Common Names: goldenseal, yellow root, goldenroot, yellow pucoon

Scientific Name: Hydrastis canadensis

Background

• Goldenseal is a herbaceous plant found in the northeastern parts of the United States and southeastern regions of Canada. It is known for its characteristic yellow underground stem, called a rhizome. Due to overharvesting in the wild, natural supplies have diminished, making it a rare and pricey crop even when farmed.

• Indigenous peoples have traditionally used goldenseal to address issues such as digestive discomfort, skin wounds, eye irritation, and some serious illnesses like cancer.

• Today, it is commonly available as a supplement and promoted for relieving symptoms related to colds, allergies, digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation, and other ailments.

How Much Do We Know?

• Scientific understanding of goldenseal’s effectiveness is currently limited. There is insufficient research to firmly establish its role in treating any health condition.

What Have We Learned?

• So far, comprehensive human studies looking into goldenseal’s impact on health are lacking.

• Berberine, one of the primary compounds in goldenseal, has been examined for its influence on factors such as blood sugar and cholesterol. However, very little berberine is absorbed when goldenseal is taken by mouth, so studies on berberine may not reflect the actual effects of the whole herb.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• Short-term use of goldenseal, in amounts around 3 grams daily, has not resulted in major side effects in small studies. The long-term safety of this herb remains unknown.

• Some products sold as goldenseal have been found to include other ingredients not listed on the label, either in combination with or in place of goldenseal.

• Goldenseal may influence how the body handles certain medications. One particular study revealed that combining goldenseal extract with metformin—a typical diabetes drug—decreased its levels by roughly 25%, potentially reducing its effectiveness for managing blood sugar.

• Pregnant or nursing women should avoid using goldenseal, and it should not be administered to babies. Its compound berberine could pose a risk to infants.

Keep in Mind

• Managing your health involves being informed. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about any herbal treatments or natural products you are considering. They can help you make choices that are best for your overall care.

• Herbal products in the U.S. are regulated based on how they are used and their form (oral or topical). Most herbal supplements taken by mouth are sold as dietary supplements, which are not reviewed and approved by the FDA like prescription medications are.

• The FDA can intervene if concerns arise about the safety of a dietary supplement. Until then, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe and labeled correctly before they reach consumers.

For More Information

• Information on how to use dietary supplements responsibly

• Understanding how supplements and medications might interact

• Resources for interpreting scientific studies in health and medicine

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse offers resources about complementary and integrative health, including publications and access to federal scientific databases. It does not provide personalized medical advice or referrals.

Toll-free within the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TRS (for hearing-impaired users): 7-1-1

PubMed®

PubMed® is a service provided by the National Library of Medicine. It offers citation information and brief summaries of scientific journal articles. NCCIH also provides guidance on finding reliable health information through PubMed.

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The ODS supports research and education on dietary supplements. Its offerings include fact sheets on many supplement ingredients and publications aimed at helping the public understand their benefits and risks.

Key References

• Asher GN, Corbett AH, Hawke RL. Common herbal dietary supplement-drug interactions. American Family Physician. 2017;96(2):101-107.

• Gafner S, Blumenthal M, Foster S, et al. Botanical ingredient forensics: detection of attempts to deceive analytical methods for herbal identification. Journal of Natural Products. 2023;86(2):460-472.

• Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. Effects of goldenseal and other herbs on human drug metabolism. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2005;77(5):415-426.

• Gurley BJ, Swain A, Barone GW, et al. Impact of goldenseal on digoxin processing in humans. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 2007;35(2):240-245.

• Gurley BJ, Swain A, Hubbard MA, et al. Goldenseal influences human CYP3A enzyme activity. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2008;83(1):61-69.

• Mandal SK, Maji AK, Mishra SK, et al. A thorough review of the effectiveness and safety profile of goldenseal and its key constituents. Pharmacological Research. 2020;160:105085.

• Nguyen JT, Tian D-D, Tanna RS, et al. Investigating how goldenseal affects drug interactions using lab methods and clinical models. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2023;387(3):252-264.

• Nguyen JT, Tian D-D, Tanna RS, et al. Examining how natural products may affect drug movement across cell membranes. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2021;109(5):1342-1352.

• Wallace ED, Oberlies NH, Cech NB, et al. Identifying adulteration in goldenseal supplements through mass spectrometry. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2018;120:439-447.

• Zamani M, Zarei M, Nikbaf-Shandiz M, et al. Review and analysis of berberine’s role in reducing cardiovascular risks. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022;9:1013055.

This material is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. It may be reproduced freely.

This summary has been provided for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. You are encouraged to discuss any health treatments with your healthcare provider. References to specific products or treatments do not imply endorsement.