Plant Comparison
Licorice root vs Goldenseal
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Licorice root and Goldenseal: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, indigestion, infection (general), …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Licorice root | Goldenseal | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The principal sweet-tasting compound, about 50 times sweeter than sucrose; responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antiviral and gastroprotective activity and also for the pseudoaldosteronism risk on prolonged high-dose use.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial polyphenols, including the skin-lightening compound glabridin.
Minor supporting constituents of the root.
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.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory and astringent for inflamed mucous membranes (sore-throat gargle, mouth)
Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin, mucosal and gastrointestinal infections and sore throat
Anti-inflammatory and astringent for inflamed mucous membranes (sore-throat gargle, mouth)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Digestive / gastrointestinal support (traditional for dyspepsia and ulcers)
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)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Anti-inflammatory and astringent for inflamed mucous membranes (sore-throat gargle, mouth); Antimicrobial (berberine) - supports skin, mucosal and gastrointestinal infections and sore throat
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Avoid prolonged use of whole licorice root in large doses. May cause pseudoaldosteronism (hypertension, oedema, hypokalaemia). Contraindicated in hypertension, renal failure, liver disease, hypokalaemia, and pregnancy. DGL form is safer for prolonged gastric use. Interactions with antihypertensives, diuretics, and corticosteroids.
Duke (2002) rates licorice as ++ and documents extensive activities. Glycyrrhizin (the key compound) has anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antiviral, and adrenal-stimulant properties. Duke highlights an important safety concern: chronic use of licorice can cause pseudoaldosteronism — sodium retention, potassium loss, edema, and hypertension — due to glycyrrhizin's inhibition of cortisol metabolism. This effect is typically seen with >50 g licorice/day for more than 6 weeks. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) avoids this side effect. Dose: 5–15 g dried root daily. Contraindicated in hypertension, kidney disease, low potassium, liver cirrhosis, and in combination with diuretics or corticosteroids (Duke, 2002).
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.
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.
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Botanical Description
Herbaceous perennial legume with pinnately compound leaves of small, oval, slightly sticky leaflets. Pale blue-violet to lilac pea-like flowers are borne in loose spikes, followed by small, flattened, oblong pods. The sweet-tasting rhizome and root system, brownish-grey outside and bright yellow inside, is the medicinal part, spreading extensively underground via stolons.[1]
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]
Habitat
Grows in dry, sunny, deep-soiled sites, riverbanks and open scrub; native to the Mediterranean region and Western to Central Asia, and cultivated widely for its root.[1]
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 root and rhizome are dug in autumn from plants at least three to four years old, when glycyrrhizin content is highest, then cleaned and dried; sold whole, cut, or as processed extract.[1]
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]
Traditional Uses
Licorice root is one of the oldest and most widely used herbs in the world, with a documented history across Chinese, Ayurvedic, Greek and European traditional medicine as a soothing demulcent and expectorant for coughs and sore throat, a gastroprotective remedy for stomach discomfort and ulcers, and a harmonising, sweetening addition to herbal formulas.[1]
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
Dried rhizome and root simmered in water as a traditional bitter antimicrobial tea, or used as a gargle for sore throat.
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.
Extract standardised to berberine/hydrastine content, taken as capsules; whole-leaf extracts have shown stronger antimicrobial activity than isolated berberine in some studies.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives, for adults and elderly, 1.5-2 g of the comminuted root in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion or decoction 2 to 4 times daily, taken one cup after meals; a soft extract (DER 1:0.4-0.5) at 32 mg 2-3 times daily, not exceeding 160 mg daily, is also listed. The monograph directs that it is NOT to be used for more than 4 weeks, and is not recommended under 18 years - the duration limit matters because prolonged licorice use causes pseudoaldosteronism (sodium and water retention, potassium loss, raised blood pressure). Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is preferred where prolonged use is intended. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
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.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Pastorino, G., Cornara, L., Soares, S., Rodrigues, F. and Oliveira, M.B.P.P (2018) 'Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A phytochemical and pharmacological review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(12), pp. 2323-2339. doi:10.1002/ptr.6178 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6178 - Nazari, S., Rameshrad, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2017) 'Toxicological Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Review', Phytotherapy Research, 31(11), pp. 1635-1650. doi:10.1002/ptr.5893 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5893 - El-Saber Batiha, G., Magdy Beshbishy, A., El-Mleeh, A., Abdel-Daim, M.M. and Prasad Devkota, H (2020) 'Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae)', Biomolecules, 10(3), pp. 352. doi:10.3390/biom10030352 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10030352 - Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, S.S., Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, M.F., Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, M.S. and Amir, M (2021) 'Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice): a comprehensive review on its phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical evidence and toxicology', Plants, 10(12), pp. 2751. doi:10.3390/plants10122751 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122751 - Markina, Y.V., Kirichenko, T.V., Markin, A.M., Yudina, I.Y., Starodubova, A.V., Sobenin, I.A. and Orekhov, A.N (2022) 'Atheroprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L', Molecules, 27(15), pp. 4697. doi:10.3390/molecules27154697 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154697 - Jafari, F., Jafari, M., Moghadam, A.T., Emami, S.A., Jamialahmadi, T., Mohammadpour, A.H. and Sahebkar, A (2021) 'A review of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) effects on metabolic syndrome', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1328, pp. 385-400. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_25 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_25 - Schmid, C., Dawid, C., Peters, V. and Hofmann, T (2018) 'Saponins from European licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra)', Journal of Natural Products, 81(8), pp. 1734-1744. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00022 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00022 - Kalani, K., Chaturvedi, V., Alam, S., Khan, F. and Srivastava, S.K (2015) 'Anti-tubercular agents from Glycyrrhiza glabra', Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 15(11), pp. 1043-1049. doi:10.2174/1568026615666150317223323 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026615666150317223323 - Frattaruolo, L., Carullo, G., Brindisi, M., Mazzotta, S., Bellissimo, L., Rago, V., Curcio, R., Dolce, V., Aiello, F. and Cappello, A.R (2019) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of flavanones from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) leaf phytocomplexes: identification of licoflavanone as a modulator of NF-kB/MAPK pathway', Antioxidants, 8(6), pp. 186. doi:10.3390/antiox8060186 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8060186 - Eltahir, A.O.E., Omoruyi, S.I., Augustine, T.N., Luckay, R.C. and Hussein, A.A (2024) 'Neuroprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra total extract and isolated compounds', Pharmaceuticals, 17(7), pp. 852. doi:10.3390/ph17070852 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17070852 - Dastagir, G. and Rizvi, M.A (2016) 'Review - Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (liquorice)', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 29(5), pp. 1727-1733. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20-%20Glycyrrhiza%20glabra%20L.%20%28liquorice%29 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2013) 'Community herbal monograph on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and/or Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. and/or Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., radix'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-glycyrrhiza-glabra-l-andor-glycyrrhiza-inflata-bat-andor-glycyrrhiza-uralensis-fisch-radix-first-version_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-glycyrrhiza-glabra-l-andor-glycyrrhiza-inflata-bat-andor-glycyrrhiza-uralensis-fisch-radix-first-version_en.pdf - Asl, M.N. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2008) 'Review of pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp', 22(6), pp. 709--724. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20of%20pharmacological%20effects%20of%20Glycyrrhiza%20sp. - Fiore, C. et al (2008) 'A history of the therapeutic use of liquorice in Europe', 99(3), pp. 317--324. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.015 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.015 - WHO (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Takahashi, K., Yoshino, T., Maki, Y., Ishiuchi, K., Namiki, T., Ogawa-Ochiai, K., Minamizawa, K., Makino, T., Nakamura, T., Mimura, M. and Watanabe, K (2019) 'Identification of glycyrrhizin metabolites in humans and of a potential biomarker of liquorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism', Archives of Toxicology, 93(11), pp. 3111-3119. doi:10.1007/s00204-019-02588-2 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02588-2 - Penninkilampi, R., Eslick, E.M. and Eslick, G.D (2017) 'The association between consistent licorice ingestion, hypertension and hypokalaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Human Hypertension, 31(11), pp. 699-707. doi:10.1038/jhh.2017.45 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2017.45 - Wu, T., Yang, J., Xia, J. and Sun, G (2024) 'Effects of licorice functional components intakes on blood pressure: a systematic review with meta-analysis and network toxicology', Nutrients, 16(21), pp. 3768. doi:10.3390/nu16213768 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213768 - af Geijerstam, P., Joelsson, A., Radholm, K. and Nystrom, F.H (2024) 'A low dose of daily licorice intake affects renin, aldosterone, and home blood pressure in a randomized crossover trial', The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 119(3), pp. 682-691. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.01.011 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.01.011
- 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 - 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
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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
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https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sanguinaria-canadensis/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.