-IBIS-1.7.6-
rx
herb
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
Botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Hydrastis canadensis
synonyms: goldenseal, eye balm, eye root, ground raspberry, Indian plant, jaundice root, orangeroot, turmeric root, yellow puccoon, yellowroot.
part(s) used: rhizome, root.
qualities: bitter, cold, dry, astringent.
affinities: mucous membranes.
actions: antimicrobial, vulnerary, bitter tonic, mucous membrane trophorestorative, anti-hemorhaggic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory.
dosage:
» tincture (1:10) : 2-4 ml. three times daily
» tincture (FE 1:1) : 0.3-1ml. three times daily
» powdered root and rhizome: 500 - 1000 mg three times daily
therapy:
» internal: Mucous membrane infections and inflammations, upper respiratory catarrh, influenza, gastroenteritis, infectious diarrhea, giardiasis, hypochlorhydria, dyspepsia, peptic ulceration, menorrhaggia, uterine hemorrhage.
» external: hemorrhoids, conjunctivitis (eye wash) , wounds, thrush, leucorrhea (douche), otorrhea.
specific indications: warm and hot conditions; catarrhal state of mucous membrane with acute inflammation, yellowish, green-yellow mucus, digestive disorders with hepatic symptoms.
appearance:
» tongue broad, pale, scalloped, slightly dry or slightly moist, atonic, apathetic; ulcerated in abused cases (Wood)
pulse:
» weak, indicative of malnutrition; nerves have low stimulus threshold (Wood)
constituents:
» Isoquinoline alkaloids: (up to 5% total, hydrastine, berberine,canadine).
» Other: Resin, Polysaccharides, Sugars, Chlorogenic acid, Volatile Oil.
pharmacology:
» There is no recent pharmacological data on Goldenseal. The pharmacology is dominated by the isoquinoline alkaloids, among which berberine has been extensively studied.
» Antimicrobial activity: Berberine has extensive activity against numerous bacteria, fungi, and parasitic microrganisms. However, absorption studies suggest that berberine is poorly absorbed in the small intestine (Bhide, 1969) and it is unlikely that serum concentrations from oral therapy attain effective in vitro antimicrobial levels. This leaves the mechanism of its anti-microbial action in humans unexplained (for discussion, see Bergner 1997)
» Other effects: Berberine exhibits some anti-cancer activity, reduces myocardial ischaemic injury, and mildly stimulates uterine smooth muscle in vitro. (Reviews: Snow 1997, Brinker,1995).
Clinical Trials:
» There are no clinical trials on Goldenseal root extract, although several studies have used berberine or berberine sulphate. Berberine was as effective as pharmacutical drugs in treating giardiasis in children, and more effective than placebo in treating infective diarrhea. (Reviews: Snow, 1997, Bergner, 1997)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b
toxicity: 2; see quinine-like toxidrome
» There are no current toxicological studies on Goldenseal. Berberine (pure, isolated) is well tolerated up to 0.5gm.
» contraindicated during pregnancy due to uterine stimulant action of its alkaloids (berberine, hydrastine canadine, hydrastinine) in certain animal uteri (Brinker, 1995 & 1996, Brooks, Farnsworth)
» handling the herb may cause contact dermatitis (Muenscher, p. 9)
Notes:
Endangerement: Goldenseal wild populations have been eradicated by overharvesting in the US. Herbalists, herbal product manufacturers and conservationists consider wild crafting of the plant to be unethical. Alternatives such as Oregon Grape Root (Berberis spp) are advocated; medium scale cultivation programs have been implementesd, although the maturation cycle is long and horticultural difficulties considerable, this is the only way that Golden seal will be preserved. No product that does not clearly state cultivated origin should be purchased.
Contraindications: Suggestions by male writers that Goldenseal is contraindicated as a douche or topical application for vaginal thrush or leucorrhea (Duke, 1985, Tierra, 1980) are not supported by women herbalists with extensive clinical experience (eg McQuade, 1997, 1998)
footnotes
General references: Snow 1997, Bergner 1997.
Bergner, P., 1997.The Healing Power of Echinacea and Goldenseal. Rocklin, CA. Prima Publishing.
Brinker F. 1995. Botanical Medicine Research Summaries. (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, vol.11), Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I.J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
McQuade Crawford, A.1997 Herbal Remedies For Women. Rocklin, CA. Prima Publishing.
McQuade Crawford, A.1998. Pers. comm.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Snow, J. 1997. Golden Seal Rhizome Monograph. Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine 2,(2) 25-28.
Tierra, M. 1980. Planetary Herbology. Sante Fe, NM: Lotus Press.
Wood, Matthew. 1992. The Admirable Secrets of Herbs, Roots and Barks: Western Herbal Medicine, A Materia Medica. Unpublished manuscript.