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Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis
Goldenseal
Goldenseal flower

Benefits | Preparation | Medicinal Uses | Side Effects | Plant | Folklore |

Common Names
Goldenseal ,
Botanical Name
Hydrastis canadensis
Family
RANUNCULACEAE
Goldenseal Medicinal Properties & Benefits
Common Uses: Abrasions/Cuts * Bronchitis * Colds * Conjunctivitis * Diarrhea * Eczema * Eye care - Vision * Fungus Infections * Gingivitis * Immune System * Parasites/Worms * Psoriasis *
Properties: Antiseptic* Antifungal* AntiViral* Hepatic* Antiparasite* Immunostimulant*
Parts Used: primarily the root, to a lesser extent leaves
Constituents:Hydrastine, berberine, berberastine, canadine, candaline, and hydrastinine, fatty acids, resin, polyphenolic acids, meconin, chlorogenic acid, phytosterins
Goldenseal is widely used in many herbal salves and ointments as a contact disinfectant. The root contains berberine and hydrastine which give goldenseal a broad-spectrum antibacterial action.
Goldenseal Remedies
remedy Prep Methods :tincture, tea, poultice
  1. Show All
  2. Antibacterial Face Wash
  3. Bacteria Fighting Gum Rinse
  4. Boil Treatment
  5. Goldenseal leaf oil
  6. Herbal compress for eyestrain
  7. Herbal Eye Wash
  8. Pinkeye compress
  9. Tinctures for gums
  10. Tooth Pain Paste
  11. Yoni personal dusting powder
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referencesGoldenseal Medicinal Uses & References
Skin care, antibioctic
Goldenseal is uses in skin care applications for its wide spectrum antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Goldenseal makes a good topical antiseptic for minor injuries. 985
Immune system tonic
Goldenseal stimulates blood flow to the spleen, which filters the blood and stimulates the immune system. 1107

(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Mouth infections, ulcers
A poultice or tincture of goldenseal can be applied directly for infections and ulcers of the mouth. 1108
gastrointestinal diarrhea
The plant performs at least as well as pharmaceuticals against diarrhea and other gastrointestinal bugs. 1109

(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Berberine eliminates and treats vision-impairing trachoma infections. Use goldenseal as an astringent and antibacterial eyewash to quickly reduces redness and inflammation. 1105

(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Bacteria, fungi
Berberine and other supporting substances in goldenseal trigger white blood cells to seek out bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even tumor cells. 1106
Upper respiratory infections
Berberine prevents viruses like streptococci from latching onto our cells, thus preventing common infections. An effective treatment for upper respiratory infections. 1111

(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )

Parasites, worms
Combines well with garlic as an anti-parasitic treatment 878
Side Effects:
Goldenseal is not for long-term use. Large doses of the might irritate the mouth or cause diarrhea or vomiting.
Plant Description

Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis -Illustration, Charles F. Millspaugh -1879

This low perennial herb, now becoming quite rare in this State (N. Y.), grows from 6 to 10 inches high, its leaves and fruit much resembling those of the raspberry. Rhizome thick, sarcous, oblong, irregular, and knotted, having a yellowish-brown, thin bark, and a bright-yellow interior; rootlets numerous, scattered, coriaceous fibres. Stem simple, subcylindrical, thick, erect, and very hairy, surrounded, at its point of issuance from the rootstalk, by several oblong, sheathing, scaphoid, greenish yellow, leafy bracts. Leaves 2, alternate, near the summit of the plant, orbicular-cordate at the base, palmately five- to seven-lobed, the lobes doubly serrate, acute, veiny; attaining, when full grown during the fruil ing season, a width of from 4 to 10 inches. Peduncle about I inch long; inflorescence—when fully expanded—a single, greenish-white, apetalous, ase-palous flower. Sepals 3, pale-rose color, caducous. Petals none. Stamens numerous; filaments linear or linear-spatulate; anthers oval, innate. Pistils numerous, twelve or more in a dense head; ovary i-celled, one- to two-ovuled; styles short; stigma flattened and dilated, one- to two-lipped. Fruit a succulent, globose berry.. (Millspaugh, Charles F.,[9-2]31)
Folklore, Myths and Legends
History and Traditions
historyGoldenseal is a folk medicine staple whose uses as an antibiotic and antiseptic was imparted to settlers from Native Americans. Goldenseal once grew wild in the shady forests of eastern from Minnesota and Vermont south into Georgia, but the population has declined in the wild due to over harvesting and loss of habitat. Today the only remaining stands of wild goldenseal are isolated in the northern and central Appalachians and the Ozark mountains. Insist on cultivated goldenseal only when purchasing this herb, or consider substituting Oregon grape root, a naturally abundant member of the barberry family that also contains an impressive amount of berberine.
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