Omnia SanaSolidago virgaurea
Common names in 11 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 4 pharmacological actions, 7 traditional / indicated uses, with 18 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Perennial herb (Asteraceae), 20-100 cm tall, with erect, often reddish, downy or smooth stems. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped and toothed. Numerous small, bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads are clustered into branched, plume-like terminal sprays, followed by small ribbed achenes with a tuft of hairs (pappus).[1]
Height: 20-100 cm
Habit: Erect perennial herb
Leaves: Alternate, lance-shaped, toothed
Flowers: Small, bright yellow, daisy-like, in branched plume-like sprays
Stem: Erect, often reddish, downy or smooth
Root: Fibrous perennial rootstock
Fruit: Small ribbed achenes with a hairy pappus
Flowering Period: July-October
Habitat & Distribution
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut during flowering (late summer) and dried.[11]
Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Late summer, during flowering
Key Constituents
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Cancer (anticancer research)[6]Preliminary · 2/10
inferred from anticancer action
Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
inferred from diuretic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Swelling / fluid retention
more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →
Evidence: 7
Label: Urinary support
inferred from diuretic action
Evidence: 2
Label: Urinary tract infection (UTI)
more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →
Traditional Use & History
Goldenrod has a long European folk-medicine tradition as a mild 'aquaretic' diuretic and anti-inflammatory remedy for the urinary tract, used traditionally for urinary-tract irrigation therapy alongside adequate fluid intake, and topically as a wound herb (one common name is 'woundwort'). Modern phytochemical work confirms saponin- and flavonoid-driven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and diuretic activity.[1, 11]
Preparations
Infusion (tea)[11]
Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water - the classic urinary-tract preparation.
Dosage
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
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).
Dangerous Lookalikes
Confused Part: Yellow-flowered plant gathered for its flowering tops; toxic ragwort shares the yellow colour and the same rough grassland.
Confusion Context: Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) is gathered for its yellow flowering tops. As foraging guidance notes, goldenrod has toxic look-alikes - notably ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris / Senecio jacobaea), a yellow-flowered weed of the same rough grassland. Ragwort contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that cause cumulative liver damage and can be fatal, with highest risk once the plant is cut or dried into herbal material or hay. Because both are yellow-flowered plants of the same ground, correct identification matters before gathering.
Distinguishing Features: Flowers (decisive): goldenrod carries many tiny flower heads packed into a plume or spray. Ragwort has larger, open, daisy-like yellow flowers (with about 13 spreading ray petals) in flat-topped clusters, and fewer heads., Leaves: goldenrod leaves are simple, lance-shaped and toothed; ragwort leaves are blunter, deeply lobed and ruffled ('kale-like')., Timing: ragwort tends to flower earlier than goldenrod.
Key Test: Look at the flower heads. Many tiny florets in a feathery plume on a leafy stem = goldenrod. Larger open daisy-like yellow flowers with about 13 petals and ruffled lobed leaves = ragwort - liver-toxic, do not gather it.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Harvest Readiness
[12]
Part: flower
Signals: Cut the golden flowering tops in summer, as the plant comes into flower.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The plant is gathered in the summer and dried for later use
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3342); the flowering tops are gathered in summer as it comes into flower (in flower July-October). Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: goldenrod can be confused with the PA-toxic ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) - confirm identity; see Dangerous Lookalikes.
[12]
Part: leaf
Signals: Gather the leaves with the flowering tops in summer.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The plant is gathered in the summer and dried for later use
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3342); the leaf is gathered with the flowering tops in summer. Single lineage -> provisional.
[12]
Part: stem
Signals: Gather the stems with the flowering tops in summer.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The plant is gathered in the summer and dried for later use
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3342); the stem is gathered with the flowering tops in summer. Single lineage -> provisional.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - European Medicines Agency (2008) 'Community herbal monograph on Solidago virgaurea L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Community%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Solidago%20virgaurea%20L.%2C%20herba - Plants For A Future 'Solidago virgaurea (European Goldenrod, Woundwort)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Solidago+virgaurea Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Solidago+virgaurea - Bader, G., Binder, K., Hiller, K. and Zwintscher, U (1990) 'The saponins from Solidago virgaurea L', 45(8), pp. 618--622. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20saponins%20from%20Solidago%20virgaurea%20L - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Foraging Goldenrod (Solidago): Identification and Uses'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-goldenrod/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-goldenrod/ - Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board 'Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)'. Available at: https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/tansy-ragwort Traditional / reference
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/tansy-ragwort - Schneider, J. and Tsegaye, Y. and W/Tensae, M. and G/Selassie, S. and Haile, T. and Bane, A. and Ali, A. and Mesfin, G. and Seboxa, T (2012) 'Veno-occlusive liver disease: a case report', Ethiopian Medical Journal, 50 Suppl 2, pp. 47-51. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946295/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946295/
Selected studies & references
ReviewSolidago virgaurea L.: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities source↗ (2020)
RctSolidago virgaurea L. Plant Extract Targeted Against Candida albicans to Reduce Oral Microbial Biomass: A Double Blind Randomized Trial on Healthy Adults source↗ (2020)
PreclinicalInfluence of the Extraction Method on the Biological Potential of Solidago virgaurea L. Essential Oil and Hydrolates source↗ (2024)
PreclinicalPhytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Solidago virgaurea Extracts source↗ (2022)
PreclinicalIs It Worth Combining Solidago virgaurea Extract and Antibiotics against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Rods? An In Vitro Model Study source↗ (2021)
PreclinicalIn vivo anti-inflammatory activity of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Solidago virgaurea in rats source↗ (2016)
PreclinicalScreening of Korean Natural Products for Anti-Adipogenesis Properties and Isolation of Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside as a Potent Anti-Adipogenetic Compound from Solidago virgaurea source↗ (2016)
PreclinicalBiochemical effects of Solidago virgaurea extract on experimental cardiotoxicity source↗ (2013)
All 14 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.