Ingredient guide
Goldenseal is a North American plant whose roots contain berberine and hydrastine. It has been used as a traditional antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herb. Modern human evidence is sparse, and many products are adulterated or contain little real goldenseal.
Limited evidenceGoldenseal is a small forest plant native to eastern North America. Its yellow rhizome contains berberine and hydrastine, two alkaloids with antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies. Wild populations have been over-harvested, so most products today should come from cultivated sources.
Despite long traditional use as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory tonic, high-quality human studies of goldenseal itself are sparse. A bigger practical problem is product quality. Independent analyses have found that many goldenseal supplements contain little to no real goldenseal, with cheap substitutes used instead. We grade the human evidence as limited.
Traditional use and supplement labels vary widely. Capsules of standardised extract typically supply 250 mg to 500 mg per dose. There is no established standard. Ask your healthcare provider before regular use, since interactions are well documented.
Traditional use is strong, but rigorous human trials are sparse. Most of its activity comes from berberine, which is now sold as a separate supplement.
No. Berberine can cross the placenta and may displace bilirubin in newborns. Avoid goldenseal in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
