Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis Has Therapeutic Qualities

Summary: New World native perennial Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), upholds the reputation of many goldenrod species as promoters of well-being.

Canada goldenrod, Teton County, northwestern Wyoming: Matt Lavin, CC BY SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

As a species in the Solidago plant genus, Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) continues the goldenrod reputation for promoting well-being in folk and Native American medicinal remedies. The genus name, Solidago (Latin: solido, "to heal, to make heal”), recognizes the therapeutic qualities of many goldenrod species.

Five varieties of Solidago canadensis have been recognized: canadensis, gilvocanescens, hargeri, salebrosa and scabra. The scabra variety is synonymous with Solidago altissima. Originally considered as a single species, scabra was reclassified as a variety of Canada goldenrod. Evolutionary ecology biologists Warren G. Abrahamson of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania’s Bucknell University and Arthur Edward Weis of the University of California, Irvine, find that the scabra variety is morphologically closest to the gilvocanescens variety.

The Flora of North America, an in-print and online compendium focusing on the more than 20,000 native and naturalized species found in North America north of Mexico, considers the scabra variety as a single species under its original scientific name, Solidago altissima. Early research in 1997 by Abrahamson and Weis and recent reporting in 2007 by Timothy P. Craig and Joanne K. Itami of the University of Minnesota at Duluth and John D. Horner of Texas Christian University reveal that the parasitic gall-forming insect Eurosta solidaginis, known commonly as the Goldenrod Gall Fly, only injects eggs into the stems of gilvocanescens and scabra varieties of Canadian goldenrod. Formation of ball-shaped, abnormal outgrowths, called galls, confirms the presence of the parasite’s larvae. The other three varieties of Canada goldenrod do not serve as habitats or food sources for gall-forming insects.

Native American ethnobotany is replete with remedies based upon Canada goldenrod.

The Iroquois of northeastern North America find numerous healing applications for Canada goldenrod. An analgesic infusion of flowers and roots treats side pains. A compound infusion of roots serves as an emetic aid to induce vomiting. A compound infusion of tubers, or rhizomes, is a pediatric sedative for babies who make sudden starts while sleeping.

Known to colonists as the Fox tribe, the Meskwaki (Meshkwahkihaki, “the Red Earth people”) of the Great Lakes region apply Canada goldenrod as a psychological aid. An unlaughing, untalkative child is washed with a compound decoction of Canada goldenrod.

The Nlaka’pamux of southern British Columbia and Washington’s North Cascades region recognize the antidiarrheal quality of a decoction of plant tops. The plant’s sedative quality is utilized as a pediatric aid to treat excessive crying, diarrhea or sleeplessness via bathing in a plant-based decoction.

The Okanagan of the Okanagan River Basin in present-day British Columbia and Washington prepare an infusion of rhizome shoots as a febrifuge (Latin: febris, “fever” + fugare, “to drive away”) for feverish children. A decoction of blossoms treats the flu. An infusion of flower heads is taken as an antidiarrheal remedy.

The Zuni of present-day western New Mexico appreciate Canada goldenrod’s analgesic qualities. Crushed blossoms are chewed to treat the pain of a sore threat. An infusion of crushed blossoms treats body aches and pains.

Native American ethnobotany also recognizes household and other uses for Canada goldenrod in daily life. Known to colonists as the Thompson for their association with south central British Columbia’s Thompson River, the Nlaka’pamux also apply Canada goldenrod as a veterinary aid. Horses with cuts and sores are washed with a decoction of Canada goldenrod and wild tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus).

The Okanagan discover playful aspects of Canada goldenrod as a toy and in games. Their children play with the plant’s drooping branches of clustered flower heads, using them as pretend whips.

The Ojibwe of the Upper Great Lakes region from Lake Winnipeg eastward to the Saint Lawrence Seaway value Canada goldenrod’s scabra variety as a dermatological aid. A compound poultice of flowers treats burns. Dry flowers are moistened into a poultice as an ulcer remedy. Boils are treated with a poultice of moistened, pulverized roots.

As a favorite beverage of Colonial America, Canada goldenrod still satisfies in the 21st century as a refreshing, pleasant-tasting tea that also soothes colds and respiratory ailments. Holli Richey, a Tennessee-based, registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, suggests steeping 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped flowers and leaves, or 1 tablespoon of dried goldenrod, for 20 to 30 minutes in a cup of boiling water.

Canada goldenrod's scabra variety: Aomorikuma, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Canada goldenrod, Teton County, northwestern Wyoming: Matt Lavin, CC BY SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow_flowers_of_Solidago_canadensis.jpg

Canada goldenrod's scabra variety, originally named Solidago altissima as a separate species: Aomorikuma, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asterales_Asteraceae_Solidago_canadensis_var_scabra_Canada_goldenrod.jpg

For further information:

Abrahamson, Warren G., and Arthur E. Weis. Evolutionary Ecology Across Three Trophic Levels: Goldenrods, Gallmakers, and Natural Enemies. Monographs in Population Biology, vol. 29. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press, 1997.

Coladonato, Milo. “Solidago Canadensis.” US Forest Service > Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) Database > Plants > Forb.
Available @ http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/solcan/all.html

Craig, Timothy P.; Joanne K. Itami; John D. Horner. “Geographic Variation in the Evolution and Coevolution of a Tritrophic Interaction.” Evolution, vol. 61, issue 5 (May 2007): 1137-1152.
Available @ http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00099.x

“Goldenrod Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis.” Fairfax County Public Schools > Island Creek Elementary School > Ecology.
Available @ http://www2.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/goldenrod_gall_fly.htm

Linnaeus, Carl von. 1753. "2. Solidago canadensis." Species Plantarum, tomus II: 878. Holmiae [Stockholm, Sweden]: Laurentii Salvii [Laurentius Salvius].
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/358899

Marriner, Derdriu. "Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis Blooms Goldenly July to October." Earth and Space News. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/08/canada-goldenrod-solidago-canadensis_27.html

Pavek, Pamela L.S. “Plant Fact Sheet for Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis).” USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) > Plant Fact Sheet.
Available @ http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_soca6.pdf

Pavek, Pamela L.S. “Plant Guide for Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis).” USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) > Plant Guide.
Available @ http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_soca6.pdf

“Prevent Colds with Goldenrod.” Holli Richey. Aug. 22, 2010.
Available @ https://hollirichey.com/2010/08/22/prevent-colds-with-goldenrod/

“Solidago altissima.” Iowa Plants > Flora > Family > Asteraceae > Solidago.
Available @ http://iowaplants.com/flora/family/Asteraceae/solidago/s_altissima/Solidago_altissima.html

“Solidago altissima.” Native American Ethnobotany Database > Uses.
Available @ http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=solidago+altissima

“Solidago altissima Linnaeus.” Flora of North America > Flora Taxon.
Available @ http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242414377

“Solidago canadensis.” Missouri Botanical Garden > Gardens & Gardening > Your Garden > Plant Finder.
Available @ http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277473&isprofile=1&gen=Solidago

“Solidago canadensis.” Native American Ethnobotany Database > Uses.
Available @ http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=solidago+canadensis

"Solidago canadensis L." Tropicos® > Name Search.
Available @ http://www.tropicos.org/Name/2711073

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Available @ http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200024550

Werner, Patricia A., and William J. Platt. “Ecological Relationships of Co-Occurring Goldenrods (Solidago: Compositae).” The American Naturalist, vol. 110, no. 976 (Nov.-Dec. 1976): 959-971.
Available @ https://www.jstor.org/stable/2460024?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents