In this post we’ll be exploring what I would consider an overview of Goldenrod, or Solidgo spp. from a magical, ecological, medicinal and folkloric perspective. There is so much more to know about this plant and this is only the information I have gathered from experiences, copious booking on herbalism, ecology, plant magic, research, conversation and the like. Goldenrod medicine I imagine has its own unique culture in certain parts of the world and more specifically in the United States, where I reside.

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NAME & LATIN:

Solidago spp. or Goldenrod, is the common name for the genus Solidago who are in the Asteraceae family. Other names for our goldenrods are, woundwort, wound weed and blue mountain tea. The etymology behind Solidago is, solidus + agere (causes to solidify or bring together). This plant was one of the original woundworts of the “old world” (Europe)*.

RANGE:

These gorgeous plants grow predominantly in North America, South America, Europe, parts of Eurasia and have also been introduced to other parts of the globe. Depending on who you ask, there appear to be between 77 and 177 different species of Solidago. I’m not joking, that’s data pulled from the USDA.

The Solidago’s are split into two different groups, one enjoys moist soils and those who prefer more dry and disturbed sites.

Their flowering time may depend on elevation and range, but commonly August to September.

For the sake of this plant profile, I will be speaking to the plants I have interacted within the particular region that I roam, which includes the Pacific Northwest coast and coastal mountains, Cascade mountain ranges, the interior mountains of Eastern Oregon as well as the deep canyons, scablands and river basins.

To my understanding, the greatest variance in these plants seem to be in the central and north-central states of the US

While I am no botanist, it is my belief that I have primarily encountered Solidago missouriensis, Solidago canadensis and S. elogata. However, these plants are well known to hybridize, so lord knows who I’ve actually encountered - goldenrods for sure, but who within that genus is unknown to me.

To ensure proper identification, use your wits! Bring an ID book relevant to your region and when you feel confident, touch, smell and taste (with care and caution). Pinch a leaf, or flower between your fingers and smell, it should be aromatic to a degree. Goldenrod smells like goldenrod and tastes like it too. With these plants, you’ll often find many pollinators about, engaging in ecstatic rituals - they can be quite fun to watch.

The strength and aromatics of these plants can vary depending on where they’re growing. Goldenrod I have found roadside in the Blue mountains is more (interestingly) aromatic than goldenrods I have found along the Cascade crest. I personally favor more aromatic plants, as their medicine feel stronger to me.

FOLKLORE & MAGIC:

Contrary to the sol we see in Solidago and the yellow flowers, this plant is within the auspices of the planet Venus. The primary organ of the body associated with Venus is the kidneys, which to no surprise is where we might find this herb acting in a medicinal sense.

Venus is kidneys and, the skin (and much more). Venus is also money and love and we find those associations here too.

Goldenrod can bring luck to your money situations, indicators here are the deep green and bright golden yellow. Flowers sprinkled in a wallet are said to draw in more money.

Some folks seem quite keen to use the plant as a dowsing rod. When held in the hand, whichever way the flowers droop is where there may be buried treasure. So, perhaps helpful in showing us where our efforts and direction are best put as well as for dowsing practices.

For love, it is said that if one wears goldenrod near to their body, their future lover will appear to them the next day.

MEDICINE:

Solidago has a wide and fascinating range of uses.

Constituents: (I imagine will vary from plant to plant) Saponins, clearodane diterpenes, phenolic glycloseides, flavinoids, acetylenes polysaccharides, tannins.

Actions: analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-lithic, astringent, anti-catarrhal, diuretic, hepatic, immunomodulator

Energetics: Warmish & neutral leaning into dry.

Parts used: Leaves, bitter. Flowers, aromatic, sweet, bitter. Roots, pungent, bitter and more aromatic than flowers.

Contraindications: May cause an allergic reaction for those sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family.

Solidago is truly an all-purpose plant. You can find use from mouth gargle, lung support, wound healing to urinary support. Goldenrod seems to have fallen out of favor and you can see this within historical texts and on through to more modern herbal texts. Through my research of this plant in the medicinal lens, it was once right up there with yarrow and was one of the “woundworts” meaning, plants that have great capacity to heal.

Goldenrod has taken a bit of a backseat compared to other herbal medicines that one may have access to. But don’t let inhibit your use and regard for the plant. Goldenrod is a wonderous ally to have access to.

According to Hoffman, Goldenrod is the first you’ll want to reach for catarrh. Meaning, mucous in the sinuses and lungs. Goldenrod also is helpful for allergies (cat especially, and pollen) and I imagine mucous buildup from allergies as well as colds that have moved into the lungs, also bronchitis. Goldenrod can also be used in a protocol for influenza.

Goldenrod also carries with it some bitters, which do act on the digestion. I find it helpful when transitioning to a higher fat diet and when too much fat makes you feel a bit strange. The species I encounter here in NE Oregon is especially bitter compared to plants on the Cascade crest. So, I think that when working with Goldenrod, it’s important to taste to indicate where the medicinal actions may be the best put.

Pacific northwest herbalist Scott Kloos strongly indicates goldenrod for urinary support and likens the flowers to streams of urine, and when you look at them, it’s true! I can also attest to goldenrod working for lower UTI related issues, it works. Goldenrod also supports the kidneys, and UTIs left untreated can move upwards — and I’ve experienced this. Best to jump on goldenrod medicine the moment you feel the burn.

SPIRIT & VIBRATIONAL INDICATIONS:

I know, vibrational is rather a washed out word. But when I use it, I really do mean the actual vibrational aspects of a plant when sitting with them. Are they subtle? Are they steady? Strong? Smack you upside the face in their presence? What feelings and emotions do they instill within you?

This is a vibrational quality.

Now that that is out of the way, I feel it’s plain to see that Goldenrod speaks to the warmth and vitality of the sun, very much like The Sun in the tarot. Here we see rooted supportiveness along with pure and unfettered joyful expression.

Goldenrod stand on their own within a community. Connected, but confident in their own expression as they reach up to the sun.

When we look at the flower essence indicators of Goldenrod, we see something similar: strong and secure sense of our individuality within groups or communities. It helps delineate our thoughts and expression from that of a group or culture we may be attached to.

Another interesting thing to note is their rhizomatic nature. In summer they root deep and in winter, they spread out horizontally creating shallow spreading roots. This speaks to knowing when to shift and transform our energies and where we should be reaching. Deep earthly nourishment, and then outward into community and support from our neighbors. And again, without creating energetic identity attachments to others.

Goldenrod teaches us to stand and shine in our individuality within the collective.

PERSONAL NOTES & OBSERVATION:

The goldenrods that grow near me are quite aromatic and the flowers, sometimes sweet. Flowers when nibbled tend to act on my lungs, and I breathe a little deeper - these are the aromatics. The leaves, more bitter and help stimulate digestion. I do not have experience with the roots.

This has been the only and most effective herb to help clear a lower urinary tract infection for me. I used it along with a protocol to help support my urinary tract (nettle, uva ursi, minimal coffee, no sugars, low carbs, no alcohol, lots of water and rest). It took some time and persistence but did indeed help clear up my UTI. As such, it’ll be a medicine I reach for in the realm of urinary tract support.

Last but not least, goldenrod makes a fantastic dye.

* Matthew Wood, on Goldenrod