The History of Golden Seal - Hydrastis Canadensis in Herbal Medicine

Other Common Names: Eye Balm, Eye Root, Ground Raspberry, Hidrastis, Hydrastis, Indian Dye, Indian Paint, Jaundice Root, Orange Root, Turmeric Root, Warnera, Wild Curcuma, Yellow Puccoon, Yellow Root, Hydrastis canadensis

Range: Eastern N. America - Connecticut to Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas

Habitat: Rich shady woods and moist areas on woodland edges.

The North American plant Golden Seal produces a drug which is considered of great value in modern medicine. The generic name of the plant, Hydrastis, is derived from two Greek words, signifying water and to accomplish, probably given it from its effect on the mucous membrane.

It is official in most Pharmacopoeias, several of which refer to its yellowing the saliva when masticated.

Goldenseal is a traditional medicine of the North American Indians and is still widely used in Western herbal medicine. In the Nineteenth century it acquired a reputation as a heal-all and was grossly over-collected from the wild and has become rare in the east of its range. It is now being cultivated on a small scale. It is especially valued in treating disorders of the digestive system and mucous membranes and is also extremely useful in the treatment of habitual constipation.

The root is the active part of the plant, it is harvested in the autumn after the plant has died down and is dried for later use. It is said to be antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative, stomachic, tonic. It is used mainly in the treatment of disorders affecting the ears, eyes, throat, nose, stomach, intestines and vagina.

The root contains the alkaloids hydrastine, berberine and canadine. Berberine is antibacterial (effective against broad-spectrum bacteria and protozoa, it increases bile secretions, acts as an anticonvulsant, a mild sedative and lowers blood pressure. Use of this plant destroys beneficial intestinal organisms as well as pathogens, so it should only be prescribed for limited periods (a maximum of three months). The plant should be used with caution, and not at all during pregnancy or by people with high blood pressure.

Goldenseal products are produced from the dried rhizome and root of the plant. Berberine can be produced from cultures of Coptis japonica and Thalictrum rugosum cells. Hydrastine can be produced from berberine.



Goldenseal tea is commercially available in health food stores. Goldenseal is also an ingredient in some over-the-counter (OTC) herbal dietary supplements, eardrops, feminine cleansing products, cold/flu remedies, allergy relief products, laxative products, and digestive support products. Berberine chloride and berberine sulfate are ingredients in some commercial eyewash products. Hydrastine is an ingredient in some decongestant nose sprays and feminine cleansing products.

Goldenseal has been used to treat digestive and hemorrhagic disorders, disorders of the genitourinary tract, upper respiratory inflammation and congestion, mucous membrane inflammation, eczema, pruritus, otorrhea, tinnitus, congestion/inflammation of the ear, and conjunctivitis. It is claimed to be effective in treating cancers, particularly of the ovary, uterus, and stomach. Goldenseal is stated also to possess antiseptic, astringent, and hemostatic qualities when applied topically. It has been used as a tonic, antiperiodic, diuretic, and as a vaginal douche. OTC products containing goldenseal are sold under the claim that they are effective in treating menstrual disorders, minor sciatica, rheumatic and muscular pain, motion sickness and nausea, and chronic diarrhea from protozoal, fungal, and bacterial infections. Goldenseal is sometimes used to treat AIDS symptoms and claims have been made that it is able to prevent the detection of illicit drugs in urine.

Berberine has been used as a bitter tonic, diaphoretic, and antipyretic, and for the treatment of skin diseases, eye infections, liver diseases, and diarrhea. Studies have identified antiplatelet, anticerebral ischemic, vasodilatory, and antirrhythmic pharmacologic properties. It is believed to be the active ingredient in Coptis rhizoma (used to treat amnesia). Berberine has been used to treat bacterial and parasitical infections and may be effective in improving cardiac performance in patients with heart failure. It is also used as a fluorescent stain in medical research.

Hydrastine is claimed to be an abortifacient, antibiotic, antitussive, antiuterotic, antivaginitic, bactericide, central nervous system depressant, choleretic, convulsant, hemostat, hypertensive, hypotensive, pesticide, sedative, uterotonic, and vasoconstrictor. In the treatment of diarrhea, it has been found to have anti-microbial, antimotility, and antisecretory properties.

Exposure to goldenseal occurs orally as a tea or capsule, or it can be applied dermally as a skin lotion or to the eye as an eyewash. It is also applied as a vaginal douche and as eardrops. Berberine and hydrastine are also applied to the eyes as an eyewash. Hydrastine exposure occurs also from the use of hydrastine-containing decongestant nose sprays and feminine hygiene products.

Known Hazards: The whole plant is poisonous.

In humans, goldenseal may cause convulsions and irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach when taken orally in toxic doses. Paresthesia, paralysis, respiratory failure, and death may follow. Chronic use may inhibit vitamin B absorption, and sublethal doses may induce labor if taken during pregnancy. While markedly improving cardiac performance in patients with heart conditions, berberine also induces ventricular tachycardia in some subjects. Berberine had an anesthetic effect when injected subcutaneously (s.c.). Both berberine and hydrastine produced parasympatholytic and anesthetic effects when applied to the eyes. Hydrastine induced labor when taken orally by pregnant women.

  • Plants For A Future - A Resource and Information Centre for Edible and other useful plants.
  • Errol Zeiger, Ph.D. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences