Description

This perennial bush is native to the moist woods and damp meadows of Eastern North America. It has a rough, wrinkled yellow root with a distinctive odor and taste. In the past, people altered other roots to look like goldenseal because of the high price it commands. It is hard to be fooled once you know its appearance. The stem is simple, hairy, 20 - 50 cm tall, and has three to five lobed, dark green leaves that become 10 - 25 cm broad in the summer. The small, solitary flower is white or rose-colored and appears in May and June. The characteristic berries are small and resemble raspberries.

Parts Used

root, sometimes leaves.

Constituents

The most important principles of Goldenseal are a group of isoquinoline alkaloids consisting mainly of hydrastine (1.5 - 4%), berberastine (2 - 3%) and berberine (0.5 - 6%), lesser amounts of canadine, candaline, and related alkaloids. Hydrastine occurs in both free and combined forms. Other constituents include meconin, chlorogenic acid, and lipids (with 75% unsaturated and 25% saturated fatty acids). There is also resin, starch, sugar, and a small amount of volatile oil.(1-11)

Mode of Action

Use of Goldenseal became controversial in the mid-1990 as it was over harvested and becoming a endanger species in several locations. Cultivation techniques and conservation has help maintain the use of this herb. Most herbalist prefer to use only organically cultivated root or sometimes leaf stock. Other herbalist feel that it should not be used at all and only an analog herb like Barberry or Coptis should be employed. Even though these herbs can be used for many of Goldenseal anti-microbial functions, it is hard to replace Goldenseal when dealing with uterine hemorrhaging.

Goldenseal is a herb specific for the mucous membranes (often called ``the King of the Mucous Membranes``). It is used for its astringent and tonic action for congestion and chronic inflammation of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, catarrhal affliction of the nose, and chronic gastritis and enteritis.(12) It has been used for catarrh of the bladder, hepatic congestion, and eye inflammation.(13) Goldenseal is sometimes used for inflammation of the vagina, uterus, and urethra.(14) The important action of Goldenseal is on the mucous membranes of the intestine and stomach.(15-17) Goldenseal has been found beneficial in cases of chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures.(18,19)

Hydrastis is valuable for disorders of the uterus as it causes ``uterine contraction and is used in menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea.``(20) It has been considered useful for arresting bleeding from the uterus and for profuse menstruation.(21) Goldenseal can be beneficial for relieving menstrual pain.(22) The British Pharmaceutical Codex (1934) states that Hydrastis is useful in controlling uterine hemorrhage, for inflammation of the uterine mucosa, and for leucorrhea.(23) Externally, Goldenseal is valuable for chronic inflammation of mucous membranes, cracks and fissures of the nipples, indolent ulcers, and as a lotion to stop profuse sweating.(24) Goldenseal or its alkaloids are useful as an eyewash.(25)

Berberine has been shown to activity against a wide range of microbes (see also barberry). As an immunostimulator it increases blood supply to the spleen,(26) activate macrophages,(27) and has a tumor inhibitory action.(28) Berberine sulfate has shown activity against B1, KB and PS tumor system. With folklore suggesting its effectiveness against uterine cancer, one might expect some limited success in this area.(29)

Goldenseal has a mild hypoglycemic effect. Goldenseal has been claims to reduce the effects of morphine, marijuanna and cocaines effect and even detection. Studies on this has proven that this is not the case and does not mask test either of urin or blood. (30)

Extractum Hydrastis Liquidum has been given for chronic constipation with hypochlorhydria.(31)

Therapeutic Action

Tonic, alterative, aperient, cholagogue.

Energetics

Holmes describes goldenseal as bitter and astringent, being cold with warming potential, and dry. The secondary qualities are decongesting, astringing, restoring, stimulating and stabilizing movement. Goldenseal enters the Spleen, Liver, Stomach, Colon, Chong and Ren meridians; influencing stomach, intestines, lungs, heart, reproductive organs, bladder, kidneys, liver, gall bladder and veins. The organism is fluid. Tri dosa increases Vayu, while decreasing Kapha and Pitta.(32,33)

Folklore

Shown to the first settlers of North America by Native Americans, this herb has been used as a stomach tonic specifically for controlling the mucous membranes. It was also used for sore eyes, for general ulceration, and was considered a major remedy for various forms of catarrh. Specific uses include dyspepsia, gastric catarrh, loss of appetite, and liver troubles. It has been used in many patent medicines (OTC - over the counter) throughout North America and Europe for over a century.(34)

Goldenseal was popular among herbalists but not well known commercially until the early nineteenth century. It was then heavily used from the time of the Eclectic physicians until the present day in both Europe and America.(35,36) The Cherokee, Iroquois and Micmac are known to have used goldenseal.(37) The Iroquois made especially broad use of the plant.

Dosage(38)
Average Dose - 0.6 - 2.6 grams
Solid Extract BP - 0.03 - 0.12 gram
Fluid Extract BP - 0.3 - 1.0 ml.
Tincture BP -1.0 - 2.0 ml.

Toxicity and Contraindications

In very large doses, Hydrastis may cause convulsions and overstimulation of the nervous system. Long term use at high dosages has caused a leucocyte buildup. Signs of toxicity include irritation of the mouth and throat, diarrhea and vomiting. Doses over 2 gms per day should not be taken during pregnancy or in cases of hypertension. Extended consumption of large amounts of this herb have been shown to lower B vitamin absorption and utilization. Ulceration can occur internally and externally with severe overdosing.(39-41)

Official Recognition and Medical References

British Pharmaceutical Code 1934
U.S.P.
Martindale
UK - General Sales List, Schedule 2, Table A
France - Accepted for specific indications No. 90/22
PDR for Herbal Medicine - p. 903
Sweden: Classified as a natural Product

References

1. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934, The Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1934. p. 534.
2. Leung, A.Y., Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in food, drugs, and cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1980. p. 189.
3. Veninga, L. and Zaricor, B.R., Goldenseal/Etc.: A Pharmacognosy of Wild Herbs, Ruka Publications, Santa Cruz CA, 1976.
4. Spoerke, D.G., Herbal Medications, Woodbridge Press Publ. Co., Santa Barbara, CA, 1980, p. 79.
5. The Merck Index 5th Ed., Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway NJ, 1940.
6. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Dispensatory of the United States of America 23rd
Ed.,J.B. Lippincott, Montreal, P.Q., 1943.
7. Trease, G.E. and Evans, W.C., Pharmacognosy 11 ed., Bailliere Tindall, London, 1978.
8. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopeia, The Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1941.
9. Tyler, V.E. et al., Pharmacognosy (7th Ed.), Lea & Febiger, Phila. PA, 1976. p. 258.
10. Kraemer, H., Scientific and Applied Pharmacognosy, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
11. Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Jonathan Cape, London, 1931, p. 362.
12. Martindale, Ibid.
13. Veninga, L. and Zaricor, B.R., Ibid.
14. Youngken, H.W., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Blakiston, Toronto, 1950, p. 318.
15. Veninga, L. and Zaricor, B.R., Ibid.
16. Trease, G.E. and Evans, W.C., Ibid.
17. Youngken, H.W., Ibid.
18. Veninga, L. and Zaricor, B.R., Ibid.
19. Martindale, Ibid.
20. Martindale, Ibid.
21. Veninga, L. and Zaricor, B.R., Ibid.
22. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
23. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934. Ibid.
24. Martindale, Ibid.
25. Morton, J.F., Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, Culture and Uses, Charles C. Thomas Inc, Springfield IL, 1977, p. 42.
26. Sabir, and Bhide, N., Study of some pharmacologic action of berberine, Ind. J. Pharm. 15:111-32, 1971.
27. Kumazawa, Y., et al., Activation of peritoneal macrophage by berberine alkaloid in terms of induction of cytostatic activity, Int. J. Immunopharm. 6:587-92, 1984.
28. Duke, J.A., Ibid.
29. Duke, J.A., Ibid
30. Lawrence Review; Goldenseal; May 1994 p1-2.
31. Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopeia, Ibid.
32. Holmes, P., The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols.), Artemis Press, Boulder, CO, 1989, p. 553-556.
33. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1988, p. 204-205.
34. Marderosian, A.D., Liberti L.E., Natural Product Medicine - A Scientific Guide to Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, Stickley, Phil. 1988, p. 369-370.
35. Crellin, J.K. and Philpott, J., Herbal Medicine: Past and Present (Vol. II), Duke University Press, London, 1990, p. 232-233.
36. Grieve, M., Ibid.
37. Moerman, D.E., Medicinal Plants of Native America, University of Michigan
Museum of Anthropology, Technical Reports, Number 19, Ann Arbor, Michigan,
1986, Vol.1, p. 228.
38. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934, Ibid.
39. Veninga, L. and Zaricor, B.R., Ibid.
40. Spoerke, D.G., Ibid.
41. Duke, J.A., Ibid.