Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis, or goldenseal, also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Ranuncolaceae family native to the wooded areas of the United States and Canada. The remedy was already known to the Native Americans who used the dried root of goldenseal to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular diarrhea of infectious origin. Tradition is confirmed by science, in fact, the anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory effect of goldenseal can be explained thanks to the presence of some substances called barberine (Chunqiu Chen et al, The American Journal of Chinese medicine, 2014). The goldenseal therefore has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-hemorrhagic properties and helps to support the immune system. For this reason the plant can be used in case of diarrhea, especially if of infectious origin, gastroenteritis, infections of the urinary tract, but also as a preventive treatment in case of travel to exotic countries at risk for intestinal infections or to counteract hemorrhoids, rash, wounds, ulcers, itching, eczema, acne or cold sores. You can find the goldenseal in the form of mother tincture, in this case you can take 40 drops 3 times a day without food, in case of travel instead you can take the tincture starting one week before departure and finishing a few days after arrival (Natural Medicine from A to Z, Bruno Brigo). Alternatively, the goldenseal can be purchased in the form of herbal tea, add one teaspoon of plant per cup and leave to brew for ten minutes, drink or apply a gauze soaked in this lotion on the part to be treated. Do not use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if you suffer from hypertension, glaucoma, diabetes or heart problems, but generally consider that, in any case, even if the remedy is easily available online, the goldenseal has side effects and should be used only for short periods of time, do not use for treatments longer than two weeks as it may cause nausea, vomiting, ulceration of the mucosa due to its potential toxicity.