Effect:
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immune-boosting, anti-irritant, antiviral
Areas of application:
Respiratory diseases, colds, flu, coughs, runny nose, vaginal infections, infectious diarrhea, eye infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial and viral infections of all kinds, skin ulcers, boils, skin rashes, skin irritations, mouth ulcers, other irritations of the oral mucous membranes, removes toxins from the body, cleanses kidneys and urinary tract, athlete's foot, acne, wounds, heavy menstrual bleeding, internal bleeding
Plant parts used:
root
Collection time:
Autumn
To find:
Is classified as endangered!! In rich, moist, shady forests under deciduous trees in North America.
Ingredients:
Berberine, alkaloid hydrastine, berberastine, hydrastine, tetrahydroberberastine, canadine and canalidine
Miscellaneous:
The Goldenseal has a thick, gnarled, yellowish-brown rhizome that is about 5 cm long and 1.25 cm thick and has many roots. The plant grows to a height of 15 to 30 cm, has a strong smell and a bitter taste. It produces a fruit that looks similar to raspberries but is not edible. The plant is easily distinguishable from other members of the family Ranunculaceae during the flowering period as it has only two alternate palmately lobed leaves on the stem and single white flowers without petals. It blooms from around the end of April to the beginning of May. The individual flowers have numerous white, protruding stamens. The 3 sepals fall off when the flower opens. The basal leaf is usually alone and falls off quickly, leaving only the two leaves remaining. They are toothed, 5-lobed with notched veins and measure 2.5 to 10 cm when the flower opens, but can grow up to 30 cm long. The fruits are initially green and then ripen into a bright red cluster of achenes. These can be seen from mid to late summer.
🛑 People with an autoimmune disease should not use Goldenseal internally as it strengthens the immune system and can lead to a flare-up. When taking it, you should pay attention to your blood sugar and blood pressure, as the plant can lower blood sugar levels and increase blood pressure.
According to the American Cancer Society, “Goldenseal can cause toxic side effects and high doses can cause death.”
Side effects of goldenseal may include indigestion, nervousness, depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, stomach cramps and pain, mouth ulcers, nausea, seizures, vomiting, and central nervous system depression. High doses can cause breathing problems, paralysis, and even death. Long-term use can lead to vitamin B deficiency, hallucinations and delirium. In addition, goldenseal can cause brain damage in newborns when taken directly or by nursing or pregnant mothers and can affect blood pressure unpredictably because it contains several compounds that have opposing effects on blood pressure.
Goldenseal should be combined with other herbs to enhance its effects.
In the early 20th century it was used as a yellow dye, astringent and insect repellent.