Goldenseal

(Hydrastis canadensis)

Other Names:
Canadian Goldenseal, Yellowroot, Yellow Root, Orangeroot, Orange Root, Eye balm, Ground Raspberry, Indian paint

Range:


Family:
Ranunculaceae– Buttercup family

Growth Type:
Herbaceous Perennial

Height:
Up to a foot and a half tall

Leaves:
Two palmate, coarse, hairy leaves with 5–7 double-toothed lobes. Leaves can be 3" - 12" in diameter, and 3" - 8" in length

Stem/Trunk:
The single hairy stem sands approximately 7-18 inches tall. Below the ground, the stem turns yellow where it connects to the yellow rhizome.

Root:
Thick yellow rhizome and rootstock

Flower Season:
Late spring

Flower Appearance:
The single flower is small, perhaps 3/4" across. It has 3 sepals and no petals. The sepals drop off before the flowerr blooms. The blooming flower consists of perhaps 40 spreading stamen and perhaps 10 pistils. The white stamen filaments are topped with yellow anthers.

Seed/Fruit:
Sometime during mid-summer, the flower is replaced by What appears to be a single red berry which resembles a raspberry. This inedible "berry" is actually 10-20 individual berries each containing perhaps 1 or 2 small black seeds.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
Rich, moist, densely shaded, deciduous forests

Parts Used:
Root

Culinary Uses:
None Known

Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Goldenseal was used by Native Americans as an eye wash, and to sooth skin irritations. It is often used as a topical antimicrobial, but it is not known how it functions. It has been used to aid digestion, and to aid in normal liver function. It is because of this last use that it is extremely effective at normalizing Th2 cells which cause histamine response to allergens. It seems to boost the effectiveness of other medications, and is often used in medicinal preparations. You can find it in many over the counter cold remedies. It has been shown to ease sore throat. When used as a gargle, it has proven effective at eliminating cold, and canker sores. It is effective at toning and soothing the mucus membranes of the body.

Goldenseal contains a compound called Berberine. This compound has been shown to kill many types of bacteria. Among these bacteria are E. coli, and those that cause diarrhea. It has also been shown to kill the fungus that causes Candida yeast infections. It can therefore be used as a douche for yeast infections. It is also used to treat urinary tract infections. there is evidence that a perineal wash after sexual activity can greatly reduce the frequency of urinary tract infections. It has been shown, in laboratory tests to aid in the production of white blood cells. Many believe this is where it's antibiotic properties are derived. It has been shown to strengthen the immune system.

Use to treat anorexia, atonic dyspepsia, catarrhal deafness, colitis, conjuctivitis, constipation, chronic cholecystitis, diarrhea (due to infection), dysmenorrhea, eczema, gastritis, hepatic cirrhosis, infections, inflammation, menorrhagia, peptic ulcers, post-partum hemorrhage, pruritis, reproductive tract infections, tinitus, upper respiratory catarrh.

Medicinal Actions:
Alterative, Antibacterial, Antibiotic, Anticatarrhal, Antifungal, Anti-Infective, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic, Antiseptic, Bitter, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Demulcent, Emmenagogue, Emollient, Hepatic, Laxative, Oxytocic, Tonic: Gallbladder, Tonic: Intestinal, Tonic: Liver