Common name Golden seal
Plant family Ranunculaceae
Parts used Root (Grieve, 1971) and rhizome (Bone, 2003).
Qualities Dry, cold with warm potential (Holmes, 2007).
Constituents
Berberine, hydrastine, canadine, starch, lignin, volatile oil (Grieve, 1971).
Actions
Anti-hemorrhagic, anti-catarrhal, mucous membrane trophorestorative, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, bitter tonic, anti-inflammatory, depurative, vulnerary, choleretic (Bone, 2003). Astringent (Hoffman, 2003).
Indications
With its bitter and astringent properties, H. canadensis can be useful in digestive problems (Hoffman, 2003). Grieve refers to its traditional use by aboriginal peoples of the Americas as a tonic, stomachic, and as a treatment for sore eyes and general ulceration, and recommends its use in cases of dyspepsia, loss of appetite and liver conditions (Grieve, 1971).
Recommended for treatment where there is active intestinal infection, as it is an excellent intestinal anti-microbial though caution should be exercised, it is not for long-term use as it is very strong (Yarnell, Abascal & Hooper, 2009).
Catarrhal states of the mucous membranes when unaccompanied by acute inflammation; acute infectious diarrhoea; gastritis, peptic ulcer; hepatic symptoms, skin disorders; disorders of the ear, nose, mouth, throat; uterine and pelvic hemorrhagic conditions, genitourinary tract discharges; tonic during convalescence (Bone, 2003).
The results of a 2010 in vivo rat study led researchers to suggest the anti-cancer properties of hydrastis make the drug suitable for use as a supportive complementary medicine in liver cancer (Karmakar, Biswas & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2015).
H. canadesis is a powerful mucous membrane tonic and Hechtman recommends it for restoring health to the mucous-producing cells of the female reproductive tract (Hechtman, 2011). Bone and Mills refer to its traditional use in cystitis treatment (Bone & Mills, 2013).
Physicians' Desk Reference recommends H. canadensis topically for herpes labialis (cold sores) and for wounds (Gruenwald, Brendler & Jaenicke, 1998).
Cautions/Contraindications
Medicines such as H. canadensis that contain berberine are to be avoided by pregnant women as they can displace bilirubin; they are also contraindicated for jaundiced newborns (Chan, 1993).
Dosage
Per day, 2.0-4.5 ml of 1:3 tincture, per week 15-30 ml of 1:3 tincture (Bone, 2003).
Combinations
Combine with Berberis aquifolium for cystitis treatment (Bone & Mills, 2013).
References
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs. Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone.
Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Chan, E. (1993). Displacement of Bilirubin from Albumin by Berberine. Neonatology, 63(4), 201-208.
Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal. New York: Dover Publications.
Gruenwald, J., Brendler, T., & Jaenicke, C. (1998). PDR for herbal medicines. Montvale, New Jersey: Medical Economics.
Hechtman, L. (2011). Clinical naturopathic medicine. Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Australia.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
Holmes, P. (2007). The energetics of Western herbs. Cotati, Calif.: Snow Lotus Press.
Karmakar, S., Biswas, S., & Khuda-Bukhsh, A. (2015). Anti-carcinogenic potentials of a plant extract (Hydrastis canadensis): I. Evidence from in vivo studies in mice (Mus musculus). Asian Pacific Journal Of Cancer Prevention, 11(2), 545-551.
Yarnell, E., Abascal, K., & Hooper, C. (2009). Clinical botanical medicine. Larchmont, NY: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.