Licorice and goldenseal, two herbs in which the roots boast the highest medicinal powers, are commonly used therapeutic herbs. It's important to understand potential interactions between herbs. No known interaction between the two herbs currently exists, but it's always best to check with your doctor before attempting any herbal treatments.
Primary Uses
The ailments that both licorice and goldenseal are associated with include the common cold, skin disorders, digestive problems and sore throat, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other illnesses sometimes treated with goldenseal include scrapes and cuts, diarrhea, vaginitis, eye infections, canker sores and sore gums. Licorice root's additional uses extend to stomach ulcers and viral hepatitis. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that current research doesn't support the use of licorice root for any of its traditional or current uses, although an injectable form may fight hepatitis. NCCAM is similarly cautious about goldenseal, reporting that goldenseal contains too low a concentration of its anti-infective compound, berberine, to be effective on its own.
Licorice Interactions and Warnings
Licorice root should not be taken by people on ACE inhibitors or prescription medication and herbs with diuretic or laxative effects, warns UMMC. It also may interact negatively with MAO inhibitors, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids and digoxin. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not take the herb. Several conditions also prohibit the use of licorice root, including heart disease and heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, fluid retention and diabetes.
Goldenseal Interactions and Warnings
Goldenseal may interfere negatively with blood thinning medication and with tetracycline antibiotics, warns UMMC. Pregnant or nursing women should not take goldenseal. People with heart disease, liver disease or high blood pressure should also avoid the herb.
Possible Interaction
Licorice and goldenseal are not known to directly affect one another in either a negative or a positive way. Yet while the medications restricted for goldenseal and for licorice do not intersect, some of the conditions that either of the herbs may exacerbate are the same. While you should avoid taking either of the herbs if you fall into any of these prohibited groups, taking both obviously increases the risk of side effects. As noted, the populations who should avoid both goldenseal and licorice root include pregnant and nursing women and people with heart disease, liver disease and high blood pressure.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbs with Similar Uses as Goldenseal
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Goldenseal
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Licorice
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:Licorice Root
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Goldenseal
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