Latin Name
Hydrastis canadensis
Also Known As
Eye Root, Goldenroot, Ground Raspberry, Jaundice Root, Wild Curcuma, Yellow Puccoon and Yellow RootOrigin
North AmericaParts Used
Root and RhizomeTraditional Use and Health Benefits
Goldenseal is a perennial woodland herb that is a member of the buttercup family. As a native plant of North America, it was highly prized by the Native Americans who used it as a multi-purpose medicinal plant.
It was widely used as an immune booster and for all manner of infections. The roots were boiled and made into a healing tea, poultices and tinctures. It is classed as a bitter herb and as such was an important herb for digestive complaints and stomach aches. Other uses included for fevers, skin conditions and ulcers.
Goldenseal Benefits
Immune System
With a long history of traditional use to treat a broad spectrum of infections, it is now known that Goldenseal contains the powerful plant alkaloid berberine.
Berberine has been shown to stimulate the immune system by activating the macrophages that devour harmful micro-organisms. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell within the immune system that engulf and digest cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes and anything else that does not have the type of proteins specific to healthy body cells on its surface, in a process called phagocytosis.
Additionally, berberine is naturally antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal and has been shown to inhibit the ability of bacteria to attach itself to human cells.
Digestive Health
Goldenseal is classed as a “bitter herb”, bitters stimulate the production of enzymes and stomach acid, readying the digestive system for the optimum assimilation of nutrients from food consumed.
As well as stimulating digestive juices, Goldenseal has a balancing effect on the microbiome. The beneficial bacteria play an important part in the digestive process by breaking down food into usable energy. In a healthy gut, the beneficial bacteria far outnumber the pathogens. However, a course of antibiotics, stress and bad diet can cause an imbalance, allowing the “bad bacteria” to run amok.
A beneficial effect of Goldenseal on the microbiome is “selective microbial inhibition”. In other words, the plant alkaloids in this herb (including berberine), inhibit the growth of dangerous pathogens whilst actually enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria.
With a powerful anti-inflammatory action, Goldenseal can protect and heal the gut and intestinal tract, providing relief from constipation, bloating and cramping.
Heart Health
The active properties in Goldenseal, particularly its star phytonutrient “berberine”, make it highly effective for protecting and supporting the heart. Berberine can help to regulate heart rhythm and provide relief from arrhythmias and heart palpitations.
A clinical study published in 2001 found that berberine has anti-arrhythmic properties and was found to “prolong the duration of ventricular action potential”. Also known as “cardiac action potential”, this is a brief change in voltage across the cell membrane of heart cells. The study concluded that, “the cardiovascular effects of berberine suggest its possible clinical usefulness in the treatment of arrhythmias and/or heart failure.”
It also has vasodilating properties, meaning that it relaxes and opens the blood vessels which supports healthy blood pressure.
Skin Health
With powerful antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, Goldenseal can be used to combat skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. It has also been found to be effective against herpes, ringworm, blisters and sores.
Goldenseal can be made into a poultice and applied directly to problem areas, or used as an ingredient in salves, ointments and skin creams.
Also great for cleaning and healing wounds, Goldenseal can be used in place of harsher skin disinfectants to gently clean cuts and bruise and speed up healing.
