The Use of Extracts of Goldenrod (Solidago Virgaurea L.) for the Treatment of Diseases of the Urinary Tract

Abstract

This review examines the pharmacological and clinical data on the use of extracts of goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) for the treatment of diseases of the urinary system. Goldenrod extracts exhibit 6 major pharmacological effects: anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antispasmodic, analgesic and diuretic. Results of open non-randomized studies have shown the possibility of using extracts of goldenrod for the treatment of infectious (cystitis) and functional (irritable bladder) urinary tract di­seases. Evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment as «good» and «very good», which gave doctors and patients at the end of therapy, reached 90–100% level. For the manifestation of the therapeutic effect of the drug it was enough to take it 2–4 weeks. Side effects were rare — in larger studies, their frequency did not exceed 0.3% and they were of mild severity and were limited mainly to gastro-intestinal disorders and allergic reactions. Overall, treatment was well tolerated. Conclusions. Extracts of goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea L.) can be used in the complex therapy of diseases of the urinary tract to increase the effectiveness of therapy, to accelerate the recovery of patients and to reduce the likelihood of relapses.

Keywords

• goldenrod
• cystitis
• irritable bladder