Goldenseal is a strong digestive stimulant, and tonic to the digestive tract.
Caution: Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than a week at a time. Do not give goldenseal to children under two. Do not use goldenseal without consulting a physician if you have had heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, a stroke, or high blood pressure.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) can help with the following
Arrhythmias/Dysrhythmias
Berberine is the principal active ingredient in the herb goldenseal ( Hydrastis Canadensis ). Studies show that the alkaloid berberine is beneficial for ventricular arrhythmias due to lack of oxygen. Evidence also suggests that berberine administration can help prevent the onset of re-entrant ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden coronary death after myocardial ischemic damage.
Upcoming Surgical Procedure
Goldenseal before surgery may cause complications by increased swelling or increased blood pressure.
Pharyngitis
The berberine alkaloid found in goldenseal stops the growth of streptococci, the organism most often associated with bacterial pharyngitis. It also promotes easier removal of the bacteria by inhibiting their ability to adhere to tissue surfaces.
Epididymitis
Berberine-containing herbs are effective antibacterial agents. Since berberine has been shown to inhibit chlamydia trachomatis, berberine with bromelain is an excellent choice for “idiopathic epididymitis”. Dose of Golden Seal: 0.5 to 1.0gm TID of the dried root.
Anorexia / Starvation Tendency
Goldenseal, a strong digestive stimulant and tonic to the digestive tract, is especially useful for anorexia nervosa.
Boils, Abscesses, Carbuncles
The application of a paste or poultice containing goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) root is recommended by naturopaths on the grounds that goldenseal helps to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Key
| May do some good |
| Likely to help |
| May have adverse consequences |
| Avoid absolutely |
Glossary
Diabetes Mellitus
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Glaucoma
A disease of the eye characterized by vision loss due to an increase in the pressure of fluid within the eye. This rise in pressure results from a build-up of aqueous fluid and leads to progressive damage to the optic nerve that transmits visual signals to the brain. Over time, glaucoma can lead to a gradual loss in peripheral vision. There are usually no signs that you're developing glaucoma until vision loss occurs.
Stroke
A sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel that supplies the brain, characterized by loss of muscular control, complete or partial loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech, or other symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of the damage to the brain. The most common manifestation is some degree of paralysis, but small strokes may occur without symptoms. Usually caused by arteriosclerosis, it often results in brain damage.