What is goldenseal and what are the health benefits of goldenseal? This native plant, which grows wild across much of the shady deciduous forest lands of the eastern half of the United States, has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is an endangered species, largely due to overharvesting. Removing the plant from the wild is illegal in many states, but growing goldenseal plants in your garden isn’t difficult. Read on to learn more.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon, is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to North America.
Hydrastis canadensis is a herbaceous perennial growing from a horizontal, yellowish rhizome that is thick with knobby knots. The finely hairy, upright, unbranched, stems grow to 15–50 centimeters (6–19+1⁄2 inches) tall. Fertile plants have a single stem with two palmately lobed leaves. Flowering plants produce a single terminal flower with no petals and three sepals and 12 or more conspicuous white pistils; flowering occurs for a short time in spring. Fertilized flowers grow into red, raspberry-like fruits with one or two seeds.
Goldenseal became popular in the mid-19th century. By 1905, the herb was much less plentiful because of overharvesting and habitat destruction. Roots of goldenseal are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning a CITES permit to export is required. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that diggers and harvesters track sales and harvests and prove legality of all harvests.
Canada, as well as 17 of the 27 U.S. states where goldenseal grows natively, have declared it as threatened, vulnerable or uncommon. More than 60 million goldenseal plants are picked each year without being replaced. Although goldenseal’s geographical range is wide, it is found in small quantities in these habitats. The core of the herb’s range is in the Ohio River Valley, but its population there has decreased by almost half. The process of mountain top removal mining has recently put the wild goldenseal population at major risk from loss of habitat.
Many herbalists urge caution in choosing products containing goldenseal, as they may have been harvested in an unsustainable manner rather than having been organically cultivated.
There are several berberine-containing plants that can serve as useful alternatives, including Chinese coptis, yellowroot or Oregon grape root.
- Toxicity
According to the American Cancer Society, “Goldenseal can have toxic side effects, and high doses can cause death.”
Side effects of goldenseal may include “digestive complaints, nervousness, depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, stomach cramps and pain, mouth ulcers, nausea, seizures, vomiting, and central nervous system depression. High doses may cause breathing problems, paralysis, and even death. Long-term use may lead to vitamin B deficiency, hallucinations, and delirium.” In addition, goldenseal may cause brain damage to newborn babies if given directly or if taken by breastfeeding or pregnant mothers, and may affect blood pressure unpredictably because it contains several compounds that have opposite effects on blood pressure.
Taking goldenseal over a long period of time can reduce absorption of B vitamins, and it is cautioned to avoid goldenseal during pregnancy and lactation, with gastrointestinal inflammation and with pro-inflammatory disorders. A 2011 study found rats fed goldenseal constantly for two years had a greater tendency to develop tumors.
Goldenseal has been found to have inhibited cytochrome P450 CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 activity by approximately 40%, a statistically and clinically significant reduction. CYP2D6 is a known metabolizer of many commonly used pharmaceuticals, such as antidepressants (including all SSRIs except for fluvoxamine), neuroleptics, codeine, and Metformin. Combining goldenseal with such medications should be done with caution and under the supervision of a doctor as it can lead to serious, perhaps fatal, toxicity. Those with a genetic deficiency in these enzymes are at particular risk.
II. How to Grow and Care
Goldenseal requires a specific environment to thrive, akin to its native woodland habitat. It does best in rich, moist, well-draining soil, with a preference for partial to full shade. One special care point is the need to simulate the natural mulch of a forest floor, hence, regular organic matter enrichment is crucial. Another is the necessity for consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Due to its particular habitat requirements and susceptibility to over-harvesting, goldenseal is considered difficult to cultivate.
Sunlight
For goldenseal, partial sunlight conditions are optimal, as they simulate its natural woodland habitat. Full direct sunlight can be detrimental, leading to stress and leaf scorch. Goldenseal thrives under dappled light, which should be consistent but never overly intense. Prolonged exposure to full shade may reduce the vigor of goldenseal, potentially resulting in leggy growth with decreased vitality. Ideally, goldenseal should be planted outdoors where it can receive filtered light, such as beneath a canopy of deciduous trees, which would mimic its indigenous environment while safeguarding its delicate foliage from extreme light conditions.
Watering
Originating from the moist, wooded regions of North America, goldenseal has adapted to environments with consistent soil moisture. This perennial herb exhibits a preference for evenly moist conditions and is moderately drought-tolerant. In cultivation, it requires watering once every 1-2 weeks to maintain its hydration needs without over-saturating the soil. Typically grown outdoors due to its affinity for natural woodland settings, goldenseal thrives in rich, well-draining soil that mimics its native habitat’s moisture levels.
Soil
Goldenseal thrives in rich, well-drained soil. Add compost or other organic material if your soil doesn’t drain well, as goldenseal won’t tolerate wet feet.
Fertilizing
To maintain goldenseal’s vigor, use balanced nutrition fertilizers, with equal NPK ratios, during its active growth in spring and fall. Apply bi-monthly at manufacturer’s suggested rates; avoid over-fertilization, which harms the root system. Seasonal variation dictates less frequent application in winter dormancy. Compost can enrich soil organically. Water the plant after fertilizing to aid nutrient absorption and prevent root burn, ensuring a healthy, flourishing goldenseal.
Propagation
Goldenseal is a perennial herb known for its medicinal properties and distinct yellow rhizome. Propagation for this revered plant is most successful through rhizome division, ensuring each section contains at least one bud. Tender care should be taken to maintain appropriate soil moisture and to avoid deep planting, as this can impede growth. For those using cuttings, it’s important to select healthy non-flowering shoots and provide a stable environment with high humidity and indirect light to encourage root development.
Transplanting
The awakening of spring, when the earth revives from winter’s slumber, presents an opportune moment for relocating goldenseal. Favor a shady spot with rich, moist soil as a new home. A gentle affirmation: careful handling and even soil moisture ensure a seamless transition.
III. Uses and Benefits
At the time of the European colonization of the Americas, goldenseal was in extensive use among certain Native American tribes of North America, both as a medicine and as a coloring material. In 1798, Benjamin Smith Barton referred to the Cherokee use of goldenseal as a cancer treatment; he called attention to its properties as a bitter tonic, and as a local wash for ophthalmia. It became a favorite of the Eclectics from the time of Constantine Raffinesque in the 1830s. Tribes also used goldenseal for digestive issues, as an eyewash, as a diuretic and as a bitter.
According to the American Cancer Society, “Available scientific evidence does not support claims that goldenseal is effective in treating cancer or other diseases.” According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “The scientific evidence does not support the use of goldenseal for any health-related purpose.”
In the early 20th century, it was used as a yellow dye, astringent, and insect repellent.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Harvest green goldenseal leaves in fall. Harvest the roots in autumn after the plant goes dormant.