Echinacea and goldenseal are used in alternative medicine to combat infections. Commercial products combining the two herbs are sold as remedies for the common cold. As with any form of alternative medicine, check with your health care provider and make sure it's safe for you to take echinacea and goldenseal.
History
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the American Indians used both echinacea and goldenseal to treat skin and eye problems, wounds and infections. Other historical uses of echinacea include its use as a therapy for blood poisoning, malaria, scarlet fever and syphilis. Although echinacea was used extensively during the 1700s and 1800s, the discovery and development of antibiotics caused this use to decrease. In 1997, extensive use and harvest of goldenseal caused it to be placed in a category of plants at risk for becoming endangered species. Both herbs continue to be used today.
Chemical Features
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the echinacea plant contains a combination of chemicals, but the specific concentrations of each differs between the plant's root, and the leaves and stalk. One of these chemical groups, found in greater concentrations in the portions above the ground, is polysaccharide compound, which exerts a strengthening effect on the immune system.
Berberine, found in goldenseal, helps fight infections and may discourage tumor growth, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Goldenseal contains only a small quantity of berberine, however, and may not contain enough to be effective.
Current Usage
Echinacea is used in alternative medicine to treat infections such as colds or the flu. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that it is also used for urinary tract infections, ear infections, yeast infections and hay fever. Additionally, echinacea is used for skin disorders and to help wound healing.
Goldenseal is also used in alternative medicine for hay fever, for upper respiratory infections and eye infections, to soothe an upset stomach and to treat diarrhea. It is used topically as an antiseptic agent for wounds and as a mouthwash for sores in the mouth and throat.
Effectiveness
Two studies by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed echinacea brought no benefit to people suffering from colds, although other studies found echinacea helped in treating upper respiratory infections.
Studies proving berberine's ability to fight infection have been conducted, but because the berberine content in goldenseal is so low, the center expresses concern about applying these results to goldenseal.
Availability
The herbs are available in capsule, tincture and tea form and can be ordered through herbal supply companies or found at health food stores.
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