Goldenrod is considered one of the most proven medicinal plants against bladder problems. But it can do more. It is used in folk medicine to treat gout and rheumatism.
- The herb of the goldenrod with its valuable ingredients is used in phytotherapy for cystitis.
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It blooms bright yellow-golden and is therefore called goldenrod. Solidago, the botanical name of the genus, is made up of the Latin words solidus (fixed) and agere (act). Goldenrod grows in Europe and belongs to the daisy family, just like asters or the well-known daisies. In golden phytomedicine the real goldenrod plays (Solidago virgaurea) a role. The Canadian goldenrod, which originally comes from North America, is now also widespread.
At a glance:
Short info goldenrod
Master plants: The following three stem plants are used in modern cystitis therapy: Solidago virgaurea L., Solidago canadensis L. and Solidago gigantea Ait.
History: Goldenrod has been used in the treatment of bladder and kidney diseases, skin disorders and wound healing since the Middle Ages. In the 20th century, systematic investigations of tinctures from goldenrod herb were able to confirm the observations made in empirical medicine.
Ingredients: The ingredients of the goldenrod are essential oil, tannins, bitter substances, saponins and flavonoids.
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Every second woman has it at least once in her life: a bladder infection. Symptoms, intensity and duration can vary
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Pharmaceutical effects: Goldenrod herb drives the body's water excretion, relieves muscle tension, inhibits inflammatory processes and counteracts the multiplication of bacteria in the urinary tract.
Popular names and areas of application: The goldenrod is also commonly known under the names sky burn, golden virgin, curly herb, lapwort or ox bread. It is considered anti-inflammatory and serves as a urological.
Ingredients of goldenrod herb
The real goldenrod grows up to one meter high and grows on barren, dry soils. They bloom from late summer to autumn. The herb of the flowering plant is used for medicinal purposes, using the entire aerial parts of the plant. The following ingredients are of medical importance:
- Tannins
- Saponins
- Bitter substances
- Inulin
- Quercetin
- Rutin / rutoside
- volatile oil
- Caffeic acid compounds
Effects of the goldenrod
The ingredients of the goldenrod work differently:
- astringent
- antibacterial
- blood cleansing
- anti-inflammatory
- diuretic
- antispasmodic
- soothing
In folk medicine, goldenrod herb in the form of tea or capsules is therefore traditionally used against the following diseases and health problems:
It is also being discussed whether the active ingredients of the goldenrod could also slow down cancer cells. However, there are as yet no scientific studies showing that goldenrod herb has an effect against the latter diseases.
In connection with cystitis, urinary stones and kidney semolina, however, there are some studies that indicate a clear benefit of the goldenrod. In these indications, a combination of goldenrod extract with other medicinal plants for the bladder, such as orthosiphon (beard of a cat) and barbed heel, has proven particularly useful.
Are golden tails threatening interactions and side effects?
Goldenrod is usually well tolerated. Heartburn rarely occurs from ingestion. But not everyone should use the medicinal plant without the advice of a doctor. This applies to everyone who has one of the following diseases:
Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should also avoid using the goldenrod for safety. Interactions between goldenrod and certain medications are also known. So you should be careful if you take one of the following drugs and also want to use goldenrod tea or other products with goldenrod:
- Diuretics (dehydrating agents, often part of hypotensive agents)
- Lithium (contained in some medications for depression or mental disorders)
In these cases, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking goldenrod.
The question often arises whether goldenrod is poisonous. If goldenrod is used according to the recommendations, there is no danger. This means that you should always follow the dosage recommendations that are given on the medicinal products and medications such as bladder tea and tablets or capsules with goldenrod.
As a guideline for taking goldenrod, the daily dose should never exceed 1,600 milligrams of dry extract or twelve grams of goldenrod herb. Overdoses can strain the kidneys and affect the body's water balance. For this reason, it is also crucial when using goldenrod to drink a lot during this time. Otherwise the kidneys will also be strained.
Prepare goldenrod tea
Treatment with ready-to-use medicinal products, such as tablets with goldenrod, is very simple. In contrast to traditional preparations or teas, herbal medicines for bladder problems use extracts from goldenrod herb, which contain the valuable ingredients at a higher concentration than the herb.
You can also collect goldenrod herb for a bubble tea yourself. It is best to cut intact leaves, a few stems and flowers in late summer during flowering and hang them up to dry. From this you can make a tea that helps with bladder problems by helping to flush the urinary tract:
- Put a teaspoon of dried goldenrod herb in 150 milliliters of cold water. Heat the whole thing until the boiling point is reached. Remove from the stove and let steep for five minutes, then strain. Drink a cup three times a day and do not skimp on additional liquids such as juice or water.
