College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Hot, acrid, strong diuretic

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Goldenrod warms the kidney and respiratory tract in autumn. It makes a beloved, fragrant tea that is warming, mildly pungent and bitter, and strongly astringent.

Clears the Urinary Tract

Goldenrod is a strong diuretic that clears the urinary tract. It is specific for dysuria due to spasm and tenesmus. Peter Holmes notes that Goldenrod nourishes the kidneys. Stanbury claims it may be overstimulating to urinary structures. The pollen may reduce hormonal stimulation of the prostate.

Warms, Dries & Restores the Lungs

Goldenrod is helpful in all cold, damp conditions. Its pungency and astringency dry up secretions and mucus in the respiratory tract. Its vulnerary, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory actions restore lung tissue from infection. It is often used to reduce allergic reactions.
Ayurveda Goldenrod Whole Plant Large

Metabolic Nature of Goldenrod

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Outward

OUTWARD

Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating.

SEE ALL 'OUTWARD' FOODS / HERBS

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Upward

UPWARD

Upward-moving substances (Urdvha Gati Marga) include anything stimulating or activating, or that move upward in the body.

SEE ALL 'UPWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Goldenrod
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Irritates Throat

IRRITATES-THROAT

Creates abrasive feeling in the back of the mouth. May stimulate coughing.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Mucolytic

MUCOLYTIC

An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.

SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

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Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Helpful in infections and for those with weak immune systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTISEPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Reduces Secretions

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

Stops discharges & secretions (examples include sweat, vaginal discharge, diarrhea, urinary, nasal, etc). Commonly astringent or cooling remedies.

SEE ALL 'REDUCES-SECRETIONS' FOODS / HERBS

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Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

STRONG DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Kidney Tonic

KIDNEY-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the kidneys.

SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Warms Kidney

WARMS-KIDNEY

Warms the kidneys by increasing blood flow to the organ.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-KIDNEY' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Goldenrod

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Mucolytic, Cardiac-stimulant, Immune-calming, Vasodilator, Diuretic, Irritates-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Irritates-throat, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Cardiac-stimulant, Immune-calming, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic

    Garlic has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Vasodilator, Irritates-throat, Vulnerary, Diuretic, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Sage

    Sage has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Mucolytic, Expectorant, Reduces-secretions, Immune-calming, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Vulnerary, Cardiac-stimulant, Mucolytic, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Cardiac-stimulant, Irritates-throat, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antiseptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Expectorant, Cardiac-stimulant, Irritates-throat, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Expectorant, Cardiac-stimulant, Irritates-throat, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Spanish Black Radish

    Spanish Black Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Immune-calming, Diuretic, Mucolytic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cayenne Pepper

    Cayenne Pepper has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Anti-inflammatory, Mucolytic, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Vulnerary, Expectorant, Cardiac-stimulant, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Goldenrod

  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Vulnerary, Antiseptic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Vasodilator, Warms-kidney, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Horsetail

    Horsetail has these Actions in Common

    Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Kidney-tonic, Reduces-secretions

    LEARN MORE

  • Kushta

    Kushta has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Mucolytic, Reduces-secretions, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Antiseptic, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Vasodilator, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Kidney-tonic, Vasodilator, Warms-kidney, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Geranium

    Geranium has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Mucolytic, Reduces-secretions, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Plantain Leaf

    Plantain Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Mucolytic, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Calendula, Marigold

    Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

    Vasodilator, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Reduces-secretions

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Goldenrod may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Goldenrod may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Goldenrod. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.