# Goldenseal

## Remedy Classification
- **Type:** Herbal Remedy
- **Alternative Names:** Hydrastis canadensis, Goldenseal
- **Miasm:** Psoric Miasm
- **Temperament:** Neutral
- **Aggravation Time:** Neutral/Anytime

## Keynote Indications
Key Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Blood cleanser, mucous membrane.
Parts Used: Root.

## Modalities (Aggravations / Ameliorations)
Cautions: Do not take during pregnancy.

## Symptoms by System

### Stomach & Abdomen
- Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis A potent herbal medicine, goldenseal merits its reputation as a remedy that shifts chronic infection and heals weakened and congested mucous membranes.
- its key use lies in the treatment of chronic bacterial, fungal, or viral infection affecting mucous membranes anywhere in the body .
- medicinal uSeS Part used Root key actions Anti-inflammatory • Antimicrobial • Antibacterial • Blood cleanser • mucous membrane tonic • Protects liver gastrointestinal infection, gastritis, and liver disorders Strongly bitter and detoxifying, goldenseal exerts a positive influence on the stomach, intestines, and liver, helping in conditions as varied as peptic ulcer, dysbiosis, candidiasis, chronic gastroenteritis, and hepatitis.
- chronic infection Goldenseal can significantly boost the body’s ability to resist and shrug off lingering infection, whether it is a local fungal infection or glandular fever.
- it is often combined with echinacea (Echinacea purpurea).
- HydRAST iS CAnAdEnSiS key information Safety ★ ★ ★ ✩ traditional uSe ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ reSearch ★ ★ ★ ✩ beSt taken aS Tincture ✓✓✓ Tablet ✓✓ Capsule ✓ doSage C (see pp.44–45) often uSed With Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) cautionS Do not take during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.
- Not suitable for children.
- Keep to recommended dosage—high doses can irritate mucous membranes.
- See also pp.42–51.
- Native to North American woodlands, goldenseal is threatened in the wild through overharvesting.
- Use cultivated, organic root only.
- congestion problems Goldenseal improves the health of mucous membranes.
- it is useful, for example, in sinus and middle ear congestion, particularly where linked to chronic infection, as well in vaginal infection, where local application of a decoction may be helpful.
- fresh root root contains alkaloids with strong antimicrobial activity 147 key information Safety ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ traditional uSe ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ reSearch ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ beSt.
- taken aS Tincture ✓✓✓ Infusion ✓✓ Tablet, capsule, fixed oil (topically) ✓ doSage M, C (see pp.44–45) often uSed with Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) cautionS Can cause sensitivity to sunlight.
- If taking prescribed medication, including oral contraceptives, seek advice from an herbal or medical practitioner before commencing treatment with St.
- John’s wort.
- Do not combine with other antidepressants.
- See also pp.42–51.
- Part used Flowering top key actions Antidepressant • Antiviral • Nerve tonic • Wound healer depression, disturbed sleep, seasonal affective disorder (Sad) Constituents of St.
- John’s wort influence brain chemistry in several different ways, leading to better mood and morale.
- Sleep, vitality , and the ability to relax may also improve.
- Positive results may take up to six weeks; more commonly , improvement starts within two weeks.
- The herb helps banish the “winter blues,” reducing the impact of SAD during the winter months.
- In European herbal medicine, St.
- John’s wort has always been seen as a remedy to drive away down-heartedness and to heal wounds, and these areas remain its core therapeutic uses.
- Clinical trials indicate that side effects from taking St.
- John’s wort are mild and very infrequent.
- Risks in taking it arise only when it is used medicinal uSeS St.
- John’s wort Hypericum perforatum Few herbs are as well-known as St.
- John’s wort, its popularity resulting from conclusive clinical research and first-hand experience of its effectiveness in treating mild to moderate depression.
- Other uses include seasonal affective disorder, jet lag, and nervous exhaustion.
- St.
- John’s wort takes its name from the fact that the herb traditionally flowers by, and is harvested around, St.
- John’s Day on June 24th.
- alongside certain conventional medicines since, by stimulating liver detoxification, St.
- John’s wort lowers drug levels within the body and thus reduces their effectiveness.
- In practice, this means that if taking prescribed medication, you should seek advice from an herbal practitioner or doctor before taking St.
- John’s wort.
- anxiety, nervous exhaustion Although emphasis is placed on the herb’s ability to relieve depression, it also works well in relaxing and strengthening an exhausted nervous system that can occur as a result of long-term stress or worry .
- It can be particularly beneficial in cases involving flowering tops are used to lift mood and morale dried flowerS 148 A–z OF hERbAl REmEDIES both anxiety and depression.
- St.
- John’s wort can help lift mood and vitality during menopause, while its effect on the hormone melatonin may make it useful for jetlag.
- St.
- John’s wort has dark red oil glands that line the margins of both petals and leaves.
- These glands contain hypericin, a key active constituent.
- toothache, sciatica, shingles St.
- John’s wort oil helps to dull nerve pain and speed tissue repair.
- Apply fixed oil directly on the skin overlying neuralgic areas or apply on the cheek before dental treatment.
- gastritis and stomach ulcer, local wound healing The herb’s wound- healing properties can be put to good use, whether taken internally or applied externally .
- For stomach ulcers, take one teaspoonful of fixed oil a day .
- The fixed oil, which is naturally antiseptic, is traditionally regarded as useful for knife and puncture wounds, and aids healing of wounds, sprains, bruises, and arthritic joints.
- The oil can also be applied to post-operative scars— a modern extension of its traditional use.
- Essential oils may be added to the oil for topical use, as required.
- 149hyPERIC um PERFORAT um fixed oil St.
- John’S wort oil To make the oil, collect the flowering tops of St.
- John’s wort on a dry, sunny morning.
- Carefully chop the herb material into ½in (1cm) lengths and place in a large clear glass jar.
- Pour organic olive oil overtop until the herb is fully covered.
- Stir the contents thoroughly and seal.
- Put on a sunny windowsill and leave for four weeks until the oil turns pale crimson.
- Strain and bottle, or for a stronger oil repeat, using a fresh batch of herb.
- dark red oil glands