Golden Rod

(Solidago virgaurea L., Compositae)

Also Called: Solidago.

Description: Handsome perennial plant, 20-100cm (8-40 in) high, with knotty rhizome and round erect stems that
branch only in the floral region.
Leaves alternate, with or without petiole, ovate or elliptical, margin broadly dentate or entire, pubescent.
Capitula 9-15mm (0.3-0.6in) broad, arranged in terminal panicles; each head having 5-10 bright yellow, ligulate florets and, in the centre, 10-20 small tubular florets.
Flowering: July-October.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection: In woods and clearings, grassland, hedge banks, cliffs and dunes throughout Europe.
Common in Britain (but rare in the south-east) on acid or calcareous soils.
Collected when in flower and dried in the shade at less than 40° C (104° F).

Constituents and Action: Volatile oil, tannin, saponins.
Is mildly diuretic, antidiarroeal, anti-inflammatory; it aids wound healing.

Usage: Internally as a tisane (pour 1 litre (1.75pt) of cold water on 1-2 tablespoonfuls of drug, boil for 2 minutes and allow to stand) for retention of urine and inflammation of the urinary tract (kidneys and bladder), for rheumatism and as an antidiarroeal (rare).
Externally the tisane is successfully used as a lotion or in compresses for wound healing.