GOLDENSEAL
Hydrastis canadensis
COMMON NAMES: Yellow puccoon, ground raspberry, tumeric root, yellow root, orange root.
FEATURES: A perennial herb native to the moist woods and damp meadows of eastern North America.
The rough, wrinkled yellow root contains several alkaloids; odor is distinct, with a bitter taste. When
fresh it is juicy and is used by Native Americans to color their clothing, etc. The plant sends up a simple
hairy stem 8–20 inches tall with 3–5-lobed, dark green leaves that in the summer may become 4–10
inches broad. The May and June flower a solitary, small, white or rose colored, appearing in early spring
followed by a crimson head or small berries resembling raspberry, and consists of many two-seeded
drupes. The wild plant is scarce today and is cultivated for medicinal purposes.
MEDICINAL PART: Root.
SOLVENT: Alcohol, diluted alcohol, boiling water.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Tonic, alterative, laxative.
USES: The Cherokees introduced goldenseal as an agent for treating ulcers and arrow wounds. Since then
it has gained a reputation as one of the most powerful agents in the entire herb kingdom.
It is recognized as useful in congested conditions, sustaining the circulation of blood in the veins; this
attribute is valuable in heart affections where the extremities are usually cold and lips bluish. To
strengthen the weakened condition, it is best to combine 1 part each of capsicum and skullcap to 4 parts
goldenseal.
For debilitated conditions of mucous membrane of the stomach, goldenseal pulls rank. Can be used in a
wide range of illnesses ranging from the common cold to complicated advancements, grippe, ulcerated
stomach, dyspepsia, enlarged tonsils, diphtheria, chronic catarrh of the intestines, skin eruptions, scarlet
fever, and smallpox.
Combine 4 parts goldenseal to 1 part myrrh gum for a strong decoction that is valuable in gleet, chronic
gonorrhea, leukorrhea, incipient stricture, spermatorrhea, and inflammation and ulceration of the internal
coat of the bladder. The latter may be treated by goldenseal alone. It must be injected into the bladder and