|
Other common
name(s): eye balm, eye root, goldsiegel, ground
raspberry, Indian dye, Indian paint, jaundice root, yellow paint,
yellow puccoon, yellow root
Scientific/medical
name(s): Hydrastis
canadensis
Description
Goldenseal is a bitter herb related to the buttercup. It is
native to the eastern United States, although it can be grown
elsewhere. Goldenseal takes its name from the golden-yellow scars that
appear at the top of the root when the stem is broken off, which
resemble an old-fashioned wax letter seal. The roots and rootstock, or
rhizomes, of the plant are used in herbal remedies.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
goldenseal is effective in treating cancer or other diseases.
Goldenseal can have toxic side effects, and high doses can cause death.
Some supplements sold as goldenseal contain other herbs and compounds
that can make their effects unpredictable. Two chemicals in the herb
(berberine and hydrastine) have been studied for use as medical
treatments.
How is it promoted for use?
Practitioners promote the use of goldenseal for a wide variety
of conditions, including digestive problems such as peptic ulcers and
colitis, urinary tract irritation, constipation, poor appetite,
bleeding after childbirth, painful menstruation, eczema, itching,
ringing in the ears, tuberculosis, cancer, and other ailments. Some
claim goldenseal stimulates the immune system, and some recommend it
for colds. Goldenseal has been used on the skin to treat wounds, herpes
sores, and other skin conditions. It is sometimes made into a tea and
used as a mouthwash or as a douche.
Berberine, a chemical contained in goldenseal, is said to
fight off infection caused by some bacteria, fungi, and yeast and can
act as a mild sedative. Some claim that berberine is more effective
than aspirin for reducing fevers. Another chemical in goldenseal,
hydrastine, is said to reduce blood pressure. Some people believe that
goldenseal helps mask drugs in the urine so they cannot be detected on
drug screening tests.
What does it involve?
Goldenseal can be taken internally as a capsule, extract,
tincture, or tea. Suppliers also grind the root and sell the powder,
which can be prepared in different ways. The amount of goldenseal
recommended depends on how it is prepared (for example, tincture versus
dried root).
Proponents use tooth powder and mouthwash made from goldenseal
to treat tooth and gum infections. They also apply the powder to cold
sores and skin wounds. Some use a goldenseal solution in ear drops,
douches, and eye drops for conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye).
Salves made from goldenseal are used for eczema and psoriasis.
What is the history behind it?
For centuries some Native American tribes have used goldenseal
for medicinal purposes. It was taken as a stimulant and used for
stomach ulcers. Mouth sores and irritated eyes were washed with
goldenseal solutions. It was also used as a face paint and as a dye for
clothing. The herb later became an important ingredient in American
folk medicine. It was made into an eyewash and into a tea to treat
sores in the mouth and throat.
By 1900, it had been harvested nearly to extinction and is
still considered an endangered species. It is currently grown in the
United States in limited quantities. Possibly because of the small
supply, some sellers substitute or mix goldenseal with other herbs that
also contain berberine.
There can be wide variation among products sold as goldenseal.
A study published in 2003 looked for the main goldenseal compounds in
twenty different goldenseal products from different marketers.
Hydrastine content ranged from none (0%) to 3%, and berberine ranged
from less than 1% to nearly 6% in product samples. Another study
published in 2003 tested goldenseal powder obtained from three
different suppliers. It found that the samples contained varying
amounts of the goldenseal compounds. One of the samples contained
compounds that are not found in goldenseal.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support the use of
goldenseal for cancer or any other medical condition in humans. There
has been limited testing of goldenseal for other conditions. In one
animal study, goldenseal appeared to stimulate the immune system.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, recommended that
the National Toxicology Program (NTP) test goldenseal for its potential
to cause developmental problems and/or cancer of the reproductive
system. To date, no findings on reproductive effects have been
published by NTP. However, a group of researchers in Australia studied
the effect of goldenseal on the outcomes of rat pregnancies. No ill
effects were found, although the researchers caution that false results
could have happened due to goldenseal’s poor absorption when
the herb is taken by mouth. In other words, it is possible that the
rats did not actually absorb enough of the herb for it to have an
effect.
Two of the chemicals in goldenseal—berberine and
hydrastine—have been studied for some time. Laboratory
research seemed to show that berberine stopped some cancer cells from
reproducing, but this effect did not carry over when it was tested in
animals. Later laboratory tests showed promise with one type of brain
cancer, but animal studies have not been completed. Studies in the
laboratory have shown that direct contact with berberine helps stop
bacteria and some types of fungus from growing. Animal studies suggest
that it may also reduce certain types of diarrhea. In addition,
berberine has been studied for its blood-thinning and heart stimulant
properties in animals.
Hydrastine, another component of goldenseal, may raise blood
pressure. Animal studies have suggested it may help with stabilizing
diabetes. Further studies are needed to determine whether the results
apply to humans. In addition, it is important to remember that herb
extracts would not be expected to have the same effect as the whole
herb.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Goldenseal may produce toxic effects, including digestive
complaints, nervousness, depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat,
diarrhea, stomach cramps and pain, mouth ulcers, nausea, seizures,
vomiting, and central nervous system depression. High doses may cause
breathing problems, paralysis, and even death. Long-term use may lead
to vitamin B deficiency, hallucinations, and delirium.
Berberine, one of the active compounds in goldenseal, can
disrupt heart rhythm. This compound can also cause jaundice in
newborns, a condition marked by yellowed skin and eyes that is
sometimes linked to deafness or brain damage. Goldenseal may have an
unpredictable effect on blood pressure, since different compounds in it
have opposite effects on blood pressure. People with high blood
pressure or heart disease may be more likely to be harmed by goldenseal
than people without these conditions.
If hives, a rash, or shortness of breath develops, stop taking
goldenseal and seek medical attention immediately. Potential
interactions between goldenseal and other drugs and herbs should also
be considered. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs
and supplements you are taking.
Berberine is known to reduce sperm motility in bulls, but it
is unknown whether it affects fertility in humans. Men who are trying
to have children may wish to avoid goldenseal until human studies are
done. There are also concerns that high doses of goldenseal might
tighten the womb in pregnant women and cause miscarriage or early
labor. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use
goldenseal unless further studies show it to be safe.
Goldenseal applied to the skin may make it more sensitive to
the sun, so avoid sunlight and artificial sunlight while using it. If
sunlight is unavoidable, cover up or use sunscreens.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Davis JM, McCoy JA. Commercial goldenseal cultivation.
Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture &
Life Sciences. North Carolina State University web site.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-131.html. Updated July 2000.
Accessed June 5, 2008.
Edwards DJ, Draper EJ. Variations in alkaloid content of
herbal products containing goldenseal. J Am Pharm Assoc.
2003;43:419-423.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines.
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Goldenseal. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Web site.
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69241.cfm. Updated December 19, 2007.
Accessed June 5, 2008.
Gruenwald J. PDR
for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR;
2004.
Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, Williams DK, Gentry WB,
Khan IA, Shah A. In vivo effects of goldenseal, kava kava, black
cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5
phenotypes. Clin
Pharmacol Ther. 2005;77:415-426.
Gurley BJ, Swain A, Hubbard MA, Hartsfield F, Thaden J,
Williams DK, Gentry WB, Tong Y. Supplementation with goldenseal
(Hydrastis Canadensis), but not kava kava (Piper methysticum), inhibits
human CYP3A activity in vivo. Clin
Pharmacol Ther. 2008:83:61-69.
Inbaraj JJ, Kukielczak BM, Bilski P, Sandvik SL, Chignell CF.
Photochemistry and photocytotoxicity of alkaloids from Goldenseal
(Hydrastis canadensis L.) 1. Berberine. Chem Res Toxicol.
2001;14:1529-1534.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
National Institutes of Health. Goldenseal. National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/goldenseal/. Updated May 27, 2008. Accessed
June 5, 2008.
Rehman J, Dillow JM, Carter SM, Chou J, Le B, Maisel AS.
Increased production of antigen-specific immunoglobulins G and M
following in vivo treatment with the medicinal plants Echinacea
angustifolia and Hydrastis canadensis. Immunol Lett.
1999;68:391-395.
Weber HA, Zart MK, Hodges AE, Hodges AE, Molloy HM,
O’Brien BM, Moody LA, Clark AP, Harris RK, Overstreet JD,
Smith CS. Chemical comparison of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.)
root powder from three commercial suppliers. J Agric Food Chem.
2003;51:7352-7358.
Yao M, Ritchie HE, Brown-Woodman PD. A reproductive screening
test of goldenseal. Birth
Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol. 2005;74:399-404.
Zeiger E. Goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis l.) and two of its
consituent alkaloids berberine [2086-83-1] and hydrastine [118-08-1]
review of toxicological literature. November 1997. National Toxicology
Program Web site.
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/Goldenseal.pdf.
Accessed June 5, 2008.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims,
uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not
intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a
substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your
medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
|
