Side Effects of Golden Seal

Goldenseal is known by many other names: eye balm, eye root, ground raspberry, Indian dye, jaundice root, yellow puccoon and yellow root.



There isn't any scientific evidence to support the effectiveness or safety of goldenseal use for any health condition, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). There is very little research concerning the long-term side effects of goldenseal. The American Cancer Society reports that goldenseal can have many toxic side effects and high dosages can cause death.

Circulatory Side Effects

• Goldenseal may raise blood pressure.

  The active compound in goldenseal known as berberine can disrupt heart rhythms, reports the American Cancer Society, and another active ingredient (hydrastine) can raise blood pressure.

Jaundice

• The berberine in goldenseal can cause jaundice in newborns, a condition that is associated with brain damage and deafness, reports the NCCAM. Goldenseal's side effects on the liver can cause bilirubin to build up in the brain, causing permanent brain damage and even death.

Other Nervous System Effects

• Goldenseal side effects include digestive complaints such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting. Goldenseal may cause breathing problems, depression, paralysis, seizures and even death. Long-term use of goldenseal can cause vitamin B deficiencies, delirium and hallucinations.

Fertility

• Goldenseal may affect sperm motility in men.

  Another goldenseal side effect may be reduced fertility. Berberine reduces sperm activity in bulls and goldenseal may tighten the womb in women, causing miscarriage or premature labor reports the American Cancer Society.

Skin and Drug Processing

• Goldenseal may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

  Goldenseal has the potential to make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation, reports the American Cancer Society. In addition, goldenseal's effects on the liver may change the way the body processes other drugs and alter their side effects.

Unknown Concentrations

• You never know what you're really getting in herbal remedies.

  Other herbs containing berberine are often substituted for goldenseal, reports the NCCAM. Chinese goldthread and Oregon grape may be used in such formulations and cause different side effects. A 2003 study found vast differences in the concentration of goldenseal components in different products, according to the American Cancer Society. Some contained hardly any berberine or hydrastine while others contained compounds not normally found in goldenseal.