Traditional Herbal Uses for Goldenseal

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Traditional Herbal Uses for Goldenseal

By _Lisa Barger_ (http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Barger)

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Native to the damp woodland areas of the Northeast, goldenseal is one of the

top selling medicinal herbs in the North America. Known botanically as

Hydrastis canadensis, goldenseal has a long history of use as a medicinal

plant.

Native Peoples throughout the area recognized the healing potential of this

unassuming-looking herb and used it extensively.

Traditional Medical Uses for Goldenseal

Native Americans used goldenseal both medicinally and non-medicinally. The

best known non-medicinal use for goldenseal was as a fabric dye.

The Cherokee used goldenseal for inflammation, as a cancer treatment, and to

treat digestive problems. The Iroquois used goldenseal to treat diarrhea, to

bring down fevers and to treat ear and eye infections.

Other problems treated with goldenseal included whooping cough, heart disease

and mouth sores.

Goldenseal Today

By the mid-1800s, goldenseal had become so popular that wild populations of

this small perennial began to decline dramatically. In 1997 goldenseal was

place on the Endangered Species list and gathering the herb on public lands

became illegal. Today, because of continuing demand, many goldenseal products

are

adulterations using goldenseal leaves instead of the vastly more valuable

roots.

Today's herbalists understand that goldenseal is poisonous in large doses so

they use the herb sparingly--mainly for its anti-microbial properties. A

handful of studies have shown goldenseal to be an effective antibacterial and

anti-parasitic. Herbalists prescribe goldenseal to treat bacterial infections,

tapeworm infestations, bacteria-caused diarrhea and more.

Current Research

Both of goldenseal's active constituents, berberine and hydrastine, appear to

strengthen the circulatory system and berberine has shown significant

antispasmodic properties. Additional studies seem to indicate that goldenseal

may

someday prove effective in the fight against cancer. Berberine has been shown

to be toxic to some types of cancer cells.

Other unproven herbal uses for goldenseal include using it as an immune

stimulant, a natural antibiotic and as a digestive tonic.

 

 

Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health

education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in " Empowerment through

Education " or to take a free online natural health class see her website,

_http://www.LisaBarger.com_ (http://www.lisabarger.com/)

 

 

 

 

You are the joy of all joyous things, You are the light of the beam of the

sun,

You are the surpassing star of guidance,You are the step of the deer on the

hill,You are the step of the horse in the river valley,You are the shape of

the swan of swimming,You are the grace of all lovely graces.

--Old Gaelic Blessing

 

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