As with many medicinal plants, goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has a very long history.
In fact, goldenseal is so popular it was nearly loved to death. As early as 1884, dramatic declines in wild populations occurred due to overharvesting and deforestation. As recently as 1997, goldenseal was listed on Appendix II of the Convention for International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international treaty monitoring trade in threatened and endangered species.
Fortunately, cultivation of this herb is fairly easy, and its numbers seem to be on the rise, however, the dramatic declines in wild populations of goldenseal will likely never reverse.
Goldenseal is a perennial, woodland forb in the buttercup family. The name is derived from the underground rhizome, which is yellow with a golden sap. In the spring, the plant produces a flowering stem with two, large hairy leaves, palmately cut into five to seven lobes, and with prominent veins. The flower rises from the base of the sessile upper leaf.
Goldenseal spreads into the surrounding area through growth of the rhizomes and fibrous roots. Usually two buds form near the base of the stem on the rhizome for the next season’s growth. The plant dies down slowly after the fruit matures.
Historically, goldenseal has been used as a general tonic, especially for treating inflammations of the digestive system, but also as a topical treatment for skin and ear infections. In addition, the extract has been used to mask illegal drugs during urine tests (it doesn’t). The rhizome also produces a natural, yellow dye.
Cherokee Indians used the bitter tasting root of goldenseal for many purposes, such as an antiseptic and to treat snakebite. Iroquois Indians used it to treat whooping cough, pneumonia and digestive disorders. Early American pioneers used it primarily as an eyewash and to treat sore throats, mouth sores and digestive disorders.
Commercial demand for the root began in about 1860. It is now a top selling herb in North America and can be found in many formulations in stores across the country.
Most of goldenseal’s purported health effects are attributed to its active phytochemical alkaloid compounds berberine, hydrastine and canadine.
Today, the No. 1 health benefit associated with goldenseal is to treat upper respiratory tract infections and the common cold. That’s because goldenseal is viewed as a powerful natural antibiotic, recommended especially for colds and flu. It reportedly enhances the effects of echinacea, another popular herbal cold remedy and is frequently added to other herbal preparations.
People also take goldenseal for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and yeast infections. The prevalent belief is that berberine may stop bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder, potentially preventing or helping treat a UTI.
Berberine may also help keep Candida albicans, a fungus that’s naturally present in the human body, from multiplying in excess.
Along the same lines, many believe goldenseal may help treat herpes and chlamydia infections.
It’s also believed that berberine in goldenseal and other plants like goldenseal may help with acne and even psoriasis. The natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of goldenseal are said to calm redness and fight acne-causing bacteria, and the natural astringent properties stimulate blood flow to the epidermis, which leads to quicker healing of acne. Goldenseal salves are used as an herbal solution for common itchy rashes, fungal conditions and inflamed wounds as well as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
Additionally, there may be oral health benefits from goldenseal. It is sometimes used to prevent tooth infections and help sooth inflamed gums.
Then there’s goldenseal extract that may help with digestion, especially in regards to fighting bacterium that can infect the lining of your stomach, causing stomach ulcers as well as gastroenteritis. Again, it’s the berberine in goldenseal that may provide digestive relief.
There are also claims that goldenseal may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as be beneficial to people with type 2 diabetes.
Generally, you can find goldenseal root extract in tablet or capsule form, typically taken in amounts of 4 to 6 grams three times a day. Goldenseal powder or tincture is also available.
Goldenseal tea is also popular, and is touted by its believers as providing a range of health benefits.
Many brands of salves and cosmetic creams now list goldenseal as an ingredient. Amazon offers a purer form of goldenseal root cream.
Goldenseal appears to be well tolerated, however, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and even reduced liver function have been reported.
Perhaps a bigger concern is that the proper dosage amount is ill defined. Also, there has been little research done about the safety of long-term use or high dosages.
Consumers should also be certain to read ingredient labels because there have been instances of products containing goldenseal when in actuality, little or no goldenseal was present. This is largely due to goldenseal’s high cost.
Regarding goldenseal for the common cold, human studies are sorely lacking. However, ample cell and animal studies indicate that berberine, one of the main active compounds in goldenseal, may help fight infections caused by bacteria and viruses – including the common cold viruses.
Consumers will also find over the counter medications that combine goldenseal with echinacea, another medicinal plant associated with cold fighting properties. However, to date, there are no clinical trials that show the two medicinal plants together work better than separately at relieving cold symptoms.
The science behind goldenseal helping with urinary tract and yeast infections is much more encouraging. For example, in one particular study, people with recurrent urinary tract infections were given a mix of herbal extracts containing berberine. This study group proved to be less likely to experience another urinary tract infection than those given no berberine.
There is also evidence that the berberine from goldenseal may interfere with the viral replication cycle after virus penetration and no later that the viral DNA synthesis step to help treat oral herpes.
Lab studies have also found that goldenseal’s antibacterial properties might help treat STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia – but there is no scientific proof that goldenseal can cure STIs.
But science is still not prepared to back the efficacy of goldenseal in treating acne and psoriasis. Nonhuman trials have shown promising results. However, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), “Chemical drugs seem to still be the first choice in the treatment of acne and skin infections.”
There have been limited studies that indicated using goldenseal as a toothpaste or mouthwash may help sooth gums or protect against tooth infections. But the general consensus in the scientific community is that much more research is needed to verify goldenseal’s oral health characteristics.
Test tube studies show that goldenseal extract most likely can be effective at fighting both H. pylori and C. jejuni bacterium, the main causes of stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis. Studies also suggest that the berberine compound in goldenseal may reduce sugar absorption from the gut, lower insulin resistance and promote insulin secretion. These are factors that may help people with type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
Additionally, the claims that goldenseal may help may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels has actual scientific backing based on limited human trials. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports that “goldenseal is a natural LDL-lowering agent with multiple bioactive components.”
A lot of non-proven health claims have been connected to goldenseal, including a rumor a few years ago that goldenseal could mask a positive drug screen – a false idea that was part of a novel written by pharmacist and author John Uri Lloyd.
However, that’s not to say that goldenseal is void of health benefits. Goldenseal tests out best empirically as a possible aid for relieving symptoms of urinary tract and yeast infections, followed by helping with stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis.
There’s also good evidence that goldenseal may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It is surprising there haven’t been more human studies regarding the efficacy of goldenseal, especially considering this plant was nearly decimated due to its popularity and resultant over-collection as a medicinal herb.
