Goldenseal Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Scientific Name: Hydrastis canadensis

Properties: Anti-fungal, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Sedative, Strongly expectorant, Mild laxative, Bitter, Tonic, Diaphoretic, Anti-tumor, Anti-hypertensive

What is Goldenseal?

Goldenseal is a plant that grows wildly and commercially in parts of the United States.¹ It’s one of the top five top-selling herbal remedies in the U.S.,² but the plant is threatened due to overharvesting.³ Its roots are used medicinally for conditions like ulcers.⁴ It’s also said to help with digestive issues, eye and mouth problems, skin diseases, and STDs like gonorrhea.² Other goldenseal benefits include that it acts as an antibiotic and immune system booster, and it helps fight cancer and improve heart health.²

Goldenseal contains a compound called berberine, which clinical studies have shown can be beneficial for some infections, such as those that cause eye infections and diarrhea.¹ This compound is also said to treat malaria and help dilate blood vessels to treat heart failure.⁵ Goldenseal can be taken by mouth or applied topically. It’s sometimes mixed with water and other ingredients to create natural remedies like skin washes and mouthwashes.5

Goldenseal Uses and Health Benefits

Goldenseal benefits are vast, making it a great natural remedy for a variety of conditions. Goldenseal uses include:

Skin Abrasions - Goldenseal has historically been used to treat skin infections.³ One of the many goldenseal benefits is that it acts as an antiseptic, so you can use it to disinfect cuts and scrapes. Apply it topically to prevent or treat infection.
Bacterial Vaginosis - Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that causes vaginal inflammation and smelly vaginal discharge. Goldenseal for BV bacterial vaginosis is an effective natural treatment. You can take it orally; otherwise, one of the common goldenseal uses is to use it as a vaginal douche.⁵
Congestive Heart Failure - Among goldenseal uses, it can be used to boost heart health and aid people with congestive heart failure.²
Osteomyelitis - Osteomyelitis is a bone infection, and taking goldenseal orally may help treat it.
Cervical Cancer - Goldenseal has also been used for fighting cancer.⁸ Taken orally, it may help in treating and preventing cervical cancer.
Gastritis - Gastritis is a group of conditions that cause inflammation to the stomach lining. Take goldenseal orally to help treat digestive problems like this.

It’s also been said that you can take goldenseal for chlamydia or use goldenseal for candida.⁷

Goldenseal Side Effects and Precautions

Goldenseal is generally considered safe, but in certain instances, goldenseal side effects may include irritation of the skin, mouth, throat, or vagina.⁵ Goldenseal side effects may also include an increased sensitivity to sunlight,⁵ and on rare occasions, it may result in nausea and vomiting.¹

Ask your care provider before taking goldenseal if you have liver disease, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Do not give to children, especially infants, and avoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.⁵ Do not take in high doses or for long-term use.¹ Whether you’re taking goldenseal for chlamydia or using goldenseal for BV bacterial vaginosis, be sure to talk to your doctor about how it may interact with other remedies you’re taking. Possible interactions may occur if you’re taking cyclosporine, digoxin, tetracycline, or anticoagulants among other prescription medications.⁵

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