Benefits of Goldenseal

The benefits of goldenseal are enhanced when this useful herb is combined with other herbs. While limited scientific studies have been done on the benefits of goldenseal, a long history of use by Native American tribes of North America make goldenseal a popular choice for colds, flu, and various infections diseases.

Goldenseal may be taken in capsule form.

About Goldenseal

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) is a wild plant that grows throughout North America, particularly in the northeastern part of the continent. It is part of the buttercup family, and the flowers slightly resemble the perennial buttercup growing in many people's gardens. The government classifies wild goldenseal as endangered, but companies such as Gaia Herbs work hard to preserve plants in the wild and encourage their cultivation and protection whenever possible. Herbalists create tinctures, teas and capsules from the roots and underground portion of goldenseal.

Benefits of Goldenseal

Many reputed benefits of goldenseal are claimed but little modern, formal research to back up its health claims. One compound found in goldenseal that has been studied is called berberine. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), berberine shows some promise fighting infections, especially eye infections and infectious diarrhea. The government currently funds several studies on goldenseal and berberine, but results aren't in yet.

Historical Benefits of Goldenseal

Historically, herbalists recommend goldenseal to treat:

• Colds and respiratory infections, especially when symptoms include green or yellow mucous
• Influenza when accompanied by mucous
• Infectious diarrhea
• Eye infections
• Vaginal infections such as candida
• Cancer

Today, most herbalists agree that the benefits of goldenseal encompass infection but may exclude cancer treatment.

Goldenseal and Infection

Goldenseal fights infection in unexpected ways. Unlike typical antibiotics, which disrupt or kill bacteria to cure an infection, goldenseal appears to stimulate certain types of mucous made by the body and inhibit others. Herbalists believe that this creates a natural condition unfavorable to the invading bacterial, allowing the body's defenses time to fight the bacteria naturally. This action appears to be enhanced when goldenseal is combined with other herbs. Echinacea and goldenseal, for example, is a popular combination to fight the common cold. The benefits of goldenseal are enhanced when it is combined in formulas with multiple herbs and when taken as a whole herb rather than berberine extract, the active ingredient and the one currently being scrutinized in research studies.

Using Goldenseal

Goldenseal may be taken as a tincture, tea or capsule. It's frequently combined with other herbs in formulas marketed to fight colds and other disorders. No major side effects of goldenseal are experienced when it is taken properly. Don't take more than the recommended dose on the package, and always consult a physician if your symptoms worsen. If you're pregnant or nursing, avoid goldenseal, since it is unknown whether it crosses the placental barrier or is excreted in breast milk.

Unlike typical cold remedies, goldenseal is not taken at the first sign of a cold. It's action appears to be most powerful when taken after the cold has developed and mucous is present. If you consider that the action may be on the mucous membranes themselves and not necessarily on the invading bacteria, you'll understand why you should wait to take goldenseal until your running nose blossoms. Other herbs can be taken at the first sign of a cold or to prevent a cold, such as Echinacea.

Goldenseal Folklore

If you're exploring the benefits of goldenseal and are hoping to use it to mask drug abuse for a drug test, think again. It's a myth that goldenseal hides the use of narcotics. In the early 20th century, trainers gave race horses goldenseal in the hopes of masking the use of morphine and pain killers, but the narcotics were always detectable in urine tests. Goldenseal may actually give a false-positive in humans in urine drug tests. If your company gives random drugs tests or you know you'll need to take a drug test, avoid goldenseal for several days or weeks prior to the test.

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