Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a herbal plant has been used to treat medical conditions for hundreds of years. In 1798, Benjamin Smith Barton included it in his Essays Towards a Materia Medica of the United States, noting that American Indian groups used it for treating a wide range of conditions, including whooping cough, liver disease, eye infections, fever, diarrhea, pneumonia and even cancer. By the late 18th century, Americans were using it as something of a cure-all, and trade in the herb flourished.
Despite only a relatively small numbers of clinical trials, and the efficacy of modern medicine, many people still rely on this herb today for treating a huge variety of illnesses. By 2009, around 113,400kg (250,000 lb) of goldenseal root was being traded globally, and it is one of the top-selling herbal supplements in the USA today.
What is Goldenseal Used to Cure Today?
Many people swear by goldenseal for common ailments (such as colds and wounds) as well as long-term (chronic) conditions. It is well known as an eye tonic (hence its other names: eye bright, eye balm and eye root). Studies have shown that it is the combination of its three main alkaloids – berberine, hydrastine and canadine – that makes it more powerful than the sum of its parts (1).
Goldenseal is used as an antibiotic, antiseptic, astringent, immunostimulatory, anticonvulsant and sedative; but it is particularly noted for its powerful and immediate action on mucous membrane inflammatory and infectious conditions – anywhere in the body. It has antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi and parasites, and seems to be effective at preventing the overgrowth of yeast following antibiotic treatment. It shows promise against even tuberculosis (Gentry et al, 1998).
Goldenseal inhibits the adhesion of bacteria to host tissue in the intestines, thereby preventing infections in the gut. It increases blood supply to the spleen, activates macrophages (white blood cells that destroy pathogens in the body), and stimulates secretion of bile. Goldenseal seems to aid in eliminating toxins from the kidney, liver and blood (Foster, 1989).
Studies have also looked at goldenseal's ability to fight tumor cells (2). It has been shown to be effective in shrinking cancer tumors – in vitro studies have shown that berberine (goldenseal's main constituent) used alone at a dose of 150 mcg/ml have an average cancer cell kill rate in human brain tumors of 91%. (3)
There is some evidence suggests that goldenseal works effectively in cases of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's disease and goitre, as cited by Ellingwood, in his American Materia Medica. He claimed to have cured 25 people using goldenseal alone, when both iodine and thyroid extract had been ineffective.
How Does Goldenseal Work On The Body?
The chief constituents of goldenseal are found at the greatest quantities in its rhizome – the "creeping root" that is actually a horizontal stem of the plant growing underground, sending out roots and shoots. The Hydrastis rhizome is notable for containing the following isoquinoline alkaloids:
- Berberine (3.5–4.6%): a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that has been demonstrated to be anti-carcinogenic, anticonvulsive, and antibacterial (4). It is said to be effective against bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths and chlamydia (5) (6)
- β-hydrastine (2–4%): demonstrated to have astringent action
- Canadine - proven to exert a "significant antioxidant activity with low toxic effect" (7)
- Canadaline
Berberine and beta-hydrastine are thought to exert the strongest effect, and these two elements have been clinically tested. However, the alkaloids work together synergistically to produce effects beyond any attributable to one alkaloid alone, such as goldenseal's ability to drastically reduce muscle spasm.
Goldenseal is also considered to be a synergistic herb, which means that it increases the effectiveness of other herbs and medical drugs. It is often used in combination with echinacea. However, its strong interaction with other herbs and medical drugs means that there are many instances in which you should be cautious in using goldenseal, or avoid using it altogether.
Should I Take Goldenseal, or Would It Make My Condition Worse?
References:
- Response of rabbit detrusor muscle to total extract and major alkaloids of Hydrastis canadensis"; P. Bolle, M. F. Cometa, M. Palmery, P. Tucci; Pytotherapy Research, vol 12, Issue S1, pp.S86–S88.
- Nishino H, Kitagawa K, Fujiki H, Iwashima A. Berberine sulfate inhibits tumor-promoting activity of teleocidin in two-stage carcinogenesis on mouse skin. Oncology 1986;43:131-4.
- Zhang RX, et al. Laboratory studies of berberine use alone and in combination with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea to treat malignant brain tumors. Chin Med J 1990;103:658-65
- Birdsall TC, Kelly GS: Berberine: therapeutic potential of an alkaloid found in several medicinal plants. Altern Med Rev 1997, 2:94-103.
- Berberine. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):175-7.
- Antibacterial activity of Hydrastis canadensis extract and its major isolated alkaloids"; Scazzocchio F, Cometa MF, Tomassini L, Palmery M. Planta Med. 2001 Aug;67(6):561-4.
- "Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of canadine : Biological effects and structural aspect"; R.Correche, A.Andujar, R. Kurdelas, M. Gomez Lechon, M. Freile, D Enriz; Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 2008, vol. 16, no7, pp. 3641-3651.
Sarah Tomley - Sarah is an editor and writer who has been working in the UK publishing industry for over 18 years. She has an honours degree in ...
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