Goldenrod-horsetail compound is a liquid extract containing five herbs that have been traditionally used in folk and alternative medicine to treat urinary tract problems, including UTIs, or urinary tract infections. However, neither the compound nor any of the individual herbs have been approved by medical professionals as a safe and effective treatment for any condition. Do not use any dosage of goldenrod-horsetail compound until you've spoken to your doctor about the possible side effects.
Goldenrod-Horsetail Compound
A typical commercial goldenrod-horsetail compound concoction is made up of 20 percent by volume of each of the following herbal extracts: goldenrod, cornsilk, horsetail, uva ursi and juniper berry. Goldenrod is a flowering plant, and Europeans use the flowers to make a tea that is thought to clean out the urinary tract. Cornsilk, the threadlike fibers surrounding ears of corn, was used by native tribes in Central and South America as a diuretic and antibacterial agent. Likewise, horsetail and uva ursi supplements are recommended by modern alternative medicine practitioners to treat urinary tract infections. According to Botanical.com, juniper berry oil is traditionally used to treat bladder and kidney disease.
Recommended Dosage for UTI
The Herbal Compounds website reports that the dosage of goldenrod-horsetail extract required to treat an acute urinary tract infection is 30 to 40 drops mixed in water, consumed three to five times per day. However, there is little reputable scientific evidence to indicate that any of the herbs contained in goldenrod-horsetail compound can reliably treat urinary tract infections, and less evidence to support the efficacy of the dosage amount recommended for goldenrod-horsetail extract. In fact, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that studies on horsetail and goldenrod determined neither herb had a significant effect on urinary infections.
Possible Side Effects
Each of the herbs contained in goldenrod-horsetail compound has potential side effects and may interact with the proper function of other medications you may be taking. The extract may cause thiamin deficiency, heartburn, insomnia, nausea, vomiting and mood swings. Avoid using goldenrod-horsetail compound if you are using any of the following medications: corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, furosemide, lithium, diruetics and digoxin. You should also not use the compound if you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver problems, osteoporosis, either high or low blood pressure, or if you are pregnant or nursing.
Considerations
Goldenrod-horsetail compound is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not checked for purity or safety. There are no scientific studies available to confirm that long-term use of any of the herbs in the extract are safe, as well as no information about how much you can take before it threatens to become toxic. Do not attempt to self-treat a urinary tract infection with goldenrod-horsetail compound and do not use the extract as a substitute for antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. If you are using goldenrod-horsetail compound and develop a fever or have bloody urine, seek medical attention.
