Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

Herbs & Roots. Native American and Western & European.

Also called Yellowroot, Orangeroot

Not for babies or pregnancy

A woodland plant with a bright yellow root that people use for colds, infections and upset stomach, though proof is very weak.

Did you know? The name goldenseal may come from the round scars on the root, which look like old wax seals.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Infections. Berberine kills some germs in lab dishes. Good human studies of the whole root do not exist.
Traditional proof
Digestion & gut health. Used for diarrhea and upset stomach in tradition. Little human research exists.
Traditional proof
Colds, flu & immunity. Often sold for colds and flu, but good human trials have not shown that it helps.
Not supported

Parts of the body

Immune system, Gut & intestines, Stomach

Traditional use

Cherokee and other Native peoples used the root on sores and eye problems. Later, Eclectic doctors used it for infections and digestion.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Bitter, Antimicrobial, Astringent. Energy: cooling.

How people take it

Usually taken as a capsule, tincture or tea made from dried root. No dose has been tested in good human studies, so no safe amount is known.

Tea, capsule, tincture and powder.

Where to get it

Grows wild in shaded forests of eastern North America. Wild plants have been over-collected and are now scarce in many areas, so choose cultivated root. Sold as dried root, powder, capsules, tinctures and in cold blends.

Be careful

Can cause diarrhea, upset stomach and headache. Berberine can raise bilirubin in newborns and cause jaundice, so NCCIH advises against use in pregnancy, breastfeeding and infancy. It may also slow how the liver clears some medicines.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12; diabetes medicines.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
A common US cold blend. Neither herb has strong proof for colds.
Works well together
Also contains berberine, and the two are often swapped or combined in folk herbalism.
Works well together
Both contain berberine and are used for digestion and infection in folk practice.
Works well together
Goldenseal root is another natural source of berberine.
Use caution
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Berberine may lower blood sugar, so it can add to diabetes medicines.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.

The honest take

Goldenseal is sold for colds, infections and even to hide drug use in urine tests. Good human research is almost nonexistent, and studies show it does not change drug test results. Its berberine has some human trials for blood sugar, but swallowed root delivers little of it, so the root is not a proven remedy.