The Consumer Guide to Goldenseal Root

In this guide...
  Source
  Benefits and Uses
  Do Scientists Know Why It Works?
  Latest Findings
  Safety
  What Type Of Goldenseal Products Are Available?
  References
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Source Goldenseal is the dried, yellow rhizome and rootlets of a small woodland-floor plant (Hydrastis canadensis) native to eastern North America. The herb’s growing popularity has made it increasingly rare in the wild, leading a number of states to list the plant as "endangered."

Benefits and uses Goldenseal has both internal and external applications. It is taken orally to alleviate colds and fevers, stop recurrent ear infections, and stimulate the immune system. Its ability to counter microbes and parasites makes it useful in conditions such as vaginitis and urinary tract infections, and digestive ailments such as infectious diarrhea.

Herbalists often recommend it topically for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic actions, which make it useful to clean wounds, reduce hemorrhoids, soothe canker sores, and alleviate skin infections (including ringworm and athlete’s foot). It can also help treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

Goldenseal root was used by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Iroqouis, as a yellow dye and for health conditions ranging from topical inflammations, debility, cancer, and dyspepsia to whooping cough, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever and sour stomach. European settlers of the 18th century used a goldenseal root wash for eye inflammations.

Folk uses expanded during the 19th and 20th centuries, to include inflammations and infections of the mucus membranes (e.g., canker sores and sore gums or throat), skin sores, cancers, bleeding, menstrual complaints, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, constipation, ringworm, acne, genitourinary infections, thrush, and snake bite.

 

Do scientists know why it works? Goldenseal's major healing compounds are thought to be alkaloid compounds called hydrastine and berberine. The latter has been more widely researched; studies have shown that it can kill microbes, reduce inflammation, and possibly stimulate immunity.

Latest findings Studies have recently explored the mechanisms by which berberine inhibits certain human cancer cells and reduces inflammation, and found that berberine is more effective in clearing a malaria-related parasite than tetracycline.

Safety Goldenseal is generally safe when taken as directed. It is potent enough, however, that it shouldn’t be taken in large amounts (which may cause gastrointestinal distress and possible nervous system effects) or over a long term (don’t exceed three weeks of continuous use without a break of at least two weeks). Goldenseal is not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating.

 

What types of goldenseal products are available? Liquid extracts and capsules that contain the whole, dried herb are the most popular products. Goldenseal is frequently sold and consumed in combination with other herbs. For example, herbal companies often combine goldenseal with herbs such as echinacea, garlic, and elderberry in cold and flu formulas. Cayenne, myrrh, and dandelion are also paired with goldenseal. Topical healing salves often include goldenseal.

References

  • Wu, S.N., et al., "Inhibitory effects of berberine on voltage- and calcium-activated potassium currents in human myeloma cells," Life Sci (1998), 62(25):2283-94
  • Ckless, K., et al., "Inhibition of in-vitro lymphocyte transformation by the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine," J Pharm Pharmacol (1995), 47(12A):1029-31
  • Sheng, W.D., et al., "Treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria using pyrimethamine in combination with berberine, tetracycline or cotrimoxazole," East Afr Med J (1997), 74(5):283-4

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