Goldenseal is a herb that has natural antibiotic qualities. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, goldenseal's ability to treat infections may be due to its berberine content. Berberine is an compound that is able to fight certain kinds of infections, including eye and gastrointestinal conditions. Goldenseal can also be packaged with the herb echinacea as a cold remedy. There is limited scientific evidence on the efficacy of goldenseal, but you may still take it in tincture form as an antibiotic herbal supplement. Consult a doctor before using it.
Step 1
Procure goldenseal tincture from a reputable source. Because goldenseal is considered a supplement, it is not as carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Whenever possible, purchase herbs from major retailers or talk to your pharmacist to determine which manufacturers are most reliable.
Step 2
Drink 2 to 3mL of the tincture three times daily. This is the standard dose if you are using goldenseal to treat gastrointestinal or other internal infections. Goldenseal tincture can be taken straight because it typically comes in a 1:5 dilution with water or some other beverage.
Step 3
Dilute goldenseal tincture for topical use. To make a solution to treat skin irritation, dilute 5mL of tincture in 100mL of water and use it to bathe irritated parts of your body. Alternatively, you can dilute 2 to 3mL of the tincture with an equal volume of water to use as a douche for vaginal infections. You can also make a mouthwash or gargle by diluting 2 to 3mL of goldenseal tincture with a cup of lukewarm water.
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