Goldenseal 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb goldenseal—common 

names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. 

Goldenseal is a plant that grows wild in parts of the United States but has 

become endangered by overharvesting. With natural supplies dwindling, 

goldenseal is now grown commercially across the United States, especially in 

the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Common Names—goldenseal, yellow root 

Latin Name—Hydrastis canadensis 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Historically, Native Americans have used goldenseal for various health 

conditions such as skin diseases, ulcers, and gonorrhea. 

•	 Now, goldenseal is used for colds and other respiratory tract infections, 

infectious diarrhea, eye infections, and vaginitis (inflammation or infection 

of the vagina). It is occasionally used to treat cancer. 

•	 It is also applied to wounds and canker sores, and is used as a mouthwash 

for sore gums, mouth, and throat. 

How It Is Used 

•	 The underground stems or roots of goldenseal are dried and used to 

make teas, liquid extracts, and solid extracts that may be made into 

tablets and capsules. 

•	 Goldenseal is often combined with echinacea in preparations that are 

intended to be used for colds. 

What the Science Says 

•	 Few studies have been published on goldenseal’s safety and 

effectiveness, and there is little scientific evidence to support using it for 

any health problem. 

•	 Clinical studies on a compound found in goldenseal, berberine, suggest 

that the compound may be beneficial for certain infections—such as 

those that cause some types of diarrhea, as well as some eye infections. 

However, goldenseal preparations contain only a small amount of berberine, 

so it is difficult to extend the evidence about the effectiveness of berberine 

to goldenseal. 

•	 NCCAM is funding research on berberine, including a study to understand 

the mechanism by which it may act against tumors. 
 

 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 Goldenseal is considered safe for short-term use in adults at recommended dosages. Rare 

side effects may include nausea and vomiting. 

•	 There is little information about the safety of high dosages or the long-term use of goldenseal. 

•	 Although drug interactions have not been reported, goldenseal may cause changes in the way 

the body processes drugs, and could potentially increase the levels of many drugs. However, a 

study of goldenseal and indinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection, found no interaction. 

•	 Other herbs containing berberine, including Chinese goldthread (Coptis trifolia) and Oregon 

grape (Mahonia aquifolium), are sometimes substituted for goldenseal. These herbs may 

have different effects, side effects, and drug interactions than goldenseal. 

•	 Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using goldenseal. The berberine 

in the herb may cause the uterus to contract, increasing the risk of premature labor or 

miscarriage. Berberine may also be transferred through breast milk, causing lifethreatening liver problems in nursing infants. 

•	 Goldenseal should not be given to infants and young children. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 

New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:297-308. 

Goldenseal. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on July 6, 2007. 

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.), Berberine. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at 

http://www.naturalstandard.com on July 3, 2007. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

•	 What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

•	 Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

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

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute 

for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage 

you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The 

mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

D343 

Created December 2006 

Updated May 2008 

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

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