Herbs & Supplements:
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Principal Proposed Uses
•
Topical Uses, Poorly Healing Sores, Fungal Infections, Inflamed Mucous Membranes, Internal Uses, Minor Digestive Problems, Sore Throat
Other Proposed Uses
•
Urinary Tract Infections
Incorrect Uses
•
"Immune Stimulant", "Antibiotic" for Common Cold, Masking Positive Findings on Drug Screens
Although goldenseal root is one of the most popular herbs sold today, it is taken almost entirely for the wrong reasons (see What Is Goldenseal Used for Today?). Originally, it was used by Native Americans both as a dye and as a treatment for skin disorders, digestive problems, liver disease, diarrhea, and eye irritations. European settlers learned of the herb from the Iroquois and other tribes and quickly adopted goldenseal as a part of early colonial medical care.
In the early 1800s, a flamboyant herbalist named Samuel Thompson created a wildly popular system of medicine (some would say personality cult) that swept the country. Thompson spoke of goldenseal in glowing terms, as a nearly magical cure for many conditions. His evangelism led to a dramatic upsurge in demand, followed by overcollection and decimation of the wild plant. Prices skyrocketed and then collapsed when Thompsonianism faded away.
Goldenseal has passed through several more booms and busts. Today, it is again in great demand, but now it is under intentional cultivation.
What Is Goldenseal Used for Today?
Contemporary herbalists often use goldenseal as a topical antibiotic for skin wounds and infections, including fungal infections. While there are no reliable scientific studies that directly support this use, goldenseal (primarily due to its berberine content) has been found to inhibit or kill many microorganisms, including fungi, protozoa and bacteria.1,2,10-14
Goldenseal probably only exerts this effect as it comes in direct contact with microorganisms; it is not likely to work as an oral antibiotic, because the blood levels of berberine that can be achieved by taking goldenseal orally are far too low to matter.3 However, goldenseal could theoretically be beneficial in treating sore throats and diseases of the digestive tract because it can contact the affected area directly. Since berberine is concentrated in the bladder, goldenseal could be useful for bladder infections. However, there is no real evidence that goldenseal is effective for any of these uses.
Based on very weak evidence, it has been suggested that goldenseal or berberine may be helpful for various heart related conditions, including arrythmias and high blood pressure.15,16
Similarly weak evidence has been used to claim that goldenseal can relax spasms of the digestive tract and other spasms caused by contractions of smooth (involuntary) muscle,17and also reduce inflammation.18
Tradition suggests that goldenseal may help relieve the clogged sinuses and chest congestion that can linger after the acute phase of a cold, but there is no scientific evidence to support this use.
Ironically, goldenseal’s most common uses are entirely inappropriate. Goldenseal is frequently combined with echinacea to be taken as an "immune booster" and "antibiotic" for the prevention and treatment of colds. However, as the noted herbalist Paul Bergner has pointed out, there are three things wrong with this packaging: (1) there is no credible evidence that goldenseal increases immunity (Only one study even hints at an immune strengthening effect, and it hints weakly.)19; (2) the herb was never used historically as an early treatment for colds; and (3) antibiotics aren't effective against colds anyway.4 Nevertheless, the echinacea in these products may be helpful, at the least
The other myth that has helped drive the sales of goldenseal is the widespread street belief that it can block a positive drug screen. The origin of this false idea dates back to a work of fiction published in 1900 by a pharmacist and author named John Uri Lloyd. In Stringtown on the Pike, Lloyd's most successful novel, a dead man is found to have traces of goldenseal in his stomach. In fact, he had taken goldenseal regularly as a digestive aid, but a toxicology expert mistakes the goldenseal for strychnine, and deduces intentional murder.
This work of fiction sufficed to create a folkloric connection between goldenseal and drug testing. Although the goldenseal in the story actually made a drug test come out falsely positive, this has been turned around to become a belief that goldenseal can make urine drug screens come out negative. A word to the wise: It doesn't work.
Dosage
When used as a topical for skin wounds, a sufficient quantity of goldenseal cream, ointment, or powder should be applied to cover the wound. Make sure to clean the wound at least once a day to prevent goldenseal particles from being trapped in the healing tissues.
For mouth sores and sore throats, goldenseal tincture may be swished or gargled. Goldenseal may also be used as strong tea for this purpose, made by boiling 0.5 to 1 g in a cup of water. Goldenseal tea can also be used as a douche for vaginal candidiasis.
For oral use, a typical dosage of goldenseal is 250 to 500 mg 3 times daily. Goldenseal is generally only taken for a couple of weeks at most.
Safety Issues
Although there are no reports of severe adverse effects attributable to use of goldenseal, this herb has not undergone extensive safety testing.
One study suggests that topical use of goldenseal could cause photosensitivity (an increased tendency to react to sun exposure).20
Goldenseal should not be used by pregnant women, for at least three reasons: goldenseal has been reported to cause uterine contractions and berberine may increase levels of bilirubin and cause genetic damage.7,8,21 The last of these effects indicates that individuals with elevated bilirubin levels (jaundice) should also avoid use of goldenseal. Safety in young children, nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is also not established.
Just as there are incorrect rumors regarding the benefits of goldenseal, there are popular but incorrect beliefs regarding its health risks. For example, it is often said that goldenseal can disrupt the normal bacteria of the intestines. However, there is no scientific evidence that this occurs. Another fallacy is that small overdoses of goldenseal are toxic, causing ulcerations of the stomach and other mucous membranes. This idea is based on a misunderstanding of old literature.6
One study suggests that goldenseal might interact with various medications by altering the way they are metabolized in the liver, but the extent of this potential effect has not been fully determined.9
View References
Last reviewed June 2002 by Medical Review Board
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