The goldenrod with its bright yellow flowers is not only pretty to look at, but is also considered a tried and tested remedy, especially for all kinds of urinary tract diseases. But is it really completely harmless? Read what to look out for with this plant.
species
Different types - similar uses
The goldenrod or also goldenrue (Solidago) belongs to the daisy family and is sometimes quite popular with gardeners with its yellow flowers, as it is relatively undemanding, robust and easy to care for, and can be planted for a variety of purposes due to its different species and growth heights. Individual specimens of certain varieties can grow up to 250 cm high. The genus Solidago includes up to 100 species, but mainly three types of goldenrod are native to this country or are of medicinal importance and have a similar purpose.
- True or common goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)
- Giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)
- Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
In the vernacular, the golden rue is known under many other names, such as B. golden wound herb, stick herb, heathen wound herb, forest herb, lap herb, St. Peter's, Peter's staff, bed straw, ox herb, power healing herb, noble wound herb or golden maiden, to name just a few.
botanicals
Healing power and ingredients
Even the ancient Germans used the golden rue for various healing purposes. Traditionally, it has been used to treat a variety of conditions, such as those listed below, due to its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and draining effects.
- Bladder and kidney problems
- wound treatment
- gout and rheumatism
- skin diseases
- intestinal diseases
The parts close to the flower, such as the stalks, shoot tips and leaves, as well as the flowers themselves, can be processed into herbal teas, drops and tinctures for various applications, as well as for use in homeopathy.
ingredients
In addition to essential oils and saponins, the ingredients include other valuable components such as e.g. B. flavonoids, bitter substances, tannic acid, quercetin, rutoside, phenolic glycosides, chlorogenic acid, diterpenes and polysaccharides.
allergy triggers
Not toxic, but a potential allergy trigger
Goldenrod plants are not toxic for adults, children, toddlers and babies, nor for pets such as dogs, cats, rodents, birds or other small animals. An exception are cattle and horses, which should be kept as far away from the plant as possible on the pasture. However, caution is advised if you are prone to allergies. Contact with the plant - through plant sap, pollen or consumption - can occasionally cause the following symptoms.
- Contact dermatitis (contact eczema)
- hay fever
- Various allergic reactions in allergy to daisy family
Notice:Goldenrods (especially the parts near the flowers) are among the edible wild herbs. However, if you suffer from an allergy to daisy family or from restricted heart or kidney activity, you should rather refrain from enjoying the plant.
risk of confusion
Caution - risk of confusion with poisonous doubles!
Most plant species have so-called doppelgangers, i.e. other varieties that look similar, but which can be poisonous compared to the plant in question. Children and inexperienced people can easily get mixed up, which unfortunately leads time and again to sometimes fatal poisoning. Some of the best-known possible Solidago lookalikes, which are similar in appearance but highly venomous, include the following.
- laburnum
- Fox groundsel
- Jacob's groundsel
Tip: The information center against poisoning in Bonn (at http://www.gizbonn.de) provides information about poisonous plants of all kinds.
Notice: If you are unsure whether it really is a goldenrod variety, it is better to ask a person who knows plants or consult a plant identification book (although plants cannot always be identified with absolute certainty, even by the inexperienced).
Tip: Never leave children and pets unattended near questionable plants!
measures
What to do in case of allergic reactions?
Since goldenrod plants are not poisonous, no symptoms of poisoning or other consequential damage are to be expected from the single consumption of parts of the plant. Should symptoms nevertheless occur, a doctor must of course be consulted immediately!
skin rash
If an allergic skin reaction occurs after contact with goldenrod plants, depending on the severity, it may be necessary to see a dermatologist. When it comes to reactions to the pollen, there is nothing to do but avoid goldenrod plants as much as possible.
planting
You should keep this in mind when planting, caring for and collecting.
The Solidago flowers from May to October and its flowers are extremely popular with bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other insects. You should therefore not necessarily plant them in places where people often stay, in order to avoid possible insect bites and corresponding allergic reactions.
Tip: Wear gardening gloves when tending and trimming the plant to avoid a potential skin allergic reaction to the plant sap.
frost sensitivity
Because they are sensitive to frost, you should not plant goldenrod plants outdoors too early in spring, but only when there is no more night frost, i.e. from mid to late May. The plants love warm, sunny, spacious locations and are therefore often found near the forest, on dry meadows and on slopes and embankments.
Tip: Summer flowering asters, sun bride (Helenium), scabious (Scabiosa), fine ray (Erigeron), Montbretia (Crocosmia), feather grass (Stipa) and other grasses are particularly suitable as plant neighbors. Particularly tall species should be supported, otherwise they can easily break off, and the plants also multiply very quickly.
harvest
Goldenrod plants are best harvested in midsummer, i.e. in July and August, when the plants are in full bloom. The collected flowers and parts near the flowers should then be hung and dried in a warm, dark and well-ventilated place. In addition to their use as medicinal herbs, goldenrod plants are also well suited as long-lasting flowers for the vase.
Sources:
http://www.hortipendium.de/Goldruten
http://blogs.badische-zeitung.de/machen/2009/08/die-goldrute-lasst-den-harn-fliesen/
http://heimat-pfalz.de/botanik/915-greiskraut-die-gelbe-hazard.html
https://www.kraeuter-verzeichnis.de/kraeuter/goldrute.html