Historically Golden seal was used mostly by Native Americans for skin diseases, including ulcers & gonorrhoea. More traditional use of goldenseal is that of a preventative of infections, allergies, eye infections, digestive issues, canker sores, vaginitis, urinary tract infections and even cancer. (1)
Goldenseal contains berberine, which has been proven to be antimicrobial, anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory and blood glucose–lowering. (2,3,4,5)
What Is Goldenseal?
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), is a perennial herb belonging to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is Native North America & found within the regions of southern Quebec through to northern Georgia then west bound to Missouri.
This plant sadly has been over-harvested, there for due it being scarce it is now commercially grown under strict conditions. The Goldenseal plant has a hairy stem with around five - seven uneven points. It has lobed leaves & produces a small white flower which develops into small red berries. The root has a bitter taste is bright yellow, sometimes brown, and has a shrivelled appearance.
The rhizomes and roots are used to make liquid extracts, tablets, and capsules, teas and ointments. The active constituent of goldenseal is the roots rhizomes alkaloids berberine, canadine and hydrastine. These alkaloids act as a strong astringent effecting the mucous membranes, as an anti- inflammatory & has antiseptic effects.
What are the benefits of Golden seal
1. Supports Digestive Issues
Goldenseal’s bitterness is a powerful stimulant for appetite, supports digestion and bile secretion. The constituent berberine, has been used to treat infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhoea with the presence of blood and mucus in the faeces, in both traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Ayurvetic medicine for millenniums. A randomized controlled clinical trial back in 1987 involving 165 adults with acute diarrhea due to those two bacterial offenders E. coli and V. cholera showed antimicrobial activity. (6,7)
H. pylori is a type of bacteria which can lead to ulcers, gastritis, & sparking research into its role in stomach cancer. Its conventional treatment with anti-biotics is increasingly showing antibiotic resistance with this bacterium. Studies conducted in vitro on several herbs found that goldenseal extract was the most active in inhibiting the growth of H. pylori. (8)
2. Further Natural Antibiotic uses & its use with supporting immunity
staph infections. Staphylococcus aureus can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin infections, such as pimples, impetigo, boils, cellulitis folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles, scalded skin syndrome and abscesses, to life-threatening diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis and septicaemia. Its incidence is from skin, soft tissue, respiratory, bone, joint, endovascular to wound infections. It is still one of the four most common causes of nosocomial infections, often causing postsurgical wound infections. Studies conducted in Vitro concluded Staphylococcus aureus effectiveness of the treatment with herbal medicine goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.), against several clinical isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). H. canadensis possesses an array of alkaloids, the most abundant of which is berberine. Previously, H. canadensis has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive bacteria, and berberine has been shown to inhibit the growth of MRSA. (9)
Goldenseal is used in herbal dispensaries to formulate tinctures or tease, creams and ointments. An example of its use in tinctures is immune support, acne, cold & flues due to its ability as a natural antibiotic. Scientific research propose goldenseal may enhance immune function by increasing antigen-specific antibody production. Further research has indicated that immune stimulation may be in fact be from its abilities to reduce pro-inflammatory responses, therefore indirectly reducing the symptoms associated with infection (10)
There isn’t a great deal of clinical (human) studies but it is noted that some Naturopaths often include goldenseal as a supportive treatment in Urinary tract infections. It is suggested that the berberine can act to prevent bacterial over growth by inhibiting its attachment on the interior bladder walls. (11)
3. May have an effective treatment role in Cancer
Please remember that the following is for reading purpose only. I am in support of natural therapies as a compliment to main stream medicine. It is extremely important to adhere to the advice of your medical specialist.
Several studies have found berberine induced cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death, commonly known as apoptosis in cancer cells according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. Vitro studies suggest that berberine inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells to a greater extent than a chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin). (12) Further to this vivo studies have suggested berberine showed to have cancer cell apoptosis activity with tumour cells, in both human and rat malignant brain tumour cells at a dose of 150 mcg/ml and had an average cancer cell kill rate of 9%. Chemotherapy drug (carmustine) showed a cell kill rate of 43%. Rats treated showed with a dose of 10 mg/kg had an 81 percent kill rate. (13)
4. Supports Mouth ailments.
As a mouthwash golden seal may support symptoms of sore throats, mouth ulcers (canker sores) or gum conditions. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti- bacterial solution.
5. Studies have also suggested that golden seal
as a natural LDL-lowering agent.
Studies have suggested golden seal root extract demonstrated it is effective in regulation of the liver’s LDL receptors and in reducing plasma cholesterol. (14)
Possible Side Effects of Goldenseal
Goldenseal is considered safe for short-term use in adults at recommended dosages. There have been side effects noted but rare. May include nausea and vomiting. Discontinue and seek medical attention if any negative reactions occur. Always ask your doctor if concerned and seek advice of your doctor if using prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Goldenseal is not suggested for use in children or infants. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid using it.
Information was in no way medical advice and in no way meant to replace the advice of your Doctor or specialist advice. It is for reading purposes only on the studies of its uses in complimentary medicine therapies.
References
1. National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health: Golden Seal. retrieved 31/10/2018: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/goldenseal
2. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Current knowledge and pharmacological profile of berberine: An update. Kumar A, Ekavali2, Chopra K, Mukherjee M, Pottabathini R, Dhull DK. Retrieved 31/10/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26092760
3. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis by berberine in rats and mice.
Anis KV1, Rajeshkumar NV, Kuttan R. Retrieved 31/10/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11370717
4. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: The anti-inflammatory potential of berberine in vitro and in vivo. Kuo CL, Chi CW, Liu TY. Retrieved 31/10/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14732220
5. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin receptor expression. Zhang H1, Wei J, Xue R, Wu JD, Zhao W, Wang ZZ, Wang SK, Zhou ZX, Song DQ, Wang YM, Pan HN, Kong WJ, Jiang JD. Retrieved 31/10/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19800084
6. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Randomized controlled trial of berberine sulfate therapy for diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. Rabbani GH, Butler T, Knight J, Sanyal SC, Alam K Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3549923
7. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Glob Adv Health Med. 2014 May; 3(3): 16–24. Published online 2014 May 1. Herbal Therapy Is Equivalent to Rifaximin for the Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030608/
8. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Investigations into the antibacterial activities of phytotherapeutics against Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter; jejuni.Cwikla C1, Schmidt K, Matthias A, Bone KM, Lehmann R, Tiralongo E. Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19653313
9. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Quorum Quenching and Antimicrobial Activity of Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Nadja B. Cech,Hiyas A. Junio, Laynez W. Ackermann, Jeffrey S. Kavanaugh, and Alexander R. Horswill. Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4527992/
10. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Immune modulation of macrophage pro-inflammatory response by goldenseal and Astragalus extracts. Clement-Kruzel S1, Hwang SA, Kruzel MC, Dasgupta A, Actor JK. Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18800897
11. University of Michigan Health System (UMHS); Golden seal: Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2099007
12. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: The alkaloid Berberine inhibits the growth of Anoikis-resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines by inducing cell cycle arrest. Kim JB1, Yu JH, Ko E, Lee KW, Song AK, Park SY, Shin I, Han W, Noh DY. Retrieved 2/11/2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19800775
13. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Laboratory studies of berberine used alone and in combination with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea to treat malignant brain tumors. Zhang RX1, Dougherty DV, Rosenblum ML. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2122945
14. NCBI- PUB.MED.GOV: Journal of Lipid research; The medicinal plant goldenseal is a natural LDL-lowering agent with multiple bioactive components and new action mechanisms
Parveen Abidi, Wei Chen, Fredric B. Kraemer, Hai Li and Jingwen Liu. Retrieved 2/11/2018: http://www.jlr.org/content/47/10/2134
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