FWD 2 Expanded Commission E: Goldenrod

Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E

Goldenrod

Latin Name: Solidago virgaurea
Pharmacopeial Name: solidago, Virgaureae herba
Other Names: European goldenrod

Overview

European goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) is a perennial plant native to Europe that has spread throughout Europe, northern Africa, North America and parts of Asia. Early goldenrod (S. gigantea Aiton) and Canadian goldenrod (S. canadensis L.) are native in North America. Early goldenrod is now naturalized in Europe, where it was introduced as an ornamental plant that later escaped cultivation (Wichtl, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The material of commerce is collected mainly from the wild in southeast and eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and the former Yugoslavia (BHP, 1996; Wichtl, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). In commerce, early goldenrod is often substituted for European goldenrod though they can be differentiated anatomically, chemically, and morphologically (Wichtl, 1996). The genus name Solidago is derived from soldare, meaning 'to make whole,' because it was used as a vulnerary drug (Grieve, 1979).

Goldenrod is classed as an aquaretic, increasing renal blood flow and increasing the glomerular filtration rate without stimulating the loss of sodium and chloride. Aquaretics are considered safer than many synthetic diuretics that promote the loss of electrolytes (Tyler, 1994). Animal studies have investigated its effect on diuresis and levels of electrolytes (Chodera et al., 1991), its anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, and diuretic effects (Leuschner, 1995), its effect on the metabolism of rabbit brain slices (Dittmann, 1973), and its influence on respiration and glycolysis in brain tumor sections (Ludt and Dittmann, 1972). Several in vitro and in vivo studies have also investigated a combination aqueous/alcoholic extract composed of European goldenrod herb, European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) for its effects on various myeloperoxidase systems (von Kruedener et al., 1996), its anti-inflammatory activity (el-Ghazaly et al., 1992; von Kruedener et al., 1995), its antioxidative properties (Meyer et al., 1995) and its effects on the inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase activity (Strehl et al., 1995).

The approved modern therapeutic applications for goldenrod herb are based on its long history of use in well established systems of traditional medicine, numerous in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies, and on its well documented chemical composition.

In Germany, goldenrod herb is official in the German Pharmacopoeia, listed in the German Drug Codex, approved in the German Commission E monographs and the tea form is official in the German Standard License monographs (BAnz, 1998; Braun et al., 1997; DAB, 1997; DAC, 1986; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). It is used as an agent to increase the quantity of urine as a treatment for kidney and bladder inflammation (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). Goldenrod herb is commonly found as a component in Tee bei Blasen- und Nierenerkrankungen (teas for bladder and kidney disorders), typically in combination with java tea leaf (Orthosiphon stamineus), birch leaf (Betula alba) and/or uva ursi leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (Meyer-Buchtela, 1999). In the United States, goldenrod is little used with the exception of its limited use by medical herbalists, naturopathic physicians, and aboriginal healers. For example, the Iroquois people prepare an infusion of Canadian goldenrod flowers as a gastrointestinal and liver aid (Moerman, 1998).

Pharmacopeial grade European goldenrod herb consists of the dried flowering tops of S. virgaurea L., collected during the flowering period, in whole or cut dried forms. It may contain no more than 5% brownish discolored fragments and maximum 2% other foreign matter. Botanical identity must be confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), macroscopic and microscopic examinations, and organoleptic evaluations (DAB, 1997). The German Standard License monograph requires not less than 1.5% flavonoids, calculated as rutoside with reference to the dried drug (Braun et al., 1997). The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia requires that it contain not less than 11% water-soluble extractive (BHP, 1996).

Pharmacopeial grade early goldenrod herb and/or Canadian goldenrod herb consists of the dried flowering tops of S. gigantea Ait. (early), S. canadensis L. (Canadian), and its hybrids or mixtures of these species, collected during the flowering period, in whole or cut dried forms. It must contain not less than 2.5% flavonoids calculated as hyperoside, with reference to the dried drug. It may contain no more than 5% discolored fragments and maximum 2% other foreign matter. Botanical identity must be confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), macroscopic and microscopic examinations, and organoleptic evaluations (DAB, 1997). For early goldenrod herb, the German Standard License monograph requires not less than 6.0% flavonoids calculated as rutin with reference to the dried drug (Braun et al., 1997; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Description

European goldenrod herb consists of the aboveground parts of S. virgaurea L. [Fam. Asteraceae], gathered during the flowering season and dried carefully, as well as their preparations in effective dosage. Goldenrod herb consists of the aboveground parts of S. serotina Aiton (synonym S. gigantea Willdenow), S. canadensis L., and its hybrids, gathered during the flowering season and carefully dried, as well as their preparations in effective dosage. The herb contains flavonoids, saponins, and phenol glycosides.

Chemistry and Pharmacology

European goldenrod herb contains approximately 1.5% flavonoids, mainly rutin, plus quercitrin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, hyperoside, and nicotiflorin; approximately 10% catechin tannins; 26% triterpene saponins, of which more than 30% are bisdesmosidic polygala acid derivatives; 0.21.0% phenol glycosides, including leiocarposide and virgaureoside A; phenolic acids, including caffeic and chlorogenic acids; 0.40.5% essential oil; diterpenoid lactones of cis-clerodane type; and polysaccharides (ESCOP, 1997; Hnsel et al., 1992-1994; Meyer-Buchtela, 1999; Wichtl, 1996).

Early goldenrod herb contains minimum 2.4% flavonoids, including quercitrin and rutin; 912% triterpene saponins, mainly bayogenin glycosides; phenolic acids, including chlorogenic, hydroxycinnamic, and caffeic acids and their glucose esters; tannins; polysaccharides; diterpenes; and a small amount of essential oil (Wichtl, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

The Commission E reported diuretic, mildly antispasmodic, and antiphlogistic activity.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported diuretic, anticatarrhal, and diaphoretic actions (BHP, 1996). In vitro studies have shown a spermicidal effect on human sperm, possibly a result of the saponins of the b-amyrin type having a particular sequence of sugars at the 28-carboxyl function (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). Fungicidic activity on Candida albicans has been shown using the triterpenoid glycosides (Bader et al., 1990).

Uses

The Commission E approved goldenrod herb as irrigation therapy for inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract, urinary calculi and kidney gravel, and as prophylaxis for urinary calculi and kidney gravel.

The German Standard License for goldenrod herb tea indicates its use to increase the amount of urine in inflammation of the kidneys and bladder (Braun et al., 1997; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). ESCOP indicates its use for irrigation of the urinary tract, especially in cases of inflammation and renal gravel, and as an adjuvant in the treatment of bacterial infections of the urinary tract (ESCOP, 1997).

Contraindications

No irrigation therapy in case of edema due to impaired heart and kidney function.

Side Effects

None known.

Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

No restrictions known.

Interactions with Other Drugs

None known.

Dosage and Administration

Unless otherwise prescribed: 6-12 g of cut herb for teas and other galenical preparations for internal use.

Note: Observe copious intake of fluids.

Infusion: Steep 3 g in 150 ml boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes, two to four times daily between meals (Braun et al., 1997; ESCOP, 1997; Meyer-Buchtela, 1999; Weiss, 1991; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994)

[Note: 21% of the potentially available O-glycoside bound flavonoids are yielded into the tea infusion after 5 minutes of steeping and 28% are released after a 10 minute steep. 22% of the potentially available tannins are yielded after 5 minutes of steeping and 28% after a 10 minute steep (Meyer-Buchtela, 1999).]

Cold macerate: Soak 1.2-2.4 g in 150 ml cold water for 10 to15 minutes then bring to a boil briefly before drinking, three to five times daily between meals (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 3 ml, two to four times daily between meals.

References

BAnz. See Bundesanzeiger.

Bader, G. et al. 1990. The antifungal action of polygalacic acid glycosides. Pharmazie 45(8):618620.

Braun, R. et al. 1997. Standardzulassungen f r FertigarzneimittelText and Kommentar. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP). 1996. Exeter, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association. 9091.

Bundesanzeiger (BAnz). 1998. Monographien der Kommission E (Zulassungs- und Aufbereitungskommission am BGA f r den humanmed. Bereich, phytotherapeutische Therapierichtung und Stoffgruppe). Kln: Bundesgesundheitsamt (BGA).

Chodera, A., K. Dabrowska, A. Sloderbach, L. Skrzypczak, J. Budzianowski. 1991. Wplyw frakcji flawonoidowych gatunkow rodzaju Solidago L. na diureze i ste~zenie elektrolitow [Effect of flavonoid fractions of Solidago virgaurea L on diuresis and levels of electrolytes] Acta Pol Pharm 48(56):3537.

Deutsches Arzneibuch (DAB 1997). 1997. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Deutscher Arzneimittel-Codex (DAC). 1986. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Dittmann, J. 1973. Wirkungen von Extrakten aus Solidago virgaurea auf den Stoffwechsel von Kaninchen-Hirnschnitten [Effect of extracts from Solidago virgaurea on the metabolism of rabbit brain slices] (author's transl.). Planta Med 24(4):329336.

ESCOP. 1997. 'Virgaureae herba.' Monographs on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. Exeter, U.K.: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy.

el-Ghazaly, M., M.T. Khayyal, S.N. Okpanyi, M. Arens-Corell. 1992. Study of the anti-inflammatory activity of Populus tremula, Solidago virgaurea and Fraxinus excelsior.Arzneimforsch 42(3):333336.

Grieve, M. 1979. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

Hnsel, R., K. Keller, H. Rimpler, G. Schneider (eds.). 19921994. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5th ed. Vol. 46. Berlin-Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.

Leuschner, J. 1995. Anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and diuretic effects of a commercially available Solidago gigantea Herb. extract. Arzneimforsch 45(2):165168.

Ludt, H. and J. Dittmann. 1972. Rechnerische und graphische Auswertung von manometrischen Stoffwechselmessungen mit einer elektronischen Rechenanlage. Beispiel: Atmung und Glykolyse von Hirntumor-Schnitten unter dem Einfluss von Solidago-Extrakt [Mathematical and graphical evaluation of manometric measurements on metabolism using an electronic computer. Example: respiration and glycolysis in brain tumor sections, as influenced by Solidago extract]. Z Med Labortech 13(1):7984.

Meyer-Buchtela, E. 1999. Tee-RezepturenEin Handbuch f r Apotheker und rzte. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Meyer, B., W. Schneider, E.F. Elstner. 1995. Antioxidative properties of alcoholic extracts from Fraxinus excelsior, Populus tremula and Solidago virgaurea. Arzneimforsch 45(2):174176.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, OR: Timber Press. 536538.

Strehl, E., W. Schneider, E.F. Elstner. 1995. Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase activity by alcoholic extracts from Fraxinus excelsior, Populus tremula and Solidago virgaurea. Arzneimforsch 45(2):172173.

Tyler, V.E. 1994. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press.

von Kruedener, S., W. Schneider, E.F. Elstner. 1995. A combination of Populus tremula, Solidago virgaurea and Fraxinus excelsior as an anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drug. A short review. Arzneimforsch 45(2):169171.

. 1996. Effects of extracts from Populus tremula L., Solidago virgaurea L. and Fraxinus excelsior L. on various myeloperoxidase systems. Arzneimforsch 46(8):809814.

Weiss, R.F. 1991. Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie, 7th ed. Stuttgart: Hippokrates. 304306.

Wichtl, M. 1996. MonographienKommentar. In: Braun, R. et al. 1997. Standardzulassungen f r FertigarzneimittelText and Kommentar. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.

Additional Resources

Boyle, W. 1995. Overview: History of Naturopathic Botanical Medicine. Protocol J Botanical Med 1(2):1116.

Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing.

Okpanyi, S.N., R. Schirpke-von Paczensky, D. Dickson. 1989. [Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect of various plant extracts and their combinations in an animal model] [In German]. Arzneimforsch 39(6):698703.

Priest, A.W. and L.R. Priest. 1982. Herbal Medication, A Clinical and Dispensatory Handbook. Essex, U.K.: L.N. Fowler & Co., Ltd.

Schatzle, M., M. Agathos, R. Breit. 1998. Allergic contact dermatitis from goldenrod (Herba solidaginis) after systemic administration. Contact Dermatitis 39(5):271272.

This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E MonographsTherapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.

1) The Overview section is new information.

2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.

3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:

  • Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
  • Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
  • Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
  • Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml

4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.

This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.

Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council
Published by Integrative Medicine Communications
Available from the American Botanical Council.