Health Benefits of Golden Seal Root

Botanical Name of Golden Seal: Hydrastis canadensis.

Other Common Names:
Goldenseal, eyebalm, ground raspberry, orangeroot, yellowroot, yellow puccoon, Indian dye, eye root, Jaundice root.

Habitat:
Golden seal is a plant found in the Northeastern United States in shady woodland areas at the edges of forests in rich, moist soil. This plant prefers slightly acidic soils and will prosper in partial sun, or even shaded areas.

Description:
Golden seal is a small perennial herb. The woody, yellowish rhizome gives rise to a single hairy, stem and top with two 5-9 lobed leaves which terminate in a single greenish-white flower. It grows to a height of about 30 centimeters. The knotty, yellowish-brown rhizome is roughly 5 centimeters long and 1 centimeter thick with an abundance of rootlets. It has a strong odor and bitter taste. Golden seal does produce a fruit, similar to the raspberry in appearance, but it is not edible.

Plant Parts Used:
The root of this plant is used in herbal medicine.

Golden Seal Flowers
(Hydrastis canadensis)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:James Steakley

Goldenseal Leaf, Root & Extract

Goldenseal Root (520 mg) by Vitabase Goldenseal Liquid by Vitabase

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Golden Seal Root

• Golden seal is used as a treatment, especially in combination with echinacea, for some respiratory complaints such as stuffy noses, sinus problems, bronchitis, hay fever and it is considered a good herbal remedy for symptoms of the common cold and the flu.

The Medicinal Plant Golden Seal
(Hydrastis Canadensis)
• It is also used, in combination with other herbs, to cleanse the body of toxins and help purify the kidneys and urinary tract.
• It is gaining popularity as a natural anti-diabetic treatment as well. It has been shown to increase insulin production and, through separate pathways, lower blood sugar levels. This use must be monitored closely due to golden seal’s tendency to raise blood pressure, which is a common complication of diabetes.
• Golden seal can be effective for naturally treating yeast infection, athlete's foot and skin irritations caused by fungus and bacteria such as acne and skin rashes. It is also effective for mouth ulcers such as canker sores and other irritations to the mucous membranes of the mouth.
• Due to its effects on blood vessel tone it has been used to control the bleeding of excessive menstruation and other internal bleeding. This increase in tone also leads to its use to stop persistent external bleeding as well.
• Golden seal contains berberine and other alkaloids which are thought to have antimicrobial properties. Because of these properties this herb could be useful in treating diarrhea.

Dosage and Administration

Golden seal can be found in oral forms such as tablets or capsules. These capsules should be taken according to manufacturer´s suggested dosing. Golden seal may also be found in a powdered form that can be used to make a mouthwash or skin wash as well. Mixing 2 teaspoons of dried golden seal root and 5 ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes will yield a good mouthwash or skin wash. This may be used up to 4 times a day.

Potential Side Effects of Golden Seal

Golden seal use can cause emotional changes and nausea. It may also cause a rise in blood pressure and has been shown in some cases to lower blood sugar levels. Due to its uterine contracting abilities it is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Golden seal may irritate the structures of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in those who already have GI disorders. Topical use may cause the skin in the affected areas to become more sensitive to sunlight.

Golden seal may cause an increase in the sedative effect of other herbs or drugs used for sedation. It may also interfere with drugs used to lower blood pressure. Those on blood sugar control medications should monitor their levels closely while taking goldenseal. It may also counter the effects of drugs used to prevent acid reflux or chronic gastric acid issues.

Leave a Comment or Tips on Golden Seal

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Name: Char
E-mail: Private
Date posted: February 05, 2012 - 07:56 am
Message: It is strange how beneficial Goldenseal is. My Dad used to swear by the conditions of it. He was rarely sick and neither were we. My husband picked up some capsules and I am going to start giving it to my children every now and then for colds.

Name: RONALD CHASTEEN
E-mail: Private
Date posted: December 11, 2011 - 01:16 am
Message: I have used goldenseal most of my life. My dad and uncle used it all there life. I dig my own...so it is pure goldenseal right out of the woods. I am 61...only thing I take. I am on no other meds...I sealdom or ever have a cold or am sick.

Name: Juidith
E-mail: saftajudy@gmail.com
Date posted: August 29, 2011 - 11:25 pm
Message: I have been using Golden Seal for a number of years. I use it for all the uses stated, but have been takin Goldenseal Root 470mg 1 to 2 times a day for joint pain/inflammation. Have found it really helps. When I take a break for a week I feel and see the difference.

Name: kb
E-mail: Private
Date posted: September 18, 2010 - 10:43 am
Message: My bf got it for me for overall healing. Had a subaceaous cyst, a very bad abcessed tooth on top of the "normal" severe joint pain and muscle weakness.
Within 18 hrs, 4 day old abcess was GONE, 3 month old, golf ball size cyst on shoulder...GONE. I felt like I was 20 yrs old again-41 now. It lasted for a week but then woke up in pain again. Not safe to take more than 10 days-2 wks at a time.

Name: Fred
E-mail: country52liver@hotmail.cm
Date posted: September 02, 2010 - 10:18 am
Message: I routinely take echinacea. In my last purchase of echinacea I tried a brand with with 25mg Goldenseal root extract(4:1) and have been on it for about 10 days. My chronic sinusitus has subsided sustantially and I am beginning to smell things again. It seems to work for me.

Name: Dean
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 30, 2010 - 07:52 pm
Message: Three years ago I started taking golden seal and to my surprise I have never gotten a cold or the flu ever again,and I had another good experience when I had gotten a tooth ache so I took some extra golden seal and it actually took the pain away long enough for me to get to the dentist and get it taken care of without hurting like I usually would by waiting to just get through the whole weekend and being in pain so I am utterly amazed at the benefits of golden seal and I always tell everyone seal the deal with golden seal because you will feel a lot better if you do.

Name: j clements
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 19, 2012 - 11:54 pm
Message: I have used goldenseal for many years, for the conditions you have already mentioned. Also it is excellent to treat tonsilitis, conjunctivitis, ear infection, tooth abscess and facial spots. It is also a good treatment for piles.

"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."
Mahatma Gandhi