Goldenrod

In Central Europe, three species of the genus Solidago can be found: the native Solidago virgaurea L., the True or Common Goldenrod, which provides the mother tincture, and the two large-growing species introduced from North America, S. canadensis and S. gigantea, that have become naturalised. The most striking feature of the True Goldenrod is its radiant golden-yellow flowers. Numerous small flower heads form dense, terminal panicles. The entirety of the flowers conveys a harmonious, complete impression.

However, when you look closely at a single flower head, you discover a very rare imperfection among the Asteraceae: the marginal ray florets do not form a complete ring or a seamless floral corolla as usual (for example, in the sunflower). There are many gaps so that the individual flower heads are incomplete. However, due to the dense clustering of the inflorescences, the ray florets of one flower head extend into the gaps of another and thus complement each other.

It is precisely the incompleteness of the individual flowers that leads, through connection and mutual complementation, to a harmoniously interlinked whole. The True Goldenrod grows in dry, open forests, on forest edges and embankments. It occurs only sporadically or in loose stands and thus differs from the North American species, which spread rapidly and displace the native flora with their dense stands. In late summer and autumn, their yellow inflorescences shine visibly from afar and adorn their locations – gardens, railway embankments, riverbanks and wastelands.

The True Goldenrod, on the other hand, is extraordinarily selective with regard to the harmony of its habitats. These usually have a special charm and invite one to linger and recharge due to their beauty and atmosphere. While the introduced Goldenrod species demonstrate great vitality through their spreading, dense stands, the True Goldenrod expresses its equivalent vitality in a different way; it possesses an unusual radiance with a strong emotional attraction. Together with Arnica and St John’s Wort, the True Goldenrod is probably one of the medicinal plants with the strongest radiance.

A sensitive observer will not fail to notice how the plant changes conspicuously shortly after harvest. Even before the natural wilting process begins, the flowers and leaves become dull and lose their beautiful sheen. One senses how the Goldenrod suffers from dryness and longs for water.

For a plant that grows in dry locations and naturally manages with little water, the extent of this reaction is unusual. Every plant needs water; beyond this biological requirement, however, the Goldenrod has an essential need for connection with water. The plant retains its radiance and beauty only in constant connection with the flowing element. Cut off and left on its own, it becomes dull and expressionless, estranged from its nature.

Its smell and taste are pleasantly refreshing, lightly and unobtrusively aromatic, and reminiscent of honey, a hint of the plant’s connecting, friendly nature. The signature of the True Goldenrod clearly expresses its nature oriented towards connection, complementation, harmony, vitality and flow. It possesses all the characteristics of a harmonious relationship in mutual emotional complementation. On the psychological level, the Goldenrod embodies the realm of partnership, love and the capacity for relationships.

Corresponding to this area on the physical level is the kidney function. Just as the Goldenrod represents a specific kidney therapeutic, its nature also represents the specific forces required for a harmonious emotional relationship, for genuine friendship. Frequently, kidney function disorders are the physical expression of impaired relational ability, a disturbance in the interaction between emotional giving and receiving. In such cases, the essential forces of Goldenrod can on the one hand lead to perception and awareness of one’s own issues, while on the other hand stimulating kidney function.

Goldenrod connects what has been separated. It heals wounds both physically and emotionally on the psychological level. In previous centuries, the plant was one of the most trusted wound-healing herbs and was originally called "pagan wound herb". Its Latin name Solidago (from solidum agere = to firmly reunite that which has been separated by wounding) also expresses this connecting nature.