Goldenseal Supplements and Natural Remedies

| Modified on Oct 23, 2020
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), closely related to the buttercup and similar in appearance, has long been a favorite herbal remedy in Native American communities. Goldenseal is prescribed for digestive issues, bad breath, oral health, against candida, and as an anti-fungal.

Ringworm seems to be another condition against which goldenseal can be effective. Combined with echinacea, it is often taken to prevent or ameliorate cold and flu symptoms.

While goldenseal seems quite safe in general, it does contain alkaloids and for that reason its use with pregnant women and children should be limited or avoided in most cases.




Allergies and Sinus Infections

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Posted by Beth (Roseville, MN) on 08/26/2006
★★★★★

For sinus problems use goldenseal power mixed with water to make a paste. Put it up your nose with Q-tip. Repeat until symptoms disappear. I have tried EVERYTHING else and THIS WORKS!

Replied by Rufina
(Az)
06/15/2020

My daughter suffer from Nosebleed several time every summer since we move to the dessert, Dr wants to do surgery but she also has celiac and her health is very fragile.

I will apply to her and hope she gets better I'm so desperately searching for anything besides surgery 😢

Sherry
(Arizona)
09/12/2020

I live in Arizona. My grandchildren had nosebleeds a few times a week. I would use a q tip with Vaseline and rub this up in their nose. Everyday then a few times a week, yes they let me, this stopped all of there nose bleeds. Hope this helps

Replied by Diana
(Canada)
06/18/2020

Hi Rufina -

Did the doctor say why your daughter needed surgery for her nosebleeds?

You mentioned that it started when you moved to the desert (Arizona) and happens several times over the summer.

When I lived in a dry climate, I had nosebleeds on a regular basis. I had to keep a humidifier going all of the time as well as stay well hydrated. I started taking fish oil supplements which helped greatly (the dry climate affected my eyes, too).

If your daughter's health is fragile, you may want to look into alternatives to surgery but first clarify with the doctor why surgery is required.

In the meantime, there is a page on Earth Clinic regarding nose bleeds:

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/bloody-nose-treatment.html

Hope it helps.


Allergies and Sinus Infections
Posted by Kim (Milwaukee)
★★★★★

When I feel an attack coming on (due to allergies or weather change) I start taking Goldenseal tablets. If you catch the attack in the early stages, the goldenseal will stop an infection and clear up congestion. The mix of Echinacea and goldenseal didn't work for me. Once the infection has a foothold however, the goldenseal didn't help much.


Bad Breath and Dental Problems

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Posted by Sandra (Near Atlanta, Georgia) on 05/06/2007
★★★★★

Thank you for this site. It is so informative and helpful! I discovered it a few months ago after I did a search for more information on oil pulling after hearing about it on a radio show. Since then I occassionally browse your site. I have yet to try the oil pulling, but I have started using Apple Cider Vinegar and the Blackstrap Molasses. I have not been consistent with the Blackstrap Molasses, but it has helped me. I am anemic with a fibroid & feel the difference in my energy & appearence. I have been using the ACV every day. I drink it in the mornings and I also put it in bottled water & take it with me to work to sip on all day. This has helped me with bad breath and is strengthening my gums and teeth.

I also want to share something that will stop bad breath that I have not seen discussed anywhere. I know from personal experience how big this problem can be. Perhaps my experience will help someone who is hurting and needing help as I was. I quit a very good job because of my problem. I suffered a lot of hurt and embarrassment not to mention the financial stress of being unemployed. At the time I could not see another solution to my problem. My job required talking on the telephone with customers all day long and being in close quarters with many co-workers. I could not afford to go to the dentist. Even though I had that job I was not yet eligible for dental insurance. I wish I'd found the solution before I quit. I had very bad breath from infected gums and an infected tooth with a hole in it. I tried all kinds of things, but nothing would stop the smell. I tried several things and added more things as I discovered them. (Peroxide, baking soda, lots of vitamin C, etc.) Then I decided that I could temporarily plug up the hole with cotton soaked with Tea Tree Oil. Then I started using some dental wax to cover the cotton. That helped a lot, but the smell & taste from the infected tooth came back after a very short period of time. Then one day I decided to see what herbs the herbalist Dr. John Christopher recommended for my problem. In that search I found information on Echinacea. He said this herb actually eliminates foul odors and fetid discharges. It's anti-putrefactive, and arrests pus formation. Also it is an excellent healing agent wherever tissue decay is taking place and it is a blood purifier. I immediately found some Echinacea and Goldenseal capsules that I had sitting around and took some. Then I opened one of the capsules and poured some of the powder in the hole in my tooth and packed it with the Tea Tree Oil soaked cotton. This WORKED! The Echinacea & Goldenseal powder got rid of the odor! It's getting rid of the infection. It turns out that Goldenseal is also good for periodontal disease. It also helps with digestive disorders that might cause bad breath. I'm thrilled! I now have another good job that is in some ways better than the other one. It also requires that I talk to customers on the telephone all day and be in close quarters with co-workers. Everything is fine there. I have not been to a dentist yet, but my bad breath and gum infection is under control. I will eventually have to go to the dentist to have the hole filled, but I am so happy that this problem is solved. No more embarrassment from having bad breath and I don't have to make an expensive trip to the dentist without insurance. Again, THANK YOU for this site. You don't know how much you're helping by the information you provide.

Replied by Mclarry
(Texas, Houston)
11/15/2015

I have 3 teeth with holes that are not yet filled and 2 molars in the lower right and one molar in the lower left which were pulled in the span of 10 years- the latest was one year ago. I don't kiss my wife that much anymore because she complained that my breath upsets her as it's not sweet-smelling as before, even if I have just brushed my teeth and gargled on mouthwash. My dentist told me that the unfilled teeth cause the smell and I have to have them filled immediately. I don't wear dentures because I have proven that they also cause bad breath. It seems that I will have to live with bad breath all my life.

Reading your post gives me new hope though. I want to try filling the holes of my teeth with echinacea and goldenseal powder. Do I need to mix them first before application or you just apply them one after the other?

How many times a day do you do this?

Replied by Tia
(Chicago, Il)
09/14/2017

I want to Thankyou so much for your review.


BAM Remedies

Posted by Jeff (Atco, NJ ) on 10/17/2020

Ailments - You should add Bile Malabsorption.

EC: Done! New page added on 10/23/20.

Please send us your remedy suggestions!


Boils, Cysts, Athlete's Foot, Rashes

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Posted by Twila (Alexandria, Virginia Usa) on 09/29/2009
★★★★★

My father had boils, i.e., cysts, appear on his arms for years. I found that Goldenseal Root is a GREAT herb with 'drawing' powers. I convinced him to try my paste, let it dry, then wash it off. Not only did the cyst go away fast, but has not returned! I have used Goldenseal Root to 'draw' infection out of cuts, sores, etc., and even cure athletes foot. You only need a small amount of the powder and a tiny amount of water. Stir into a paste quickly and spread it on the affected area. Let it dry. Rinse off. You have to be quick as it begins to work as soon as water hits it. Be careful, a tiny amount of water goes a long way! My mom had a rash on the back of her hand - all the prescription creams made it go away but as soon as she stopped using, the rash would reappear. Used the Goldenseal Root past method on the rash. It went away in 2 days and never returned.


Cure-All

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Posted by Alakhi (Bozeman, MT) on 05/09/2009
★★★★★

I took 2 capsules of goldenseal and echinacea 2x day and my boils changed from the size of a golf ball to a pea in 3 days. My acne also cleared up during that period of time, although i still have it now that i am not taking it.( not safe to take for an extended amount of time) I also had a bad bug with the runs and my runs went away in 1 day. my friend who had the same bug who did not take goldenseal had the runs for a week.


Cure-All
Posted by Sommer (Irmo, SC) on 01/02/2008
★★★★★

I know Goldenseal is commonly thought of to aid in passing a drug test and unfortunatly people over look it because of that. My mother has been using it for years and gave it to us. You can take it when you start to feel a cold or flu comming on and it will bump it right off- plus it dries up congestion. If you get the powder or capsules that can be opened to release the powder you fill an average coffee mug 3/4 with water add a good tsp of Goldenseal powder and make it like tea in the microwave. If you have a sore throat (even strep) you gargle with it every couple of hours and your throat will start feeling better the first time- it tastes awful but works better than anything I have ever tried. It will cure strep in a day or two. Also, after you have made the tea you can filter it thru a paper towel to remove the grit and it can be used in your eyes or ears for pink eye or ear infections. It can be used painlessly on cuts or anywhere infection could be a problem. It is like a safe antibiotic that won't kill the good guys(bacteria) but is devastating to the bad guys. Great for use on pets too! When used in the eye it will not burn a bit. I have had more discomfort from actual eye drops than from goldenseal. I think everyone should keep it in the medicine cabinet because it is cheap, natural and oh so effective for many different cases.

Replied by Brittani91
(Oak Grove, Ky)
09/22/2010

Can you find goldenseal root powder in stores like walmart or walgreens?


Gas and Bloating

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Posted by Mark (Portland, Oregon) on 11/16/2008
★★★★★

Hi, I have found a great gas/bloating remedy. If you put a capsule of golden seal in an enema bag with warm (purified) water, it makes the best enema. At least for me, it makes me go and go until I am completely clean and fresh. I like it much better than coffee, and it really clears my head. I feel like it gives the digestive tract a fresh start and cleanses my blood. This is also a great way to move out hardened waste and therefore lose some excess weight. It also seems to cure constipation which I used to get, but now is very rare, which usually comes on from eating something bad. I just do another enema! Also I do one whenever I feel like I am starting to get sick and if I do it early enough it just goes away. In fact I haven't taken a sick day in over 4 years! It only takes a few minutes to do and then I just jump in the shower. All the benefits of golden seal in a powerful and quicker way.


General Feedback

Posted by Otnot (Anaheim, Ca) on 04/29/2011

Just wanted to let everyone know, with all of this talk about Goldenseal... It is an endangered herb due to overharvesting so please make sure your source is sustainable. If it is such a great cure, we need to take our part in protecting it, right? Cheers!


Nail Fungus

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Posted by Kathy (Carrollton, TX) on 08/04/2006
★★★★★

I had toe nail fungus on one corner of one big toe for a few years. Over-the-counter products didn't work. I read that GOLDENSEAL EXTRACT worked, so I tried that. Used an eye dropper and also gently worked some under the nail with a metal nail file. It tended to stain the nail yellow, but it worked. I sometimes used tea tree oil too. And I'm thinking I may have tried hydrogen peroxide or vicks - can't remember right now. I think trying various of these home remedies helps. I also read that PAU D'ARC extract worked too, but I never bought it, since I got rid of the fungus without needing to try something else. Also, made sure the nail was dry before putting on socks and shoes.


Parasites

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Posted by Mandandi (Gaborone) on 05/28/2018
★★★★★

Hello, After clearing systemic candida infection, I was then diagnosed with multiple parasites all over my body - heart, liver, kidneys, gut etc. This was no surprise since candida had really weakened my immune system.

Finally, my herbalist recommended golden seal powder, with strict instructions for me to use it 1 teaspoon per cup for one week, then 3 weeks off.

I followed the instructions and immediately and by the end of the week, my bones were extremely painful. The pain lasted for about 3 months, during which I stopped all exercises. I knew that my bones were infected, so this pain was a sign that the golden seal was killing the parasites in my bones. I still took the golden seal as recommended. However, in the 4th month, after the pain subsided, I took 2 teaspoons in a pot of tea holding 3 cups which I refilled each day for a week. (Poured 1 cup out of the pot, then poured 1 cup hot water and let it sit for 24 hours).

The next month, I used 3 teaspoons of goldenseal in the same pot as took the tea as in month 3 above. This cleared all the parasites I had.

Let me add at this point, that I also used the same dosages for wormwood, black walnut leaves and cloves. I had been using the last 3 for months will slow but sure progress. Goldenseal quickened the parasite cleanse.

The other side effect during this time was sleeping way too much. The sleep was good though. I needed it to not feel that pain.

Replied by Timh
(Ky)
05/30/2018
2063 posts

Glad to hear of your success in ridding parasites with herbs. I have that problem also and recently been researching Berberine (the active alkaloid in Goldenseal), and concluded that Berberine goes beyond killing bacterial & fungal infections, but is specifically active against flat or tapeworm parasites as it is an benzylisoquinoline family of chemicals. Recent results with taking one capsule of 800mg Berberine is very good.

This info also serves well in my hypothesis of why or how Morphine saved my life (as I was in severe pain) during an acute episode of Aplasitic Anemia back in 1997. My recovery appeared quite miraculous but I knew that somehow Morphine was the key factor. Morphine as well as it's analogues is also in the family of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. The most likely parasite in question would have been Fluke(s).


Ringworm

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Posted by Bayliss (Roselle, NJ) on 07/05/2007
★★★★★

I got ringworm a few times as a child, and my mother put bleach on a cloth and put it on the affected area for about 5 minutes, and then she would boil a tea bag of Goldenseal Tea, and place that on the area as well. It definitely kills the ringworm. I definitely recommend this remedy.


Stomach Ache

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Posted by Brooklyn Baby (Brooklyn, Ny) on 12/30/2018 10 posts
★★★★★

I had the worst stomach ache. I felt like I was dying. I could barely walk to the bathroom without feeling like I would collapse. A friend just happened to call me on the phone and I told them of my ailment. They suggested to me to drink goldenseal tea. Well I drank it and the taste almost killed me but the most miraculous thing happened. My stomach stopped hurting IMMEDIATELY. I tell you, if you can get get passed the taste you will be cured. I think that it cured every bad organism in my body on that day.