GOLDENSEAL

Practical applications:

• Alcoholic Liver Disease
• Cancer
• Infection
• Cystitis

American Indians used goldenseal as a dye and as a medication for inflammatory internal conditions such as repiratory, digestive and genito-urinary tract inflammation induced by allergy or infection.   It is believed that the high content of alkaloids gives its antibiotic, anti-infective and immune stimulating qualities.  One of these alkaloids, berberine aids against the infection of mucous membranes such as the lining of the oral cavity, throat, sinus, bronchi, genito-urinary tract and gastrointestinal (GI) tract.   Linical studies have shown it effective in the treatment of diarrhea cause by E. coli (traveller's diarrhea), Shigella dysenteriae (shigellosis), salmonella paratyphi (food poisoning), giardia lamblia giardiasis), and vibrio cholerae, (cholera).  It is considered non-toxic even when used long-term, but not recommended for pregnant women and caution is advised for high doses occasionally interfere with B vitamin metabolism.

ŠJamie Longstreet 1996-2004