|
|
 | Goldenrod Other Names: Verge d'Or. Solidago. Goldruthe. Woundwort. Aaron's Rod
Botanical Name: Solidago virgaurea
Family: N.O. Compositae |
Description: |
The generic name comes from solidare, for the plant is known as a vulnerary, or one that 'makes whole.' It grows from 2 to 3 feet in height, with alternate leaves, of a clear green, and terminal panicles of golden flowers, both ray and disk. It is the only one (of over eighty species) native to Great Britain.
The leaves and flowers yield a yellow dye.
When bruised, the herb smells like Wild Carrot. |
Habitat: |
| Europe, including Britain. Central Asia. North America. |
Constituents: |
| The plant contains tannin, with some bitter and astringent principles. |
Medicinal Usage: |
Aromatic, stimulant, carminative. Golden Rod is an ingredient in the Swiss Vulnerary, faltrank. It is astringent and diuretic and efficacious for stone in the bladder. It is recorded that in 1788 a boy of ten, after taking the infusion for some months, passed quantities of gravel, fifteen large stones weighing up to 1 1/4 OZ., and fifty over the size of a pea. It allays sickness due to weak digestion.
In powder it is used for cicatrization of old ulcers. It has been recommended in many maladies, as it is a good diaphoretic in warm infusion, and is in this form also helpful in dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea. As a spray and given internally, it is of great value in diphtheria. |
Ancient Lore: |
GOLDEN ROD SOLIDAGO VIRGAUREA
Long famous against inward hurts and bruises.
A handsome perennial plant, Golden Rod is about two feet (60 cm) high with numerous small golden yellow flowers.
Where to find it: In woodland and heathland. Flowering time: Mid to late summer.
Astrology: Venus rules this herb.
Medicinal virtues: A balsarnic, vulnerary herb, most effectively used as a distilled water. In this form it is also an excellent diuretic and few remedies exceed it where there is gravel, stone in the reins and kidneys, or strangury. When small stones cause bloody or purulent urine, its balsamic healing virtues co-operate with its diuretic quality so that the parts are cleansed and healed at the same time.
It is a sovereign wound-herb, inferior to none, both for inward and outward use. It is good to stay the immoderate flux of women's courses, the bloody flux, ruptures and mouth and throat ulcers. As a lotion it is used to wash the privy parts in venereal cases. No preparation is better than a tea of the herb made from the young leaves, fresh or dried.
Modern uses: An infusion of the leaves is taken as a treatment for excessive menstruation, arthritis and eczema. An aromatic herb, the warm infusion is also carminative and will remove feelings of nausea due to stomach disorder. The powder of the dried leaves can be applied to ulcers externally to stimulate healing. The tincture is available from medical herbalists. Smallish doses are taken. |
|
|