Glorious golden rod

Golden rod, Soldidago virgaurea, is tall and stunning in the flower and herb garden the bees and bumblebees are drawn to it. It is tolerant of the dry and thrives in the heat. I have needed to stake it this year as it’s around 2m tall. It is a perennial which dies down over winter. I have both the dwarf and standard varieties, I grew the dwarf easily from seed. I love golden rod in herb teas so I have been harvesting the leaves and flowers and drying them.

This herb has not been widely studied despite being approved the German Commission E for treatment of lower urinary tract diseases. It is in a kidney tea I am able to buy commercially. It has an affinity for the lungs so it may be helpful to include it in my herbal tea for upper respiratory and seasonal allergy support. There are studies to show it may be helpful with treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis with fewer side effects compared to NSAIDs.

Golden rod Solidago virgaurea