Goldenseal Root & Herb

Goldenseal is an herb valued for its medicinal properties. The root of the goldenseal plant contains the highest concentrations of active medicinal ingredients. Native Americans introduced this herb and its medicinal preparations to pioneers. Originally goldenseal was wild-crafted from the forest. However, because of its widespread popularity and large demand, goldenseal has been cultivated in North America since the 1900s. You can still find goldenseal in the woods, but over-harvesting has rendered goldenseal endangered in some states, including North Carolina.

Active Compounds

• Berberine is one of the known active compounds found in goldenseal. The National Institutes of Health National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) states that, "Clinical studies on a compound found in goldenseal, berberine, suggest that the compound may be beneficial for certain infections" including but not limited to "some types of diarrhea, as well as some eye infections."

  A second known active component of goldenseal with healing properties is hydrastine. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) reports that "The hydrastine component induces constriction of peripheral blood vessels."

Available Forms

• Goldenseal comes in a variety of forms and can be easily found in the supplement section of health food stores. The powdered root comes in both tablets and capsules. Liquid extracts like tinctures are another method of ingestion. Goldenseal is often seen alongside the herb echinacea in tinctures recommended to treat colds and flu.

Recommended Dosage

• The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends the following goldenseal dosages for adults. When taking capsules or tablets orally, consume "500 - 2,000 mg, up to 3 times daily." Employ goldenseal tincture to disinfect wounds. Place 20 to 40 drops on a clean cloth and press gently against the affected area. Make your own eye wash with 1 cup of distilled or sterilized water just short of boiling, the contents of one golden seal capsule and a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt. Allow the mix to steep for up to 10 minutes, stir and strain out all particles using clean cheese cloth. Cool to room temperature and flush the eye using an eye cup.

Contraindications

• The use of goldenseal root is not indicated for everyone. The NCCAM warns that pregnant women should not consume berberine because it can initiate premature uterine contractions. Additionally, berberine can be transferred through breast milk. MSKCC cautions that "Patients who have hypertension or cardiovascular disease" should not consume goldenseal root either.