Plant Profile

Goldenseal

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Hydrastis canadensis

Family: Ranunculaceae · Parts used: Rhizome and root · Also known as: Orange root, Yellow root, Ground raspberry

The complete database record: 1 documented constituent, 4 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, with 21 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Low, woodland perennial herb rising from a knotted, bright yellow rhizome with wiry yellow roots. Each stem bears two ragged, palmately lobed, maple-like leaves and a single small, inconspicuous greenish-white flower, followed by a raspberry-like cluster of red berries.^[1]

Height: 15-30 cm

Habit: Low, woodland perennial herb

Leaves: Two per stem, ragged, palmately lobed, maple-like

Flowers: Single, small, inconspicuous, greenish-white, petal-less

Stem: Hairy, upright, bearing two leaves

Root: Knotted, bright yellow rhizome with wiry yellow roots (the medicinal part)

Fruit: Raspberry-like cluster of red berries

Flowering Period: April-May

Habitat & Distribution

Grows in rich, shaded deciduous woodland with humus-rich soil; native to eastern North America, now scarce in the wild due to overharvesting and largely supplied by cultivation.^[1]

Harvesting

The rhizome and root are dug in autumn from plants at least three to four years old, when berberine content is highest, then cleaned and dried; because wild populations are depleted, cultivated or sustainably sourced material is strongly preferred, and careful identification against the toxic mayapple and bloodroot, which share its woodland habitat, is essential before any wild-harvesting.^[1]

Parts: Rhizome and root

Season: Autumn, from mature (3-4+ year) plants

Key Constituents

Isoquinoline alkaloids - berberine (principal), hydrastine and canadine^{[1, 4, 12]}

Berberine is the main antimicrobial, hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic constituent. Notably, whole-leaf extracts are more potent against MRSA than isolated berberine (owing to efflux-pump-inhibitory flavonoids) and show quorum-quenching, anti-virulence activity.

FlavonoidsAlkaloidsBerberine

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^[1]

Anti-inflammatory and astringent for inflamed mucous membranes (sore-throat gargle, mouth)

Antimicrobial^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12]}

Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin, mucosal and gastrointestinal infections and sore throat

Astringent^[1]

Anti-inflammatory and astringent for inflamed mucous membranes (sore-throat gargle, mouth)

Digestive aid^{[1, 5]}

Digestive / gastrointestinal support (traditional for dyspepsia and ulcers)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[1]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^[1]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 5

Label: Bloating

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Diarrhoea^[1]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from astringent action

Evidence: 5

Label: Diarrhoea

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Indigestion^[1]Moderate · 5/10

Digestive / gastrointestinal support (traditional for dyspepsia and ulcers)

Evidence: 5

Label: Indigestion

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Infection (general)^{[1, 4, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin, mucosal and gastrointestinal infections and sore throat; Topical for skin infections and irritation - whole-leaf extract is active in vitro against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Evidence: 5

Label: Infection (general)

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Inflammation (general)^[1]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Inflammation (general)

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Skin irritation^[1]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Skin irritation

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Sore throat^{[1, 4, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

Anti-inflammatory and astringent for inflamed mucous membranes (sore-throat gargle, mouth); Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin, mucosal and gastrointestinal infections and sore throat

Evidence: 5

Label: Sore throat

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[1, 4, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 5

Label: Wounds

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Traditional Use & History

Goldenseal root has a Native American and, after adoption by Eclectic physicians, wider North American tradition as a bitter tonic and antimicrobial remedy for mucous-membrane infections, sore throat, digestive upset and topical skin infections, directly reflecting its high berberine content.^[1]

Preparations

Decoction^[1]

Dried rhizome and root simmered in water as a traditional bitter antimicrobial tea, or used as a gargle for sore throat.

Tincture^[14]

Tincture 1:10 in 60% ethanol of the dried rhizome and root, 2-4 ml three times daily per the WHO monograph Rhizoma Hydrastis. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Standardised extract^[4]

Extract standardised to berberine/hydrastine content, taken as capsules; whole-leaf extracts have shown stronger antimicrobial activity than isolated berberine in some studies.

Dosage

Decoction/tincture^[14]

The WHO monograph on Rhizoma Hydrastis gives a daily dose of 0.5-1.0 g of the dried rhizome and root three times, or taken as a decoction; a 1:1 liquid extract in 60% ethanol at 0.3-1.0 mL three times; or a 1:10 tincture in 60% ethanol at 2-4 mL three times. For short-term use only, given goldenseal's potent CYP-enzyme inhibition and its contraindication in pregnancy. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[1]Caution

Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding: berberine crosses the placenta and into milk and can cause or worsen newborn jaundice (risk of kernicterus); do not give to infants.

Safety note^{[1, 15]}Caution

Berberine strongly inhibits drug-metabolising enzymes (especially CYP3A4 and CYP2D6), so it can raise the blood levels of many medicines - a significant herb-drug-interaction risk. In a screen of commercial herbal products, goldenseal was among the most potent CYP2D6 inhibitors and also inhibited CYP3A4. High doses have shown possible liver, nerve and photo-toxicity.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Cyp3a4 Substrates^{[16, 17]}Caution

Mechanism: Goldenseal's berberine and hydrastine strongly inhibit CYP3A4 (and also CYP2D6), enzymes that clear many medicines. In a controlled study in healthy volunteers, 28 days of goldenseal cut CYP3A4/5 and CYP2D6 activity by roughly 40%, so it can raise the blood levels and side effects of drugs handled by these pathways - for example some statins, calcium-channel blockers and sedatives (CYP3A4), and certain antidepressants, beta-blockers and opioids (CYP2D6). Separate dosing and monitor, or avoid combining with narrow-margin medicines.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Antidiabetics^[18]Caution

Mechanism: Goldenseal is rich in berberine, its main alkaloid, which lowers blood glucose - meta-analyses of randomised trials show berberine significantly reduces fasting glucose and HbA1c. Taken with diabetes medicines, goldenseal may therefore add to blood-sugar lowering, so monitor blood glucose.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Dangerous Lookalikes

Podophyllum Peltatum^{[19, 20]}Dangerous

Confused Part: Woodland rhizome dug as goldenseal; mayapple shares the same rich woods and has similar lobed, maple-like leaves.

Confusion Context: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is dug from rich woodland for its yellow rhizome. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) grows in the same rich-woods habitat and, once its leaves expand, its lobed maple-like leaves resemble goldenseal, so novice foragers confuse them. Mayapple contains podophyllotoxin (a potent cell poison) in all parts except the ripe fruit; ingestion causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and can cause serious systemic toxicity. Because the plants share habitat and leaf shape, this is a genuine hazard when digging goldenseal.

Distinguishing Features: Whole plant: goldenseal has a hairy upright stem bearing usually two ragged, maple-like lobed leaves and a single small flower, with a knotted BRIGHT-YELLOW rhizome. Mayapple has one or two large, smooth, umbrella-like lobed leaves on a hairless stalk and a white flower nodding beneath, with a white-ish creeping rhizome., Rhizome colour (decisive): goldenseal's rhizome and root are vivid yellow inside (berberine). Mayapple's rhizome is not bright yellow., Leaf texture: goldenseal leaves are hairy and puckered; mayapple leaves are large, smooth and shield-like (the stalk joins near the centre).

Key Test: Dig only after matching the whole plant, and check the rhizome. A hairy stem with ragged maple-like leaves over a BRIGHT-YELLOW knotted rhizome = goldenseal. Large smooth umbrella-like leaves over a pale rhizome (no yellow) = mayapple - toxic, do not use. If the root is not bright yellow inside, do not use it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Sanguinaria Canadensis^{[19, 21]}Dangerous

Confused Part: Woodland rhizome dug as goldenseal; bloodroot grows in the same rich woods and its rhizome is gathered in mistake for goldenseal.

Confusion Context: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) shares the same rich-woods spring habitat as goldenseal and is listed among goldenseal's harvesting look-alikes. Bloodroot is a high-severity poison: its rhizome contains isoquinoline alkaloids (sanguinarine) and, when broken, oozes a bright red-orange sap; ingestion causes vomiting, faintness, dizziness, dilated pupils and, in serious cases, heart failure, and the sap is destructive to tissue. Because both are dug for their rhizomes from the same woodland, this is a genuine hazard.

Distinguishing Features: Sap colour (decisive): a broken bloodroot rhizome bleeds a bright RED-ORANGE sap. Goldenseal's rhizome is BRIGHT YELLOW inside, not red., Leaf: bloodroot has a single, rounded, deeply scalloped/lobed grey-green leaf that wraps the flower stalk, and a white flower; goldenseal has a hairy stem with two ragged maple-like leaves., Whole plant: confirm goldenseal by its paired hairy maple-like leaves and yellow root before digging.

Key Test: Break the rhizome and look at the sap and leaves. Bright YELLOW root with paired hairy maple-like leaves = goldenseal. A single scalloped leaf and a rhizome bleeding RED-ORANGE sap = bloodroot - a high-severity poison, do not use. If the sap is red, it is not goldenseal.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[13]

Part: rhizome

Signals: Dig the rhizome and root in autumn, after the top growth has died down.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The root is the active part of the plant, it is harvested in the autumn after the plant has died down and is dried for later use.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3273); the rhizome and root are dug in autumn after the plant dies down (one canonical rhizome entry covers the co-harvested root). Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: goldenseal root can be confused with mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) - confirm identity; see Dangerous Lookalikes.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Mandal, S.K., Maji, A.K., Mishra, S.K., Ishfaq, P.M., Devkota, H.P., Silva, A.S. and Das, N (2020) 'Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) and its active constituents: A critical review of their efficacy and toxicological issues', Pharmacological Research. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105085 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105085
Corn, J., Tibbitts, D., Ito, H., Schafer, M. and Vasilevsky, N (2021) 'Effects of Hydrastis Canadensis, Commiphora Habessinica, Phytolacca Americana, and Echinacea Purpurea on Bacterial Growth', Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 27(4), pp. 24-27. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Effects%20of%20Hydrastis%20Canadensis%2C%20Commiphora%20Habessinica%2C%20Phytolacca%20Americana%2C%20and%20Echinacea%20Purpurea%20on%20Bacterial%20Growth
Ettefagh, K.A., Burns, J.T., Junio, H.A., Kaatz, G.W. and Cech, N.B (2010) 'Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) extracts synergistically enhance the antibacterial activity of berberine via efflux pump inhibition', Planta Medica, 77(8), pp. 835-840. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1250606 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1250606
Cech, N.B., Junio, H.A., Ackermann, L.W., Kavanaugh, J.S. and Horswill, A.R (2012) 'Quorum quenching and antimicrobial activity of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)', Planta Medica, 78(14), pp. 1556--1561. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1315042 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1315042
Mahady, G.B., Pendland, S.L., Stoia, A. and Chadwick, L.R (2003) 'In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to isoquinoline alkaloids from Sanguinaria canadensis and Hydrastis canadensis', Phytotherapy Research, 17(3), pp. 217-221. doi:10.1002/ptr.1108 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1108
Junio, H.A., Sy-Cordero, A.A., Ettefagh, K.A., Burns, J.T., Micko, K.T., Graf, T.N., Richter, S.J., Cannon, R.E., Oberlies, N.H. and Cech, N.B (2011) 'Synergy-directed fractionation of botanical medicines: a case study with goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)', Journal of Natural Products, 74(7), pp. 1621-1629. doi:10.1021/np200336g Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/np200336g
Britton, E.R., Kellogg, J.J., Kvalheim, O.M. and Cech, N.B (2017) 'Biochemometrics to Identify Synergists and Additives from Botanical Medicines: A Case Study with Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)', Journal of Natural Products, 81(3), pp. 484-493. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00654 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00654
Leyte-Lugo, M., Britton, E.R., Foil, D.H., Brown, A.R., Todd, D.A., Rivera-Chavez, J., Oberlies, N.H. and Cech, N.B (2017) 'Secondary Metabolites from the Leaves of the Medicinal Plant Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)', Phytochemistry Letters, 20, pp. 54-60. doi:10.1016/j.phytol.2017.03.012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2017.03.012
Gurley, B.J., Swain, A., Hubbard, M.A., Hartsfield, F., Thaden, J., Williams, D.K., Gentry, W.B. and Tong, Y (2007) 'Supplementation with goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), but not kava kava (Piper methysticum), inhibits human CYP3A activity in vivo', Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 83(1), pp. 61-69. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100222 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.clpt.6100222
Wallace, E.D., Oberlies, N.H., Cech, N.B. and Kellogg, J.J (2018) 'Detection of adulteration in Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) dietary supplements via untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 120, pp. 439-447. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.07.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.07.033
Douglas, J.A., Follett, J.M., Parmenter, G.A., Sansom, C.E., Perry, N.B. and Littler, R.A (2010) 'Seasonal variation of biomass and bioactive alkaloid content of goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis', Fitoterapia, 81(7), pp. 925-928. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2010.06.006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2010.06.006
Singh, S., Pathak, N., Fatima, E. and Negi, A.S (2021) 'Plant isoquinoline alkaloids: Advances in the chemistry and biology of berberine', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113839 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113839
Plants For A Future 'Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hydrastis+canadensis Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hydrastis+canadensis
World Health Organization (2007) 'Rhizoma Hydrastis'. Available at: https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 Traditional / reference
https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37
Sevior, D.K., Hokkanen, J., Tolonen, A., Abass, K., Tursas, L., Pelkonen, O. and Ahokas, J.T (2010) 'Rapid screening of commercially available herbal products for the inhibition of major human hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes using the N-in-one cocktail', Xenobiotica, 40(4), pp. 245--254. doi:10.3109/00498251003592683 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3109/00498251003592683
Gurley, B.J., Gardner, S.F., Hubbard, M.A., Williams, D.K., Gentry, W.B., Khan, I.A. and Shah, A (2005) 'In vivo effects of goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 phenotypes', Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 77(5), pp. 415-426. doi:10.1016/j.clpt.2005.01.009 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clpt.2005.01.009
McDonald, M.G., Tian, D.D., Thummel, K.E., Paine, M.F. and Rettie, A.E (2020) 'Modulation of major human liver microsomal cytochromes P450 by component alkaloids of goldenseal: time-dependent inhibition and allosteric effects', Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 48(10), pp. 1018-1027. doi:10.1124/dmd.120.091041 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1124/dmd.120.091041
Guo, J., Chen, H., Zhang, X., Lou, W., Zhang, P., Qiu, Y., Zhang, C., Wang, Y. and Liu, W.J (2021) 'The effect of berberine on metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, pp. 2074610. doi:10.1155/2021/2074610 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2074610
Forest Farming (Cooperative Extension) 'Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.)'. Available at: https://forest-farming.extension.org/goldenseal-hydrastis-canadensis-l/ Traditional / reference
https://forest-farming.extension.org/goldenseal-hydrastis-canadensis-l/
Frasca, T. and Brett, A.S. and Yoo, S.D (1997) 'Mandrake toxicity. A case of mistaken identity', Archives of Internal Medicine, 157(17), pp. 2007-9. doi:10.1001/archinte.157.17.2007 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.157.17.2007
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox 'Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sanguinaria-canadensis/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sanguinaria-canadensis/

Selected studies & references

ReviewThe effect of berberine on metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials source↗ (2021)

RctGoldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) and its active constituents: A critical review of their efficacy and toxicological issues source↗ (2020)

RctSupplementation with goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), but not kava kava (Piper methysticum), inhibits human CYP3A activity in vivo source↗ (2007)

RctIn vivo effects of goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 phenotypes source↗ (2005)

PreclinicalEffects of Hydrastis Canadensis, Commiphora Habessinica, Phytolacca Americana, and Echinacea Purpurea on Bacterial Growth source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalPlant isoquinoline alkaloids: Advances in the chemistry and biology of berberine source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalModulation of major human liver microsomal cytochromes P450 by component alkaloids of goldenseal: time-dependent inhibition and allosteric effects source↗ (2020)

PreclinicalDetection of adulteration in Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) dietary supplements via untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics source↗ (2018)

All 16 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
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