Botanically known as Hydrastis canadensis, goldenseal is used as a tonic and easily combines with Echinacea to help restore the body's immune system, says the book "Family Herbal--A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health and Vitality," by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Echinacea has three species that share the same attributes: Echinacea pallida, Echinacea angustofolia and Echinacea purpurea. The use of goldenseal and echinacea restores overall health in the body and helps prevent illness. Always consult your primary physician before taking any herbal remedies, especially if you are under a treatment. Some herbs may interact with medications.
For Skin Health
Both goldenseal and Echinacea build your body's resistance to disease by boosting your immune system. According to the book "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism," by Simon Mills, this attribute can be used to fight skin disorders such as ringworm and eczema.
For a skin bath, make an echinacea and goldenseal infusion by adding a gallon of boiling water to three cups each of organic dry echinacea and goldenseal. Let the herbs steep for at least four hours. Strain out the herbs and add this infusion to your bathwater. Soak in the water for 15 to 20 minutes.
For Gastrointestinal Health
In the book "The New Holistic Herbal," herbalist David Hoffmann writes that goldeseal is used to help coat and restore the gastrointestinal tract's mucous membrane. By restoring the mucous membrane, goldenseal can treat colitis, septic ulceration and gastritis, bringing relief to inflammation and irritation present in the gut. Echinacea stimulates the body to build regenerative tissue during this period of support provided by goldenseal's lining of the membrane. Echinacea also has bactericidal properties, promoting the body to simultaneously heal and become stronger against further infection, say James Duke and Steven Foster in their book "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs."
For gastrointestinal relief, take two droppersful each of echinacea and goldeseal tincture, diluted in filtered water, three times per day.
For Respiratory Health
Hoffman considers goldenseal a useful aid when it comes to treating severe cases of catarrh. According to the book "Making Plant Medicine," written by herbalist Richo Cech, echinacea is used successfully in promoting the healing process of respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, catarrh, colds and flus.
Make a tea that you will drink three times per day with organic echinacea and goldenseal. Steep 2 tsp. of each herb for five to 10 minutes in a cup of hot water and flavor with honey to taste.
References
- "Family Herbal-A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality"; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
- "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism"; Simon Y. Mills M.A., M.N.I.M.H.;1988
- "The New Holistic Herbal"; David Hoffmann; 1995
- "A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs"; Steven Foster and James A. Duke; 2000
- "Making Plant Medicine"; Richo Cech; 2000
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