Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial plant native to eastern North America. Its roots and leaves have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, especially those involving infections or inflammation. Today goldenseal ranks amongst the most popular herbal remedies worldwide.

Goldenseal is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), internal bleeding, bleeding after childbirth, liver disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), jaundice, gonorrhea, fever, pneumonia, malaria, whooping cough, and an eating disorder called anorexia. Goldenseal is also used for the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stuffy nose and hay fever. Some people use goldenseal for digestive disorders including stomach pain and swelling (gastritis), peptic ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal gas and hemorrhoids. Goldenseal is also added to various over-the-counter remedies, such as ear drops, feminine hygiene products, eyewash formulations, cold and flu remedies, allergy relief products, laxatives, and digestive aids. The herb is naturally rich in a class of alkaloid compounds, with berberine, hydrastine, and canadine being found in the highest concentrations. These alkaloids are linked to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and believed to be the main reason behind goldenseal’s purported health benefits. Women use goldenseal for vaginal pain and swelling and menstrual period problems.

A component called berberine is the main active compound in goldenseal, may help fight infections caused by bacteria and viruses. This includes the virus responsible for the common cold. Despite goldenseal’s inclusion in many cold remedies, it’s unclear whether the effects observed in animals apply to humans. Berberine also has properties that can lower blood pressure and improve irregular heartbeats. In addition, early research suggests that berberine can lower blood sugar and “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Some believe that goldenseal can help your body detox from toxins and harmful substances. Your body is naturally designed to detoxify itself. It does so by converting toxic compounds into harmless substances in your liver or making sure they’re eliminated from your body through urine and sweat. Research suggests that goldenseal may reduce the activity of certain liver enzymes responsible for breaking down drugs. As such, this herbal supplement may slow the detox process rather than promote it. Goldenseal extracts also appear effective against the C. jejuni bacterium, which is a main cause of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes diarrhea and vomiting.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infections with C. jejuni are the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Berberine, one of the main active compounds in goldenseal, is thought to be largely responsible for this plant’s potential ability to protect against H. pylori and C. jejuni. An NCCIH-funded study found that some commercial goldenseal dietary supplements didn’t contain much goldenseal and instead included ingredients not listed on their labels. Goldenseal may change the way your body processes many medications. If you’re taking medication, consult your health care provider before using goldenseal.

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