Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Herb Of The Week - Goldenseal - Medical Attributes

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

A good article, complete with references, by By Kerry Pietlukiewicz

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA

 

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

http://wilkes1.wilkes.edu/~kklemow/Hydrastis.html

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Attributes of Hydrastis canadensis - Goldenseal

 

 

 

By Kerry Pietlukiewicz

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA

 

 

 

July, 1999

 

 

Hydrastis canadensis L. (goldenseal) is a small perennial herb with a

bright yellow rhizome, due to the colored alkaloid berberine

(Hobbs,1998). The species is native to North America, mostly in the

eastern and southern United States, and is found mainly in open wooded

areas with good drainage and rich soil in wild forests (Hoffmann 1995).

Mature individuals stand approximately 6-18 inches tall, have a single

hairy stem with brownish hairy leaves at the base, and a single white or

creamy yellow flower on top of the plant (Hobbs 1998; OnHealth Network

Co. 1999). It emerges in early spring and clusters of red berries are

present in the summer (Hobbs 1998). The name Hydrastis is derived from

two Greek words meaning, water and to accomplish. The name apparently

arises from a misconception that the plant grows in bog meadows (Hobbs

1998), though it might arise from the effect the plant has on mucous

membranes (;Grieve 1995; Tyler 1997).

 

Due to the medicinal value of this plant becoming increasingly popular

and in high demand it is currently at risk of becoming endangered. As a

result it is only abundant in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky and

ports of Illinois (Grieve, 1995; Hobbs, 1998). Organically grown golden

seal is recommended in order to preserve the native plant.

 

The main active constituents having medicinal value are hydrastine and

berberine (Sturms, et. al. 1998, El-Masry, et. al. 1980). Originally

this plant was used by native Indian tribes for purposes such as:

preventing or reducing the itch from insect bites, diuretic, stimulant,

jaundice, ulcerated stomachs, colds, sore throats, antiseptic,

snakebites, and primarily a wash for sore and reddened eyes (Grieve

1995, Hobbs 1996; Hobbs 1998; McCaleb 1994). Currently golden seal is

used for many other purposes including gallstones, irritable bowel

syndrome, ear infections, postpartum uterine bleeding, vaginal yeast

infections, astringent, laxative, urinary tract infections and damaged

liver due to drugs and alcoholism (Foster 1995, RxList Herbal FAQ 1999).

Recent studies have also shown that golden seal is also effective when

used for antibiotic or immuno-stimulatory purposes which is thought to

be associated with berberine. In addition to this, studies have

indicated that the production of a synergistic effect,which enhances the

immune system, is produced when golden seal is taken in conjunction with

Echinacea and/or garlic (Hobbs 1996, Douglass, et. al. 1997). Berberine

has also been shown to activate macrophages (Hoffmann 1995), as well as

inhibit tumor formation in the laboratory possibly suggesting

antineoplastic activity (Nishino, et. al. 1986, Hoffmann 1995, Gentry,

et.al. 1998). In vitro antimicrobial effects have been demonstrated

against nineteen species of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi (Hoffmann

1995, Gentry, et.al. 1998). While berberine is noted as a stronger and

more effective agent against some pathogens, the antimicrobial activity

of this alkaloid is not to be put in the same class of effectiveness as

antibiotics. This is due to the point that we are dealing with whole

plants and not extracted constituents (Hoffmann 1995). Studies have

indicated that due to the ability of golden seal to flush toxins from

the body when accompanied by excessive water intake, a false negative

result on urine tests is not impossible. however, H. canadensis is

reputed to produce false negative drug results with urine tests (Cone,

et. al 1998; Mikkelsen 1998; P.G.O'C 1996).

 

Individuals with certain preexisting conditions should avoid taking this

herb including cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, a problem with blood

coagulation, those currently on any blood-thinning agent, and high blood

pressure (hydrastine causes a rise in pressure.) Those who are trying to

get pregnant or are pregnant, breastfeeding (causes neonatal jaundice)

should avoid goldenseal. Those planing to administer goldenseal to

children should first consult with a physician (RxList Herbal FAQ 1999,

Gormley 1996). Goldenseal is slowly released from the liver, and

therefore can accumulate, leading to blood toxicity. High doses can

interfere with vitamin B metabolism. Goldenseal comes in the form of

capsules, tinctures, extract, dried root or a tea (RxList Herbal FAQ

1999). This herb should not be used any longer than 1-2 weeks and the

recommended dosage should be followed exactly in order to avoid toxicity

(RxList Herbal FAQ 1999).

 

Side Effects that can occur from goldenseal, especially from longterm

use, include: weakened flora in the colon mucosa, gastrointestinal tract

irritation, uterine contractions, neonatal jaundice, vomiting,

bradycardia (low heart rate), hypertension (high blood pressure),

seizures, cardiac problems, respiratory failure, exaggerated reflex

spasms, convulsions, shock, paralysis, and even death (RxList Herbal

FAQ,1999).

 

 

 

LITERATURE CITED

 

 

Cone E.J., R. Lange, & W.D. Darwin. 1998. In vivo adulteration: excess

fluid ingestion causes false negative marijuana and cocaine urine test

results. The Journal of Analytical Toxicology 22(6):460-73

 

Davis, J.M. 1996. Advances in Goldenseal Cultivation. Proceedings of the

International Herb Growers and Marketers Association Conference.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-131.html

<http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-131.html%20>

 

Douglass, W.C., 1997. Herbal protection for colds and flu. Second

Opinion 7 (10): 4.

 

El-Masry S., M.A. Korany, & A.H. Abou-Donia, 1980. Colorimetric and

Spectrophotometric Determinations of Hydrastis Alkaloids in

Pharmaceutical Preparations. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 69(5):

597-8.

 

Foster, S. 1995. Goldenseal. Better Nutrition for Today's Living 57

(10): 60.

 

Gentry EJ, HB Jampani, A Keshavarz-Shokri, MD Morton, DV Velde, H

Telikepalli, LA Mitscher, R Shawar, D Humble, & W. Baker. 1998.

Antitubercular natural products: berberine from the roots of commercial

Hydrastis canadensis powder. Isolation of inactive

8-oxotetrahdrothalidendine, canadine, beta-hydrastine, and two new

quinic acid esters, hyccandinic acid esters-1 and & endash;2. Journal of

Natural Products 61(10): 1187-93.

 

Gormley, J.J.,1996. My little buttercup? Goldenseal delivers relief for

a... Better Nutrition 58 (4): 38.

 

Grieve, M. 1995 Golden Seal. Botanical.com.

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/golsea27.html.

 

Hobbs, C. 1996 The Dynamic Duo: Echinacea and Golden Seal. Herbal

Medicine. http://www.healthy.net/hwlibraryarticles/hobbs.echydra.htm.

 

Hoffmann, D.L 1995 Golden Seal. Health World Online

http://www.healthy.net/hwlibrarybooks.hoffman/materiamedica/goldenseal.h

tm.

 

Jamison, S.J. 1999. Attacking Herbs That Naturally Tame the Fierce Cold

Season. Better Nutrition 61: 50.

 

McCaleb, R.1994. Unearthing the health care of goldenseal. Better

Nutrition for Today's Living, 56 (9): 58.

 

Mikkelsen S.L. & A. Ko. 1998. Adulterants causing false negatives in

illicit drug testing. Clinical Chemistry 34 (11); 2333-6.

 

Nishino H., K. Kitagawa, H.Fujiki, A.Iwashima. 1986. Berberine sulfate

inhibits tumor-promoting activity of telocidin in two-stage

carcinogenesis on mouse skin. Oncology 43(2): 131-4.

 

OnHealth Network Co. 1999. Goldenseal. Herbal Index

http://onhealth.com/ch1/resource/herbs/items,16007.asp

 

P.G.O'C, 1996. Marijuana masker. Cortland Forum 9 (9): 99.

 

RxList Herbal FAQ. 1999. Goldenseal & endash; Frequently Asked Questions.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/goldenseal_faq.htm.

 

Sturms S. & H. Stuppner 1998. Analysis of ioquinoline alkaloids in

medicinal plants by capillary electrophoresis - mass spectrometry.

Electrophoresis 19 (16-17): 3026-32.

 

Tyler, V.E., 1997. Goldenseal. Prevention 49 (7): 68.

 

 

_____

 

This paper was developed as part of the BIO 368 - Medical Botany course

offered at Wilkes University during the summer of 1999. Course

instructor was Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D. (kklemow).

The information contained herein is based on published sources, and is

made available for academic purposes only. No warrantees, expressed or

implied, are made about the medical usefulness or dangers associated

with the plant species in question.

 

Return to Plant <http://wilkes1.wilkes.edu/~kklemow/summaries.html>

Summaries page

 

 

_____

 

This page posted and maintained by Kenneth M. Klemow,

<http://wilkes1.wilkes.edu/~kklemow/index.html> Ph.D., Biology

Department, Wilkes <http://www.wilkes.edu/> University, Wilkes-Barre,

PA 18766. (570) 408-4758, kklemow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...