL