Facts about Canadian goldenrod

Sylvia

6 years ago

Canadian goldenrod Quick Facts
Name:	Canadian goldenrod
Scientific Name:	Solidago canadensis
Origin	Northeastern and north-central North America
Shapes	Achenes are pubescent, 0.9-1.2 mm long, with a pappus of 2.0-2.5 mm
Taste	Astringent, bitter, sweet
Health benefits	Prevent the onset of asthma, Help break fevers, Get rid of fungal infection, mouth inflammations, Beneficial for a sore throat, Improve the health of your urinary tract

Solidago canadensis commonly known as Canadian goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae (Aster family) native to northeastern and north-central North America but established as an invasive plant in many other regions. Some other popular common names of the herb are Canada Goldenrod, Giant Goldenrod, Tall Goldenrod, common goldenrod, Shorthair goldenrod, Harger’s goldenrod and Rough Canada goldenrod. The herb can be found in a variety of habitats, although it is not shade tolerant. It typically is one of the first plants to colonize an area after disturbance and rarely continues once shrubs and trees become established. It is found neither in very dry locations nor in waterlogged ones.

Scientific name of goldenrod, “solidago”, originates from Latin word “solidare” which means “to make whole”. Name refers to the fact that goldenrod has excellent potential to heal the wounds. This plant is also known as woundwort. The “canadensis” part of its name comes from the plant being first identified in Canada. Goldenrods are attractive to bees and butterflies. Goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. It is often grown as an ornamental in flower gardens.

Plant Description

Canadian goldenrod is an erect, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial plant that grows about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. The plant is found growing in disturbed areas of moist to dry prairies, openings in floodplain and upland forests, infrequently grazed pastures, thickets, savannas, tall grass prairies, limestone glades, and gravel seeps. In more developed areas, it occurs in cultivated and abandoned fields, vacant lots, power-line clearance areas, and along fences, roadsides, and railroads. It can tolerate a fairly wide range of soil fertility and texture conditions, but is typically found in fairly moist soils. It is not found on waterlogged sites and is found only rarely on very dry sites. The plant’s extensive root system is very deep and fibrous with 2- to 5-inch-long rhizomes (horizontal underground stems) emerging at the base of aerial stems. . The rhizome is cylindrical, noded, diagonally ascending and short. Stem is erect, cane-like, leafy, mostly unbranched, slender, hairless in the lower half, and have small soft hairs in upper half below the flowers. They are usually red tinged beneath, and glabrous to loosely appressed pubescent higher up.

Leaves

Leaves are alternate along the stem and lance shaped with sharp teeth around the edge. They are hairless on the upper surface, and hairy beneath especially on the veins. Leaves are described as being 3-nerved, meaning the midrib and 2 parallel lateral veins are prominent. Basal leaves form but falls off early leaving only stem leaves that are all nearly the same size. Leaves lack stalks, so bases attach directly to the stem.

Flower & Fruit

Flower heads form in dense, elongated, pyramid-shaped clusters. Each flower head consists of 9 to 17 yellow ray flowers surrounding fewer than 10 yellow disk flowers. Flower heads are less that 1/8-inch wide. The ray florets are narrow, lingual and female. The disc florets are funnel-shaped, 5- tipped and androgynous. The fruit is an achene, which is cylindrical with numerous ribs. It is brown, sparsely pubescent and 3.5 to 4.5 mm long with a tuft of hair which facilitate wind-induced dispersal of seed. The herb is sometimes browsed by deer and is good to fair as food for domestic livestock such as cattle or horses.

Canadian goldenrod Image Gallery

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Health benefits of Canadian Goldenrod

The herb is valued in treating various urinary tract disorders and used both for such serious ailments as nephritis or for such common complaints as cystitis. It has also reputedly been used to break down and flush out kidney and bladder stones. Here are some of the benefits that you can expect to receive when you take Canadian Golden Rod:

1. Loaded with antioxidants

There are a lot of things that our body needs but does not get. What we place inside our bodies instead are toxins that can cause a wide variety of diseases. Toxins are known to cause different problems throughout the body. To get rid of them competently, there is a need to take in antioxidants. Antioxidants can be found in Canadian goldenrod so taking it can successfully remove the toxins in your body that may cause various forms of diseases.

2. Improve the health of your urinary tract

Regular intake of Canadian goldenrod can effectively get rid of different toxins that may get stuck in the urinary tract and helps to decreases the chances of UTI to appear again. People who normally get UTI may want to consider including Canadian goldenrod as a part of their diet if they want to improve the health of their urinary tract.

3. Antidote for certain types of allergies

As mentioned earlier Canadian goldenrod has been accused of causing certain types of allergies, but on the contrary, it can be the antidote for certain types of allergies. The normal symptoms of allergies include having a stuffy nose, runny eyes and sneezing. These symptoms can be very uncomfortable and can periodically make you feel weaker. If you are suffering from rag weed allergies, taking goldenrod in tea form can be highly effective.

4. Beneficial for a sore throat

Goldenrod can be a good choice for you if you are suffering from sore throat. It will competently get rid of the mucous that has been stuck in the lungs. This is because of the antiseptic and the antimicrobial properties of this herb. If you do not particularly like the taste of Canadian goldenrod, you can mix it a bit with honey to make it easier to drink.

5. Get rid of mouth inflammations

Whether you have canker sores or you have different oral health problems that are related to inflammation, you can get rid of these issues by gargling with goldenrod essential oil. It has useful anti-inflammatory properties that can be used as a treatment for you oral health problems.

6. Get rid of fungal infection

Canadian Goldenrod consists of saponins which can be useful in getting rid of certain types of fungal infection. If you are suffering from Candida, you can just take goldenrod in different forms. Some are saying that they can take goldenrod in fried form, but everything fried may not be that good for the body. People who have tried this, however, have stated that Canadian goldenrod rather tastes good when fried.

7. Help break fevers

If there is one thing that can make you feel uncomfortable, it has a fever. When you think about it, this is the body’s way of telling you that it is trying to fight some kind of infection in your body. If you would like to feel more comfortable faster, taking goldenrod in tea form can be the answer. Canadian goldenrod has a diaphoretic property which makes the pores of the skin open to make releasing sweat easier to do.

8. Flush out the system

Canadian goldenrod can act as a diuretic which means that it will help increase the amount of urine and salt that will be released by the body. By doing this, the kidney and the bladder will be rid of toxins, so the possibility of acquiring kidney stones will lessen considerably. There are also other organisms that may get stuck in the kidneys and bladder as well. The use of Canadian goldenrod can help get rid of these organisms.

9. Prevent the onset of asthma

One of the reasons why people suffer from asthma is because of their exposure to certain types of allergies. If you are allergic to ragweed and you know that this can eventually lead to asthma, take Canadian goldenrod in tea form immediately. It may also be available in tincture form and solid form.

Traditional uses and benefits of Canadian Goldenrod

Root is applied as a poultice to burns.
An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic.
Blossoms are analgesic, astringent and febrifuge.
They have been chewed and the juice slowly swallowed to treat sore throats.
Tea made from the flowers is used in the treatment of diarrhea, body pains, fevers and snakebites.
Plant contains quercitin, a compound that is supposedly useful in the treatment of hemorrhagic nephritis.
It is a valuable astringent remedy treating wounds and bleeding, whilst it is particularly useful in the treatment of urinary tract disorders, being used both for serious ailments such as nephritis and for more common problems such as cystitis.
Plant contains saponins that are antifungal and act specifically against the Candida fungus which is the cause of vaginal and oral thrush.
It also contains rutin which is used to treat capillary fragility, and phenolic glycosides which are anti-inflammatory.
Leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, febrifuge and stimulant.
It is a good vulnerary herb; it has also proved of value when used internally in the treatment of urinary infections, chronic catarrh, skin diseases, influenza, whooping cough, bladder and kidney stones etc.
Due to its mild action, goldenrod is used to treat gastro-enteritis in children.
It makes an excellent mouthwash in the treatment of thrush.
Seed is anticoagulant, astringent and carminative.
Homeopathic remedy is made from the plant.
It is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders, rheumatism and arthritis.
It is also proven beneficial for infections of the urinary tract, and kidney and bladder stones.
Chippewa drank a decoction made from the roots to treat lung problems.
Poultices made from the flowers have been used to treat burns and skin ulcers.
Chippewa applied warm compresses made by boiling the stalk or root to treat sprains or strained muscles.
As a douche, it is effective in treating vaginal yeast infections.
Leaves are used to decrease flatulence, promote perspiration, and increase urine production.
Remedies made from the goldenrod herb are also effective in the treatment of chronic sore throats, in alleviating chronic congestion in the nasal passages.
Remedy made from the goldenrod can also be used as a mouthwash or as a douche for the treatment of yeast infections in the vaginal cavity.
Goldenrod is used as a mouth rinse for inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Goldenrod is also applied directly to the skin to improve wound healing.
It is also used in treating influenza and whooping cough, as well as in eliminating kidney stones and many other disorders.
This herb can be recommended to those who suffer from diabetes.
Goldenrod gargling can ease the symptoms of asthma, as well as assist in combating tuberculosis.
Native Americans chewed leaves of goldenrods to alleviate symptoms of toothache.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Canadian goldenrod

Cystorrhea: Prepare a decoction of the root part of Solidago Canadensis. Drink a cup two times a day.
Insect Bites: Make a paste by grinding the flowers of Solidago Canadensis and apply on the affected area.
Diaphoretic: Warm tea prepared from Solidago Canadensis flowers promotes sweating.
Flatulence: Prepare a tea by boiling Solidago Canadensis leaves and flowers. Cool and drink.
Yellow Fever: Prepare a decoction made from roots of Solidago Canadensis. Have two times a day.
Pyelonephritis: Have a cup of tea made from the leaves of Solidago Canadensis daily.
Eyes: Use leaf juice of Solidago Canadensis as an ear drop.
Diarrhea: Make an infusion of Solidago Canadensis bark. Drink 15 ml of it once a day when symptoms persist.
Dysentery: Add 15 g bark powder of Solidago Canadensis in boiled water. Consume 10 ml of it once a day.
Heart Diseases: Make plant decoction of Solidago Canadensis. Drink half cup of it once a day.
Immunity Enhancer: Collect wild thyme leaves 1 tsp, Solidago Canadensis 2 tsp, Dandelion roots 1 tsp. Put all ingredients in 4 cups of water. Heat on a low flame. After 5 to 10 minutes remove from heat. Strain and allow it to become lukewarm. Drink half cup of prepared tonic twice a day. It will strengthen your immunity by increasing your internal energy and resistance power.
Kidney tonic: Take Solidago Canadensis 30 gram, Horsetail 5 gram, Spiny restharrow 10 gram, birch leaves 20 gram. To get its maximum benefits for kidney, it should be used in tincture form. You need 30 ml alcohol for this purpose. Put all herbs in alcohol. Leaves it for 2 to 3 days. After that, strain the preparation. Your tincture has ready to use. Put 10 drops in 20 ml of water and drink. Do this daily. It takes little more time than allopathy medicine but your problem will be cured completely.

Culinary Uses

Young leaves and flowering stems can be cooked & consumed.
Seed can be used as a thickener in soups.
The seed is very small and is only used as a survival food when all else fails.
A tea can be made from the flowers and/or the leaves.

Other Facts

Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.
canadensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe and has been used as a bee plant.
In north-eastern Croatia, it is still valued by beekeepers.
Colorful flowers are rich source of nectar which attracts bees, butterflies and wasps that play important role in the pollination of this plant.
It can be propagated via seed and rhizome sprouts.
Goldenrods are used for the manufacture of dark-colored, delicious honey.
Thomas Edison made tires for the car (Ford Model T) using the rubber extracted from the leaves of goldenrods.
Canada Goldenrod is often blamed for causing hay fever because they flower during allergy season. However, the true culprits are rag weeds. Goldenrods do not cause allergies.

Precautions

It may cause heartburn.
Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Avoid long time decoction it may cause vomiting.
The herb is prohibited for children.
Goldenrod may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=36224#null

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1154/

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/solidago_canadensis.htm

https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=34917

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Solidago+canadensis

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/50599

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277473&isprofile=1&gen=Solidago

http://www.floracatalana.net/solidago-canadensis-l-

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-17814

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=soca6

https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_soca6.pdf