GOLDEN ROD (Solidago
virga-aurea)
Common names: Solidago,
Aaron's Rod.
This medicinal plant is found in woods and copses, in moist ditches and
on hillsides. The erect stem with its bushy branches on the upper half, carrying
yellow star-like flowers, grows to about 80 cm.
The flowers are gathered from
July to October and are used for disorders and bleeding of the intestines.
Especially though, Golden Rod is praised as an excellent remedy for disorders of
the kidneys. Flowers and leaves of the Golden Rod have a cooling effect and,
since the plant is a diuretic, are recommended in all kidney and bladder
complaints.
The Swiss herbalist, Abbe Kuenzfe, tells in his writings of a 45
year old man who suffered from a serious kidney complaint which got worse and
worse. Finally one kidney had to be removed. The other one was affected as well
and could not work properly. This man began a Golden Rod treatment. He mixed
equal parts of Golden Rod, Bedstraw and Yellow Dead Nettle, prepared a tea and
sipped 3 to 4 cups during the day, whereupon he recovered, as he said himself,
in 14 days.
Golden Rod together with Bedstraw and Yellow or White Dead Nettle is
efficacious in cases of cirrhosis of the kidneys and renal failure when renal
dialysis has to be performed.
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DIRECTION
Infusion: 1/4 litre of boiling water is poured over 1 heaped teaspoon of Golden Rod and infused for a short time. One heaped teaspoon of the mixture is also used and prepared as above.