GOLDENSEAL
(Hydrastis canadensis)


Goldenseal (Orange-root, Orangeroot; Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. The plant bears two palmate, hairy leaves with 5–7 double-toothed lobes and single, small, inconspicuous flowers with greenish white stamens in the late spring. It bears a single berry like a large raspberry with 10–30 seeds in the summer.

The underground stems or roots of goldenseal
 are dried and used to make teas, liquid extracts,
 and solid extracts that may be made into
 tablets and capsules.

Goldenseal in flower

Part used: Rhizome.

Properties: Alternative, antibiotic, antiseptic, emmenagogue,stomachic, tonic, laxative.

What it affects: stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, eyes, all mucous membranes.

Preparation and amount:

Infusion:(powered root): Steep powder until cold and take 1-2 tsp 3-4 x a day.

Decoction: simmer 15-30 mins. and take 1-2 tsp 3-4 x a day

Tincture: drink 20-90 drops (1/3- 1 1/2 tsp) 3 x a day

Powder: drink 2-5 #0 capsules (10-30 grains) 3 x a day or 2-3 #00 capsule (5 is average dose) per day.

Purposes:

 Goldenseal is a powerful antiseptic (germ killer). Like echinacea, it is good for nearly every disease. Drink with any herb, it increases the tonic effects on the specific organs being treated. Add it when giving eyebright for the eyes, squaw vine for the female genito-urinary system, gotu kola for the brain, and cascara segrada for the lower bowel. Add it to salves for the skin,douches for vaginal infections, and reducing hemorrhoids. It especially acts on mucous membranes and can be used for all catarrhal conditions, including those in the intestines. Used at the first sign of possible symptoms, it can stop a cold, flu, or sore throat.

Internally, goldenseal is good for alcoholism, allergies, asthma, bad breath, bladder diseases, bronchitis, canker sores, chicken pox, colds, diabetes, eczema, hay fever, stomach ailments, heart weakness, hemorrhoids, herpes, indigestion, infections, inflammations, leukorrhea, liver problems, lymph congestion, measles, mammary and ovarian tumors, ulcers. It is a douche for vaginal infections. Used with cascara sagrada, it is a bowel tonic. As a retention enema, it will reduce swollen hemorrhoids. It is good for allergies, ulcers, and disorders affecting the bladder, prostate, stomach, or vaginal. Small doses will relieve nausea (morning sickness) during pregnancy, but see the warning below. Combine it with myrrh when treating ulcers of the stomach. For hemorrhoids and prostate problems, combine 2 parts goldenseal and 1 part wild alum. It increases the effectiveness of insulin and strengthens the immune system. It reduces blood pressure, stimulates the central nervous system, regulates the menses, and decreases uterine bleeding.

Externally, goldenseal is used for burns, canker sores, eye inflammations, herpes sores, leukorrhea, mouth sores,ringworm, skin inflammation, tonsillitis, and wounds. Used it with a toothbrush or as antiseptic mouth wash for bleeding gum or gum infections. Use it as gargle for tonsillitis and other problems. Goldenseal can be used on open sores, inflammations, eczema, ringworm or itchy skin conditions. it is specific for all kinds of mucous membrane problems. Snuffed up the nose, the powder is good for nasal congestion or catarrh. for  ringworm, wash it with the tea, then sprinkle powdered root on it. For a soothing eyewash, mix it with boric acid (1 tsp. powdered root and 1 tsp. boric acid to 1 pint boiling- hot water); stir; let cool; and pour off the liquid. Add 1 tsp of the liquid to 1/2 cup of water for the eyewash.

Warning/; Goldenseal is a powerful alkaloid and should not be overused. Two or three #00 capsules per day are safe and adequate for most conditions. Normally, do not use it more than week at a time, then switch to echinacea or another antibiotic herb (myrrh, chaparral, pau d' arco). Excessive used diminishes vitamin B absorption, by killing certain intestinal bacteria. Over a prolonged period, used not more than2-3 #00 capsules in a day. Do not used large amounts during hypoglycemia. Those with high blood pressure or insomnia should mot use it. Eating the fresh plant produces ulcerations and inflammation of mucous tissue.

Because large doses of goldenseal contract the uterus, women who have a tendency to miscarry should avoid the use of it unless, for morning sickness, it is used in this formula: Less than 1/4 tsp. goldenseal, plus 1/4 tsp. cloves; the powders taken in gelatin capsules are not to exceed 2 capsules per day and taken with spearmint tea.

Plant Description:

It is a small perennial herb, with a horizontal, irregularly knotted, bright yellow root-stock, from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch thick, giving off slender roots below and marked with scars of the flower-stems of previous years. The flowering stem, which is pushed up early in the spring, is from 6 to 12 inches high, erect, cylindrical, hairy, with downward-pointing hairs, especially above, surrounded at the base with a few short, brown scales. It bears two prominently-veined and wrinkled, dark green, hairy leaves, placed high up, the lower one stalked, the upper stalkless, roundish in outline, but palmately cut into 5 to 7 lobes, the margins irregularly and finely toothed. There is one solitary radical leaf on a long foot-stalk, similar in form to the stem leaves, but larger, when full-grown being about 9 inches across.