Goldenseal is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs. It’s also called eye root, yellow Indian plant, turmeric root, yellow paint root, orange root, goldenroot, Indian paint, eye balm, ground raspberry and its scientific name, Hydrastis canadensis.
Goldenseal has been overharvested from its native North America, so these days it is generally cultivated for medicinal purposes. Natural occurring goldenseal is near to being designated an endangered species.
However, talk to a doctor before taking goldenseal because it has some serious side effects and medicine interactions.
Goldenseal & Blood Pressure
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMCC), goldenseal is actually quite dangerous for people with high blood pressure. It interferes with medication used to treat hypertension. Be sure to consult your health care professional before taking goldenseal with any medications for high blood pressure.
Use of Goldenseal
According to the Medicinal Herb Info web site, the portion of the goldenseal plant that is used medicinally is the root, or rhizome.
The UMMC web site tells us that goldenseal is often taken combined with Echinacea, another popular medicinal herb. The combination is often used to treat common colds and coughs. Be careful about taking goldenseal if you think you might have elevated blood pressure.
Side Effects
The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, warns that people being treated for high blood pressure, liver disease or heart disease are warned against taking goldenseal. If you consider taking goldenseal, be sure to consult your health-care provider for instructions and dosage.
Pregnant women should not use goldenseal because the herb may cause the uterus to contract, causing the risk of miscarriage. Breast-feeding women should avoid using goldenseal because it may cause a life-threatening liver condition in the infant.
Research
The NCCAM site says that so far, few studies have been done on the use of goldenseal as a medicinal herb.
The website of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, MSKCC, explains that the majority of research for goldenseal has been done using two of its compounds, berberine and hydrastine, but not the actual herb. It goes on to state that most of those tests have been done in animal studies. As a result, there is no real scientific evidence of goldenseal’s effectiveness as an herbal remedy, and it may even be dangerous for many people.
Considerations
The MSKCC web site warns that taking goldenseal can interfere with the regulation of blood pressure. Be sure to discuss the use of this and all herbal supplements with your health care provider to avoid any harmful interactions.
Any new supplement can cause an allergic reaction. If you notice a rash, hives or shortness of breath while taking goldenseal, discontinue its use and contact your health care provider right away.
