Echinacea and goldenseal are two plants commonly used in herbal preparations designed to treat or prevent ailments such as colds and digestive problems. In some cases, manufacturers combine them in products designed to boost immune function. Despite the popularity of echinacea and goldenseal, their effectiveness is only partially supported by current scientific evidence. Medicinal uses of herbs can have side effects and can interact with certain medications. Before using herbal therapy, consult your health-care provider.
Echinacea
Echinacea preparations may contain one or more of the three related species: E. angustifolia, E. purpurea and E. pallida, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. These preparations are available in the form of capsules, tinctures, extracts, ointments or pills. Echinacea plants derive their medicinal properties from a number of chemical compounds, including flavonoids, volatile oils, polysaccharides, glycoproteins and alkamides. These compounds are found in varying amounts in the roots and above-ground portions of the various echinacea species.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is the common name for the plant species Hydrastis canadensis. In addition to products that combine this herb with echinacea, you may receive it in forms that include liquid or low-alcohol extracts, capsules or tablets. According to Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, goldenseal's active ingredients include the alkaloid compounds hydrastine, berberine, canadine, beta-hydrastine and canadaline. Due to its popularity in various herbal preparations, the plant is frequently overharvested and under a number of trade restrictions.
Echinacea Effectiveness
In animal studies and laboratory conditions, the active ingredients in echinacea appear to diminish inflammation, ease pain symptoms and boost immune activity, in addition to having antioxidant and antiviral properties, UMMC states. As a result, you may receive echinacea preparations for relief of ailments ranging from hay fever to yeast and urinary tract infections. When used to treat or diminish the duration of cold symptoms, echinacea produces mixed results, with valid clinical trials both supporting and discounting its beneficial effects. In part, UMMC notes, these discrepancies may stem from the wide variability in the specific echinacea content of preparations used in different studies.
Goldenseal Effectiveness
In laboratory conditions, the goldenseal component berberine has the ability to kill a wide range of harmful yeasts, bacteria and parasites, according to UMMC. It may also have the ability to boost the effectiveness of the white blood cells in your immune system. However, the human intestinal tract does not appear to absorb berberine effectively, and there is minimal evidence of goldenseal's real-world effectiveness in boosting immune function or addressing respiratory infections or asthma. Additionally, current evidence does not support the use of combined echinacea/goldenseal preparations in addressing cold symptoms.
Considerations
You should not use echinacea if you have ailments such as diabetes, leukemia, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS or multiple sclerosis, or use immunosuppressant medications, UMMC cautions. In some cases, use of echinacea may trigger mild to severe allergic reactions. You should not use goldenseal if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have cardiovascular disease or hypertension, Memorial Sloan-Kettering notes. Potential side effects of goldenseal include gastrointestinal distress and rare instances of nervousness. Potential signs of goldenseal toxicity include nausea, vomiting, seizures and hallucinations. Speak to your health-care provider before taking these herbs.
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