Solidago canadensis
My Golden rod has been growing in the same corner of the garden for about 15 years. Without much attention or water, it puts on a beautiful display every year. It also times its blooming with the first rains of autumn after the long drought of summer. Usually it blooms before the rain, but sometimes the rain is first. This year it has been blooming for a while and today I harvested it while it is at its peak. Tomorrow rain is forcast.
Some has gone into a vase, and some is left to dry for herbal tea. One lot is tinctured fresh - picked, stripped and put into a 2 litre jar with alcohol, all in the space of an hour. This way I get the best quality tincture. Finally some is left for the bees because they love it. But I must admit, there were not so many today when I picked. Usually they buzz around me, and stay on the picked blossoms. I hope they were busy elsewhere - not fewer in numbers.
Golden rod belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae. If one looks closely at the flowers they are made up of clusters of miniature daisies. The flowers are rich in flavonoids (flavus = yellow) and are good for the vascular system in strengthening blood vessels. This is helpful for allergies, as capillary stability and strength are important in protecting against allergens. It is also an excellent herb for varicose veins when taken regularly.
The main medicinal use of golden rod is as an anti-catarrhal and diuretic. It is a peculiar coincidence of the herbal pharmacy that many herbs which are beneficial to the chest are also beneficial to the urinary system. This dual benefit can be very useful when a chest infection occurs as the kidneys are automatically disinfected by the herb that is used for the cough, and in turn the kidneys can play a role in ridding the body of fluid accumulated in the lungs. Golden rod directly increases renal function and can be used in cases of nephritis, but only by an experienced practitioner.
Golden rod is an old traditional medicine for the kidneys and is used for kidney gravel and inflammation. It can also be used for cystitis. Traditionally Solidago virgaurea was the herb used, but canadensis has been shown to have even superior medicinal properties. It's hardy, beautiful and medicinal - nature's gift to us.
Golden rod belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae. If one looks closely at the flowers they are made up of clusters of miniature daisies. The flowers are rich in flavonoids (flavus = yellow) and are good for the vascular system in strengthening blood vessels. This is helpful for allergies, as capillary stability and strength are important in protecting against allergens. It is also an excellent herb for varicose veins when taken regularly.
The main medicinal use of golden rod is as an anti-catarrhal and diuretic. It is a peculiar coincidence of the herbal pharmacy that many herbs which are beneficial to the chest are also beneficial to the urinary system. This dual benefit can be very useful when a chest infection occurs as the kidneys are automatically disinfected by the herb that is used for the cough, and in turn the kidneys can play a role in ridding the body of fluid accumulated in the lungs. Golden rod directly increases renal function and can be used in cases of nephritis, but only by an experienced practitioner.
Solidago canadensis with Leonotis leonurus
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