Goldenseal root has a long history of use among indigenous cultures of the northeast, its native habitat. The Cherokee were known to use it for treatment of general debility, as well as mixing it with bear grease to make an insect repellant. The plant was first described to the outside world in the 1700's.

Goldenseal came into prominence among North American settlers in the 1800's, displacing its cousin goldthread as the popular herbal remedy of the time. By 1910 it was nearly harvested to extinction in the wild, and is still a rare plant in some regions due to over-harvesting.

Goldenseal is also used for the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, as well as stuffy nose and hay fever. Some people use goldenseal for digestive disorders including stomach pain and swelling (gastritis), peptic ulcers, colitis, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, and intestinal gas.

Goldenseal is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), internal bleeding, bleeding after childbirth, liver disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), jaundice, gonorrhea, fever, pneumonia, malaria, whooping cough, and an eating disorder called anorexia.

Women use goldenseal for vaginal pain and swelling and menstrual period problems.

Goldenseal is applied to the skin for rashes, ulcers, wound infections, itching, eczema, acne, dandruff, ringworm, herpes blisters, and cold sores. It is used as a mouthwash for sore gums and mouth.

Some people use goldenseal as an eyewash for eye inflammation and eye infections called conjunctivitis, or “pink eye.”

Goldenseal is used in the ears for ringing, earache, and deafness.

For educational purposes only. The above information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.