Practitioners of alternative medicine recommend taking the herbs echinacea and goldenseal together to fight infections. The herbal combination is particularly indicated when treating bacterial infections, such as strep throat, sinusitis and bronchial and urinary tract infections. However, while herbal remedies may offer certain benefits, they do not replace advice from medical professionals. Consult your physician before self-treating any bacterial infection with echinacea and goldenseal.
Echinacea Effects
Although echinacea currently ranks as one of the most-used herbs in herbal medicine, scientists and herbal practitioners differ in their opinions as to its efficacy and mechanism of action. Phyllis A. Balch, certified nutritional consultant and author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," claims that echinacea helps to stimulate your immune system by activating macrophages, while blood cells that destroy bacteria. A number of lab and animal studies agree that echinacea contains key constituents that help to boost immunity and counter bacterial infections. However, a scientific review conducted at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, published in the January 2003 issue of "Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology," found that data proving echinacea's effectiveness remains inconclusive.
Goldenseal Benefits
Goldenseal contains the active ingredients berberine and hydrastine. According to Steven Foster, herbalist and author of the book "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine," research indicates that berberine exerts significant effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including intestinal parasites and Staphylococcus. A Chinese study published in the November 2009 issue of the "Journal of Orthopaedic Research" agrees that berberine appears to effectively treat staphylococcus. Foster notes, however, that oral goldenseal provides only trace amounts of berberine. Moreover, you should only take goldenseal for limited periods of time, as large doses can cause hydrastine toxicity.
Echinacea-Goldenseal Combination
Echinacea and goldenseal both enhance immune activity and possess antimicrobial properties. However, echinacea has more potent immune-boosting qualities, while goldenseal provides valuable antimicrobial effects against a wider range of bacterial infections. Combined, herbalists suggest that echinacea and goldenseal make a formidable team. Secondary bacterial infections commonly take hold when your body's resistance is low. Laurel Vukovic, alternative health advocate and author of the book "All About Echinacea & Goldenseal," claims that the herbal duo provides powerful antibacterial action and, together, fights off primary and secondary bacterial infections. The need exists for further clinical studies, however, to confirm such claims.
Considerations
Available in liquid extracts, ointments, tablets and capsules, echinacea and goldenseal preparations can vary in potency. Generally considered safe, echinacea can cause nausea. Pregnant and nursing women and others trying to conceive should avoid the herb. Goldenseal can produce stomach irritation and toxicity when on a routine basis. Diabetics and pregnant and nursing women should not use goldenseal. Additionally, both herbs may interfere with absorption rates of certain medications.
References
- "All About Echinacea & Goldenseal"; Laurel Vukovic; 1999
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- "Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology"; Medicinal Properties of Echinacea: A Critical Review; B. Barrett; January 2003
- "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine"; Steven Foster, et al; 2006
- "Journal of Orthopaedic Research: Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society"; Berberine Inhibits Staphylococcus Epidermidis Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on the Surface of Titanium Alloy; X. Wang, et al.; November 2009
