Plant Comparison
Goldenseal vs Breckland Thyme
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
Goldenseal and Breckland Thyme: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, indigestion, infection (general), …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Goldenseal | Breckland Thyme | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Indigestion | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Infection (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Goldenseal |
| Wounds | 5/10 | 1/10 | 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
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.
The volatile oil, dominated by thymol and carvacrol, gives most of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Contribute additional antioxidant activity.
Minor constituents studied for anti-inflammatory 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 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
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
Generally safe at culinary doses. Essential oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted before topical use; undiluted application can cause skin sensitisation. Not recommended internally during pregnancy (uterine stimulant effects possible). Phenol-rich thyme preparations should be avoided long-term in high doses. May potentiate anticoagulant medications.
Duke (2002) rates Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme, closely related to breckland thyme) as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for antibacterial, bronchospasmolytic, and antispasmodic activities, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals for bronchitis and upper respiratory catarrh. The primary active constituent is thymol, with carvacrol as a secondary compound. Dose: 1–2 g dried herb as tea three times daily. The plant demonstrates COX-2 inhibitory activity and calcium antagonism, which may explain its antispasmodic effects (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
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]
Low, mat-forming, aromatic perennial subshrub with tiny, oval, strongly aromatic leaves on trailing, wiry, hairy stems that root as they spread. Small, pinkish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in dense whorled clusters at the stem tips.
Habitat
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]
Grows on dry, sunny heath, grassland, rocky ground and sandy soils; native to Europe and widely distributed across the northern temperate zone.
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]
The flowering aerial parts (flower and leaf) are cut at the start of flowering in summer and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.
Traditional Uses
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.
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water as a traditional respiratory and digestive tea.
Dosage
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.
Not documented
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
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 - 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/
- Jalil, B., Pischel, I., Feistel, B., Suarez, C. and others (2024) 'Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits', Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, pp. 1380962. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 - Sonmezdag, A.S., Kelebek, H. and Selli, S (2016) 'Characterization of aroma-active and phenolic profiles of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) by GC-MS-Olfactometry and LC-ESI-MS/MS', Journal of Food Science and Technology, 53(4), pp. 1957-1965. doi:10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 - Pavlic, B., Mrkonjic, Z., Teslic, N., Kljakic, A.C. and others (2022) 'Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) Extraction Improves Polyphenol Yield and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extracts', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1508. doi:10.3390/molecules27051508 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051508 - Mrkonjic, Z., Kaplan, M., Milosevic, S., Bozovic, D. and others (2024) 'Green Extraction Approach for Isolation of Bioactive Compounds in Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Herbal Dust-Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Comparison with Conventional Techniques', Plants, 13(6), pp. 897. doi:10.3390/plants13060897 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060897 - Sokolic-Mihalak, D., Frece, J., Slavica, A., Delas, F. and others (2012) 'The effects of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) essential oil components against ochratoxin-producing Aspergilli', Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 63(4), pp. 457-462. doi:10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 - Jaric, S., Mitrovic, M. and Pavlovic, P (2015) 'Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Study of Thymus serpyllum L', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 101978. doi:10.1155/2015/101978 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/101978 - Loziene, K., Vaiciuniene, J. and Venskutonis, P.R (1998) 'Chemical composition of the essential oil of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum s.l.) growing wild in Lithuania', Planta Medica, 64(8), pp. 772-773. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957582 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957582 - Raal, A., Paaver, U., Arak, E. and Orav, A (2004) 'Content and composition of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. growing wild in Estonia', Medicina (Kaunas), 40(8), pp. 795-800. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Content%20and%20composition%20of%20the%20essential%20oil%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20L.%20growing%20wild%20in%20Estonia - Bozkurt, E., Atmaca, H., Kisim, A., Uzunoglu, S. and others (2012) 'Effects of Thymus serpyllum extract on cell proliferation, apoptosis and epigenetic events in human breast cancer cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 64(8), pp. 1245-1250. doi:10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 - Jovanovic, A.A., Levic, S.M., Pavlovic, V.B., Markovic, S.B. and others (2021) 'Freeze vs. Spray Drying for Dry Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extract Formulations: The Impact of Gelatin as a Coating Material', Molecules, 26(13), pp. 3933. doi:10.3390/molecules26133933 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133933 - European Medicines Agency (2010) 'Assessment report on Thymus vulgaris L., herba and Thymus zygis L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Assessment%20report%20on%20Thymus%20vulgaris%20L.%2C%20herba%20and%20Thymus%20zygis%20L.%2C%20herba - Kempe, K., Doerfler, G., Bader, D. and Wicht, M (2011) 'Activity of Thymus serpyllum against oral pathogens', 9(1), pp. 23--28. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Activity%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20against%20oral%20pathogens - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - 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
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.