G
Anthranoid-containing laxatives can be habit-forming; some contain compounds suspected of
being cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and even tumorigenic; epidemiological studies in Ger-
many reveal that abusers of anthranoid laxatives have a three times higher rate of colon carcinoma.
The Germans seem to have muted the cancer scare. “Recent studies, however, have revealed no
connection between the administration of anthracene drugs and the frequency of carcinomas of
the colon” (PH2).
GOLDTHREAD (Coptis spp.) +Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoides C.Y. Cheng & Hsiao, Coptis japonica (Thunb.) Makino,
or other berberine-containing species of the same genus (WHO), which would include India’s
Coptis teeta Wall., and our American Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb.
Activities (Goldthread) — Alexeteric (f; DAA); Amebicide (1; WHO); Analgesic (1; DAA);
Antiacetylcholinesterase (1; WHO); Antialzheimeran (1; COX; FNF); Antiarthritic (1; COX; FNF);
Antibacterial (1; WHO); Anticancer (1; COX; FNF); Antidote, daylily (f; FAY); Antidysenteric (1;
DAA; WHO); Antigiardic (1; X2131648); Antihelicobacter (1; X9781854); Antiinflammatory (1;
COX; DAA); Antiperiodic (1; PNC); Antiperistaltic (1; FNF); Antipyretic (f; DAA); Antisecretory
(1; WHO); Antiseptic (1; DAA; WHO); Antitrypanosomic (1; X9121161); Antiulcer (1; X9781854);
Astringent (1; DEM); Bitter (1; DAA); cAMP-Inhibitor (1; WHO); Candidicide (1; X2079677);
Collyrium (f; DAA; DEM); Digestive (1; PH2; PNC); Hypoglycemic (1; WHO); Mutagenic (1;
PH2); Stomachic (f; DAA; SKJ); Tonic (1; FEL; MIC; PH2; PNC); Trichomonicide (1; WHO;
X2131648).
Indications (Goldthread) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Alcoholism (f; FAD; FEL); Alzheimer’s (1;
COX; FNF); Ameba (1; WHO); Amebiasis (1; WHO); Anorexia (f; MIC); Anxiety (f; DAA);
Aphtha (f; DAA); Arthrosis (1; COX; DAA; FNF; WHO); Backache (f; SKJ); Bacteria (1; WHO);
Biliousness (f; DEM); Boil (1; DAA; WHO); Burn (f; WHO); Cancer (1; COX; DAA; FNF;
JLH); Cancer, gland (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, nose (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, pharynx (1; COX;
JLH); Cancer, stomach (1; COX; JLH; MIC); Cancer, thyroid (1; COX; JLH); Candida (1; FAD;
X2079677); Canker (1; DAA; DEM); Chafing (f; MIC); Cholera (1; WHO); Cold (f; DEM;
FAY); Conjunctivosis (1; DAA; FAD; WHO); Cough (f; DEM); Cramp (f; DAA; DEM; FAD);
Debility (f; SKJ); Dentition (f; DEM); Dermatosis (1; DAA; WHO); Diabetes (1; DAA; WHO);
Diarrhea (1; DEM; MIC; WHO); Diphtheria (1; DAA); Dysentery (1; DAA; WHO); Dysmen-
orrhea (1; WHO); Dyspepsia (f; DEM; FAD; FEL); Earache (f; DEM); Eczema (1; DAA); Edema
(1; DAA); Enterosis (1; DAA; WHO); Epistaxis (f; DAA); Escherichia (f; HHB); Fever (f; DAA);
Gastrosis (1; DEM; FAD; FEL; WHO); Gingivosis (f; DEM); Gout (1; WHO); Helicobacter (1;
X9781854); Hematemesis (f; DAA); Hemoptysis (f; DAA); Hemorrhoid (f; DAA); Hepatosis (f;
DAA); Infection (1; DAA; DEM); Inflammation (1; COX; DAA; FAD; FEL; FNF); Insomnia
(f; DAA); Jaundice (f; DEM; FAD); Leishmaniasis (1; WHO); Leukemia (f; JLH); Malaria (f;
SKJ; WOI); Nausea (f; DAA; DEM; FAD); Nephrosis (f; WHO); Ophthalmia (1; DEM); Otitis
Media (1; DAA); Pain (1; DAA; DEM); Pertussis (1; DAA); Respirosis (1; DEM); Salmonella
(1; HHB); Scabies (f; DAA); Scarlet Fever (1; DAA); Sore (f; DAA; DEM); Sore Throat (1;
DEM; FAD); Stomachache (f; DAA); Stomatosis (f; DEM; FEL); Streptococcus (1; HHB);
Syphilis (f; DAA); Toothache (1; DAA; WHO); Trench Mouth (f; DEM); Trichomoniasis (1;
WHO); Tuberculosis (1; DAA); Ulcer (1; X9781854); Vaginosis (1; DAA); VD (f; DEM); Vertigo
(f; DEM); Worm (f; DEM); Yeast (1; FAD; X2079677).
Dosages (Goldthread) — 0.5–1.2 g powdered rhizome; 2–4 ml liquid extract (PNC); 1.5–6 g crude
drug/day (WHO).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Goldthread) — Class 2b. Emmenagogue/uter-
ine stimulant (AHP). Not covered (KOM). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper