| Goldenseal, Latin name Hydrastis canadensis, is | | | | the vaginal mucous membranes. The rhizome of |
| one of the most popular herbs used in herbal | | | | the Goldenseal plant is also used to treat |
| remedies today. Goldenseal has traditionally | | | | conditions involving the spastic colon (mucous |
| operated as a traditional healing herb of Native | | | | colitis), nasal inflammations, and ear infections. |
| Americans, but it has entered the European herbal | | | | In essence, Goldenseal is very much an herbal |
| cabinet with of late. | | | | remedy for ear, nose and throat problems. But it |
| Traditionally, the Cherokee used goldenseal as an | | | | has many other applications as well. The |
| herbal treatment for indigestion, local | | | | Goldenseal plant is often used as an herbal |
| inflammations, and to improve appetite. The | | | | remedy to treat gynecological problems. It can |
| Iroquois used Goldenseal to treat heart problems, | | | | help reduce the severity of menopausal |
| liver disorders, whooping cough and to treat | | | | symptoms, and it has been known to ease the |
| fevers. | | | | pain associated with premenstrual symptoms, |
| Goldenseal reached European shores by 1760. | | | | especially symptoms linked to stagnation. The |
| During the nineteenth century, Goldenseal had | | | | rhizome of the Goldenseal plant can often be |
| become a popular favorite with practitioners of | | | | found in commercial herbal remedies as a tonic. |
| the Eclectic and Thomsonian schools of medicine. | | | | Even though Goldenseal has proven itself to be a |
| In 1926, Goldenseal was included in the list of | | | | very effective healing herb, there are some |
| United States medicinal ingredients in the | | | | cautions you use take when ingesting herbal |
| Pharmacopoeia. | | | | remedies that feature Goldenseal as one of its |
| The character of Goldenseal has alternately been | | | | main ingredients. For instance, Goldenseal is well |
| described as bitter, dry, astringent, and cold. The | | | | known as a powerful uterine stimulant, so its use |
| plants constituents are described as resins, volatile | | | | should be avoided women who are pregnant. |
| oils, and alkaloids. Herbalists traditionally describe | | | | Goldenseal is also well known as a hypertensive, |
| the actions of Goldenseal as astringent, a | | | | so it should be avoided in known cases of high |
| digestive and bile stimulant, a tonic, and a laxative. | | | | blood pressure. |
| Goldenseal has also been used to reduce phlegm, | | | | Also, you should not use herbal remedies |
| to heal gastric mucous membranes, and to raise | | | | containing Goldenseal for an ear infection if you |
| blood pressure. | | | | know that there is a risk that an eardrum is |
| The part of the Goldenseal plant that is most | | | | perforated. Another caveat: avoid ingesting fresh |
| commonly used is the rhizome. The rhizome is | | | | Goldenseal plant. Eating fresh Golden seal plant has |
| traditionally harvested in the fall, and it is the main | | | | been known to cause ulceration of the mucous |
| ingredient in many herbal remedies. Many | | | | membranes. It is a very potent plant. Also, if you |
| traditional herbalists recommend the rhizome of | | | | suffer from digestive complaints, many herbalists |
| the Goldenseal plant as an excellent drying and | | | | recommend that you take barberry for these |
| mucus-reducing remedy that works well for the | | | | types of complaints because Goldenseal has |
| gastric, upper respiratory tract. It is also used for | | | | recently become endangered in the wild. |