Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora, Asteraceae): A medicine, tea, and state herb

Abstract

Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora) has a long history of medicinal use by Native Americans and was exported for tea in the nineteenth century. In 1996 sweet goldenrod was proclaimed the State Herb of Delaware. The essential oil of flowering tops of S. odora f. odora originally from Maryland is characterized by 70.81 ± 3.82% methyl chavicol (estragole) and 12.45 ± 2.26% myrcene, while the essential oil of flowering tops of S. odora f. inodora from Delaware is characterized by 31.28 ± 13.26% myrcene, 27.09 ± 4.13% limonene, and 12.89 ± 4.41% (E)-methyl isoeugenol. While no toxic principles could be found in the essential oil, further study is still needed to confirm that the toxicity reported in previous studies is due entirely to infestations by goldenrod rust, Coleosporium asterum.