It has not only beautiful yellow flowers, but also healing powers: goldenrod is used for flushing therapy for bladder weakness, offering a herbal alternative for the treatment of urinary tract diseases. It is unmistakable because it can be recognized from afar by its bright yellow color. The true goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) is found in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia and grows on rough grasslands, shrubberies or in sparse forests. It was discovered as early as the 17th century as a means of flushing out urinary tract problems. Thus, it offers help to many sufferers, because urinary tract problems are not only unpleasant for those affected, but usually very painful.
Cause of bladder infections
Women suffer from bladder infections more often than men because their urethra is shorter and is located in the immediate vicinity of the bowel outlet. Germs from the anal area can thus easily enter the urethra and rise into the bladder. But men are also familiar with this condition. In them, it is favored by an enlargement of the prostate. Many of the patients have regular urinary complaints with symptoms such as burning, pulling, intense urge to urinate and moderate success in urination.
Therefore, a form of treatment with few side effects – in addition to the often unavoidable therapy with antibiotics or other chemical drugs – is recommended. Here a flushing with the real goldenrod offers itself. It is particularly suitable for the supportive treatment of urinary tract infections, because it improves the blood circulation in the kidneys and increases the amount of urine excreted. If you drink two or better three liters of a tea infusion a day, the pathogens will be flushed out.
This is a pure water excretion without salt loss, called aquaresis in technical jargon. Other medicinal plants such as birch leaves, horsetail herb or nettle leaves can also be used in this process.
Ingredients and effects of goldenrod
According to the European Pharmacopoeia, the “dried aerial parts collected at flowering time” of the true goldenrod, i.e. the herb portion of the parent plant Solidago virgaurea, are used. In homeopathy, the fresh inflorescences are prepared. The main ingredients – flavonoids and saponins – promote the excretion of urinary and toxic substances according to the principle of aquaresis. The true goldenrod also has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic effects. These properties are probably due to the phenolic glycosides it contains, which are found only in it and not in other goldenrod species.
The medicinal plant is also used for kidney inflammations or kidney gravel, mainly in the form of tea or drops. In addition, there are indications that it is also helpful in rheumatism, venous diseases or chronic skin diseases. Scientists assume that here the immunostimulating effect of the saponins may play a role.
Application of goldenrod
Externally, the real goldenrod, due to the tannin content, is used for inflammation of the mouth and throat, as well as for poorly healing wounds. Caution: However, in case of symptoms lasting longer than three days, fever or blood in the urine, as well as in case of chronic kidney disease, a doctor should be consulted before use. Do not use genuine goldenrod herb in cases of water retention due to impaired heart or kidney activity.
