PDR for Herbal Medicines

358 /GOLDENSEAL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Osol A & Farrar CG (eds): The Dispensatory of the United

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Papaveraceae alkaloids, in Manske RHF & Holmes HL (eds):

The Alkaloids, Vol. 15. Academic Press, p 239. 1975.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen. Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Sack RB & Froehlich JL: Berberine inhibits intestinal secretory
   response of Vibrio cholerae toxins and Escherichia coli
   enterotoxins. Infect Immun 35:471-475. 1982.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie. 5. Aufl.. Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
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   adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells,
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   32:1370-1374. 1988.
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   induced secretion in rat ileum by luminal berberine. Am J
   Physiol 1981; 241:G248-252.
   Tierra M: The Way of Herbs. Unity Press. Santa Cruz, CA,
   USA, 1980.
   Tyler VE: The Honest Herbal. George F Stickley Company,
   Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp 111-112. 1982.
   Tyler VE: Golden Seal: can this herb boost immunity.
   Prevention July:68-70. 1997.
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   York 1995.
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   studies of berberine used alone and in combination with 1,3-
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Goldthread

Coptis trifolia
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the rhizome and
sometimes the stems and leaves.
Flower and Fruit: The solitary flowers are small and white,
and are arranged on leafless scapes.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Goldthread is a perennial plant in
bushes of up to 15 cm with yellowish, scaly leaves at the
base and long-petioled, obovate, evergreen leaves. The
rhizome is thread-like, golden yellow with a matte surface
and very small roots.

Characteristics: Goldthread has a very bitter taste and slight
odor.

Habitat: Coptis trifolia is indigenous to India and Coptis

groenlandica, which is also used, is indigenous to Greenland

and Iceland.

Production: Goldthread rhizome is the rhizome of- Coptis

trifolia.

Other Names: Mouth Root, Cankerroot, Yellowroot, Coptis,

Coptide, Coptis Groenlandica

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Isoquinoline alkaloids (6 to 9%): including coptin, berberine

EFFECTS

The herb is a bitter tonic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Goldthread is used in digestive disorders.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: Health risks or side effects following the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not

recorded.

Berberine has a mutagenic effect upon yeast cells and in the

Ames test (intercalation into the DNA), although that does

not necessarily mean a mutagenic effect for the drug when

administered to humans.

Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Internally as a powdered drug or a

liquid extract.

LITERATURE

Hegnauer R Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen. Bde 1-11,

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

Kern W, List PH, Hdrhammer L (Ed), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 1969.

Gossypium herbaceum

See Levant Cotton

Gossypium hirsutum

See Cotton