Goldenrod and ragweed grow near each other in country fields and alongside busy roads, and the two plants share a reputation for causing hay fever, or allergic rhinitis. Characterized by sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose and itching, allergic rhinitis affects 10 percent to 30 percent of American adults, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Exposure to hay does not cause rhinitis, and hay fever does not result in a high fever.
Goldenrod and Allergies
Despite its reputation, goldenrod does not cause rhinitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Goldenrod is native to Europe but has spread to many parts of the globe, including the United States, because of its ability to crossbreed with other plants. Goldenrod blooms appear in August and September, about the same time as pollens from ragweed begin to accumulate in the air. Some people may develop a rash or other symptoms of allergic dermatitis when they come into physical contact with goldenrod, but this type of allergic reaction is different than the seasonal allergies associated with rhinitis.
Effects of Goldenrod
Historically, medical caregivers have used goldenrod to treat wounds and to reduce fluid, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Practitioners of alternative medicine sometimes use goldenrod for inflammation in the mouth, to encourage healing in stubborn wounds or in tea to address urinary problems, such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Goldenrod may act as a diuretic and may have anti-inflammatory properties; however, current studies have not produced evidence to support the use of goldenrod in this manner. Never use goldenrod on open wounds. Before starting any new treatments, consult your doctor first.
Ragweed Allergies
Ragweed is the culprit in most seasonal allergies. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that ragweed is the predominant cause of allergic rhinitis in the United States. Allergy to ragweed affects about 75 percent of all allergy sufferers. These people feel symptomatic during the period from late August to the first frost, just about the same time as goldenrod blooms its tall columns of bright yellow flowers.
Rhinitis
The ragweed plant does not sport beautiful blossoms like the goldenrod, but one ragweed plant can produce about 1 million pollen grains a day. You breathe these grains into your nose where the pollen comes into contact with your mucus membranes. This pollen invasion sets off a chain of physiologic events choreographed by your immune system, resulting in sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose and itchy eyes.
