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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea

Family AsteraceaeParts used Flower, Leaf, StemAlso known as European goldenrod, woundwort

This monograph compiles 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 13]
Antioxidant[1, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13]
Diuretic[1, 4, 11, 12, 13]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[2, 11, 12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Swelling / fluid retention[11, 12, 13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →
Urinary tract infection (UTI)[4, 11, 12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from diuretic action

more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Caution

Generally well tolerated. Not recommended in cases of fluid retention due to impaired cardiac or renal function. Ensure adequate fluid intake when using as a diuretic. May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants. Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data.

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Caution

Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for goldenrod's anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with Commission E approval. It is also classified as an aquaretic (increases urine output without electrolyte loss) and antispasmodic, used for urinary tract irrigation therapy. Dose: 6–12 g dried herb daily as tea for urinary complaints. Duke cautions against use in cases of edema from renal or cardiac insufficiency, and notes that the herb may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-1045, REF-1046, REF-1047, REF-1048, REF-1049, REF-1050, REF-1051, REF-1052, REF-1053, REF-1054

References & Sources

  1. Fursenco, C., Calalb, T., Uncu, L., Dinu, M. and others (2020) 'Solidago virgaurea L.: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities', Biomolecules, 10(12), pp. 1619. doi:10.3390/biom10121619 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10121619
  2. Abdel Motaal, A., Ezzat, S.M., Tadros, M.G. and El-Askary, H.I (2016) 'In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Solidago virgaurea in rats', Pharmaceutical Biology, 54(12), pp. 2864-2870. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1190381 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2016.1190381
  3. Précheur, I., Rolland, Y., Hasseine, L., Orange, F. and others (2020) 'Solidago virgaurea L. Plant Extract Targeted Against Candida albicans to Reduce Oral Microbial Biomass: A Double Blind Randomized Trial on Healthy Adults', Antibiotics, 9(4), pp. 137. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9040137 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9040137
  4. Wojnicz, D., Tichaczek-Goska, D., Glensk, M. and Hendrich, A.B (2021) 'Is It Worth Combining Solidago virgaurea Extract and Antibiotics against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Rods? An In Vitro Model Study', Pharmaceutics, 13(4), pp. 573. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13040573 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040573
  5. El-Tantawy, W.H (2013) 'Biochemical effects of Solidago virgaurea extract on experimental cardiotoxicity', Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 70(1), pp. 33-42. doi:10.1007/s13105-013-0277-0 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0277-0
  6. Gross, S.C., Goodarzi, G., Watabe, M., Bandyopadhyay, S. and others (2002) 'Antineoplastic activity of Solidago virgaurea on prostatic tumor cells in an SCID mouse model', Nutrition and Cancer, 43(1), pp. 76-81. doi:10.1207/S15327914NC431_9 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327914NC431_9
  7. Starks, C.M., Williams, R.B., Goering, M.G., O'Neil-Johnson, M. and others (2010) 'Antibacterial clerodane diterpenes from Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)', Phytochemistry, 71(1), pp. 104-109. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.032 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.032
  8. Malicanin, M., Karabegovic, I., Dordevic, N., Mancic, S. and others (2024) 'Influence of the Extraction Method on the Biological Potential of Solidago virgaurea L. Essential Oil and Hydrolates', Plants, 13(16), pp. 2187. doi:10.3390/plants13162187 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162187
  9. Zehra, S.A., Bhattarai, P., Zhang, J., Liu, Y. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Solidago virgaurea Extracts', Current Bioactive Compounds, 19(4), pp. e150622206146. doi:10.2174/1573407218666220615143502 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.2174/1573407218666220615143502
  10. Jang, Y.S., Wang, Z., Lee, J.M., Lee, J.Y. and others (2016) 'Screening of Korean Natural Products for Anti-Adipogenesis Properties and Isolation of Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside as a Potent Anti-Adipogenetic Compound from Solidago virgaurea', Molecules, 21(2), pp. 226. doi:10.3390/molecules21020226 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21020226
  11. Bader, G., Binder, K., Hiller, K. and Zwintscher, U (1990) 'The saponins from Solidago virgaurea L', 45(8), pp. 618--622. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  12. European Medicines Agency (2008) 'Community herbal monograph on Solidago virgaurea L., herba'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  13. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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