Goldenseal is an herbaceous plant that rises from the ground each spring from a tight clump of yellow rhizomes. Goldenseal is sometimes planted in the shady wild garden but is also grown commercially for the yellow rootstocks, which yield hydrastine, an alkaloid. Its antibacterial activity in vitro has been attributed to its alkaloids, the most abundant of which is berberine. With its single red fruit, resembling a raspberry, h. Goldenseal is a slowgrowing small perennial herbaceous plant about 1 ft. Goldenseal hydrastis canadensis, also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon, is a perennial herb in the buttercup family ranunculaceae, native to southeastern canada and the eastern united states. Today, this plant is an endangered species, and it is illegal to pick or dig in the wild in many states. Plants synthesise hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including defence against insects, fungi, diseases, and herbivorous mammals. Goldenseal hydrastis canadensis is a member of the. Determination of hydrastine and berberine in goldenseal. Goldenseal plants are disappearing from woodlands because people are overharvesting the plants. Pdf goldenseal, commonly known as yellow puccoon has wide therapeutic activity. Introduction botanical information hydrastis canadensis l.
It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. Some others believe that goldenseal was extremely useful in curing digestive disorders like catarrhal, infection of the stomach, constipation, cirrhosis of the liver, uterine disorders, gallstones, and various other disorders in women like menorrhagia and metrorrhagia documented history also indicates that the goldenseal herb has been effective in treating and curing goitre in pregnant women. Goldenseal occurs throughout the eastern half of north america, occurring from vermont to minnesota and ranging south to nebraska, kansas, arkansas, georgia, and alabama. Goldenseal hydrastis canadensis illinois wildflowers. Goldenseal proves to be antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal. The root system is composed of a bright yellow, horizontal rhizome, 1. Comes with our goldenseal growing guide, also available here as a pdf.
Goldenseal is a perennial, woodland forb in the buttercup family ranunculaceae. The over collection of the root for medicinal use has led to steep reductions in native populations. Indian paint, indian plant, indian tumeric, indian turmeric. Goldenseal is a herbaceous perennial which emerges in early spring midmarch to early may from buds that overwinter on the perennial rootstock. Goldenseal is available under the following different brand and other names. Health benefits of goldenseal growing goldenseal plants. Goldenseal is on the appendix 2 list of the cites convention on international trade in endangered species. Similar to ginseng, goldenseal seed requires stratification before it will germinate.
Goldenseal root helps promotes the functioning capacity of the heart, the lymphatic and respiratory system, the. The name is derived from the underground rhizome, which is yellow with a golden sap. A single white flower appears in the center of each set of leaves, turning into one red berry with about 10 seeds. It is native to the shady, rich soil of the forests of north america. Pdf therapeutic aspects of goldenseal researchgate. A native to mesic woods, hydrastis canadensis goldenseal prefers shade and moderately moist, rich soil. Todays traditional uses of goldenseal have broadened to include the natural treatment and prevention of colds, respiratory tract infections, allergies, eye infections, digestive. It is also on the united plant savers primary list. It is found growing naturally in rich, densely shaded, deciduous forests and prefers a good rich moist loamy leafy soil in shade or partial shade. Todays traditional uses of goldenseal have broadened to include the natural treatment and prevention of colds, respiratory tract infections, allergies, eye infections, digestive issues. Another medicinal species xanthorhiza simplicissima is also known by the common name yellowroot.
Goldenseal root planting instructions red fern farm. Hydrastis canadensis goldenseal prairie moon nursery. Cover the planting area with a thick layer of mulch in autumn, then remove all but 1 or 2 inches in early spring. A single forked stem arises from the terminus of each rhizome and produces a pair of celerygreen leaves in early spring.
Show students a plant, either actual or make a transparency from the enclosed diagram. If this is the case, limit mulch to 3 inches or less. Dcnr wild plant program andor visit the pa dcnr vulnerable plant. Goldenseal is propagated by seed, rhizome divisions, or rootlet cuttings. The plant emerges in early spring from buds that overwinter on the perennial rootstock, growing each year to a height of 8 to 14 inches. Goldenseal is an herbaceous perennial and can be found growing naturally in rich, densely shaded. Gelbwurzel, golden seal, goldenroot, goldenseal, goldsiegel. Click on a place name to get a complete protected plant list for that location. The fact that goldenseal can be used as a lethal antibiotic was illustrated in a study from the university of north carolina, where researchers tested goldenseal against several strains of mrsa methicillinresistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Spencer, ms, office of the roc, dntp, niehs 1 background and rationale 1. Goldenseal is a singlestalked woodland plant that has thick, knotted, intensely yellow roots, and deeplylobed leaves. Goldenseal or hydrastis canadensis is a perennial herb belonging to the family, ranunculaceae. Goldenseal prefers a light loam soil that has high humus content and a ph of 5. It also prefers a sandy, acid to neutral humusrich soil. Goldenseal root is not only used to kill pathogenic infections, but it is a multipurpose type of herb that provides immune system support and cleanses vital organs.
A typical plant produces a single basal leaf on a long hairy petiole and a flowering stalk with a pair of cauline leaves near its apex. In certain home garden situations, you can also plant goldenseal close to the shady north side of the house. Objectives until the late 1990s, there was very little detailed information available on cultivation methods of goldenseal. It is a low, sprawling plant, which is revered for the health benefits it provides. Researchers and herbalists disagree, however, about whether goldenseal can impair the beneficial bacteria of the digestive tract the way that pharmaceutical antibiotics can. Work the beds 6 inches deep, raising the center of the beds to prevent water from collecting around the plants. The stem is terminated by a single, white flower with yellow stamens followed by a tight cluster of red fruit. Goldenseal is one of the five topselling herbal products in the united states. In fact, many wild plant organizations like the national center for the preservation of medicinal herbs in rutland, ohio, encourage the cultivation of plants like goldenseal under natural conditions in their natural environment. The plant has a single greenish white flower, the sepals of which fall as they open, followed by a cluster of small red berries.
Goldenseal is used for many conditions, but so far, there isnt enough scientific evidence to determine. Goldenseal is a low, sprawling plant with palmshaped leaves. For the latest information on man agement of goldenseal in pennsylvania, contact the pa. Davis 1996a summarized information from available literature foster, 1991. You can break up larger rhizome pieces of root into smaller pieces as long as the pieces have at least some hairroots and each piece will grow into a new plant. Leaves are doubly serrated, palmshaped, and have 5 to 7 lobes. Goldenseal is a small perennial herb with a horizontal, irregularly knotted, bright yellow rootstock. Goldenseal is a plant that has been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal and urinary disorders and skin, mouth, and eye infections. The dried underground stems rhizomes and roots are used to make a number of beneficial products, including liquid extracts. In a mouse model, berberine was capable of stimulating production of interleukin12 il12, indicating that it may be useful in treating allergic disease. Goldenseal roots are valued for use in herbal medicines. Mature plants at least three years old are 6 to 14 inches tall and have two. Extracts of goldenseal root are dried to make teas or liquid extracts or combined with echinacea in tablets. The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs.
In the spring, the plant produces a flowering stem with two, large hairy leaves, palmately cut into 5 to 7 lobes, and with prominent veins. Information on goldenseal production obtained from interviews with 12. The truth is, goldenseal is an important, highly effective medicinal plant, but it has a very specific use for boggy and inflamed mucus membranes. Grades grades 56 root stem petiole leaf flower fruit seed nutrients carbon dioxide fibrous roots tap root photosynthesis 2. Horticulture information leaflet 1 cornell cooperative extension. It is not certain whether goldenseal is effective in. Goldenseal production from roots johnnys selected seeds. The mature plant has two or more erect stems, usually ending in a fork with two leaves. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. Goldenseal hydrastis canadensis buttercup family ranunculaceae description. Fact sheets and plant guides are available in either adobe acrobat portable document format pdf.
Goldenseal is considered quite safe but due to its alkaloid content, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Goldenseal root planting instructions goldenseal roots and crowns should be planted immediately or kept refrigerated until planted. Commercial goldenseal cultivation nc state extension. However, these uses have not been proven with research. Wild stands of these plants are disappearing from the woods of n. While it can be useful for certain types of infections, it does not work systemically like antibiotic pharmaceuticals. Goldenseal plant care requires careful weed control until the plant is well established. The goal of these studies was to compare the composition, antibacterial activity, and efflux pump inhibitory activity of ethanolic extracts prepared from roots and aerial portions of h. Goldenseal hydrastis canadensis is a small plant native to north america which produces raspberry like fruit.
Goldenseal, yellowroot, yellow puccoon, turmeric root, eye balm, ground raspberry. It is in flower from may to june, and the seeds ripen from july to august. Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Goldenseal is an herbaceous perennial woodland plant that is highly. Nature provides a means to fight off bacterial, viral and fungal infections without producing resistance. Goldenseal hydrastis canadensis benefits and side effects. Goldenseal is an herbaceous perennial and can be found growing naturally in rich, densely shaded, deciduous forests. Although goldenseal tends to be drought tolerant, slugscan be a problem. The plant was also listed in the national formulary, a pharmacists reference book, until 1955. Every part of the plant has its medicinal properties. Therefore, patients using goldenseal or berberine on the skin or. Plant database lady bird johnson wildflower center. Goldenseal goldenseal hydrastis canadensis is a perennial herb belonging to the buttercup family.
Fact sheets provide brief descriptions of a plant, its uses, and cultural recommendations. A low, sprawling plant native to north america, goldenseal is one of the five topselling herbs in the united states. For additional information, contact your local county extension agent. Goldenseal has been used in alternative medicine as an aid in treating urinary tract infections, hemorrhoids, upset stomach, colitis, hay fever, stuffy nose, irregular menstrual periods, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. Roc concept goldenseal root powder november 2014 1 report on carcinogens roc concept. Its roots and rhizomes, which internally are bright yellow in color, have been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of infection, inflammation, and as an immune system booster. Numerous phytochemicals with potential or established biological activity have been identified. Goldenseal herb rare, but can be cultivated for profit and. Goldenseal plants emerge in early spring from buds on perennial rootstocks. Native americans historically used goldenseal for various health concerns including skin diseases, ulcer symptoms and gonorrhea. Divide the goldenseal rootstock into 12 inch or larger pieces, and plant them 8 inches apart.