Materia Medica

Hydrastis canadensis L., Ranunculaceae.  The common names are goldenseal, yellow root, yellow puccoon, eye balm

Native Americans used Hydrastis and introduced it to the early settlers.  The Eclectic physicians used it for a variety of conditions including chronic gastric catarrhal states, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, stomach ulcers and catarrhal states of the mucous membranes.  They also used it for conjunctival inflammations, corneal ulcerations, acne, hemorrhage from uterine fibroid and endometriosis, bladder inflammation and gonorrhea.  It was official in the United State Pharmacopoeia from 1831 to 1842 and 1863 to 1936 and in the National Formulary from 1936 to 1960. 

One of the modern myths of Hydrastis is that it can mask illicit drugs in the urine.  This probably comes from a fictional plot of Stringtown on the Pike, by John Uri Lloyd, and has no scientific evidence to support this use. 

Although Hydrastis is not yet on the endangered species list, it is a scarce species and is experiencing intense harvesting due to its popularity.  There is a strong effort to find other plants to substitute for it.  The berberine containing herbs have been the most likely, including Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aquifolium and Coptis trifolia.  Cultivation of Hydrastis is difficult and expensive, but with the scarcity of the wild variety, cultivation is on the increase.         

The genus Hydrastis contains one monotypic species and is native to North America.  It grows in rich shady woods from Vermont to Minnesota, south to Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas.  It is an herbaceous perennial with a knotty yellow rhizome from which grows a single leaf and a hairy stem.  In the spring it has two five- to nine-lobed rounded leaves near the top and has a single greenish-white flower followed by a berry that contains

Rhizome and root fibers are the parts used and are available in bulk herb, capsules, hydroalcoholic extracts, glycerite extracts, and ointments

The alkaloids hydrastine and berberine are considered to be the primary active constituents.  There has not been much research on the plant Hydrastis, but these alkaloids, particularly berberine, have been the target of a number of studies.  Berberine and its salt, berberine sulfate, have been found to have antibiotic activity against bacteria, protozoa and fungi.  These include gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths, chlamydia and viruses.^[i] 

Many diarrhea bacteria, including E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella and cholera are susceptible to berberine.  Hydrastis is frequently used for diarrhea conditions.  In addition to direct antibacterial effect, berberine has been shown to block the adherence of Strep. Pyogenes and E. coli to erythrocytes and epithelial cells.  It is also helpful against Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas and other internal parasites.  There have been a number of favorable children’s trials with Giardia.^[ii]  Berberine has been found to be as effective as metronidazole.^[iii]

It has traditionally been used to treat eye complaints and infections, being included in a number of commercial sterile eyewashes.  There have been some minor studies, with favorable results that indicate its efficiency in this area.^[iv]

These alkaloids have astringent properties and help to reduce inflammation of mucous membranes.  This makes it a popular remedy for mucous membrane infections.  The berberine stimulates the secretion of bile and bilirubin and has been used for gall bladder and liver problems. ^[v]  There is also some cardiac effect, hydrastine raises blood pressure and berberine lowers blood pressure.  The plant also appears to have a hypoglycemic effect.^[vi]  There has been some study of berberine for the inhibition of tumors.^[vii]

Hydrastis is a popular herb on the commercial market, commonly being misused.  It is often combined with echinacea and used for the onset of a cold.  Herbalist’s opinion is that it is not appropriate for the onset of a cold, but may be useful in the later stages, especially if there is the complications of a bacterial infection.  It is used for mucous membrane infections in particular.  It is also used frequently for bacterial diarrhea and giardia. 

It is used for external wounds, either as an ointment or the powdered herb is sprinkled directly on the wound.  A sterile solution of Hydrastis is used for an eyewash.  As a bitter, it is sometimes used for stimulating digestive secretions. 

The primary constituents are the isoquinoline alkaloids, hydrastine, berberine, canadine, berberastine, hydrastididine, isohyrastidine, (s)-corypalmine, (s)-isocorypalmine and 1-a-hydrastine.  It also contains D-fructose, D-galactose, inositol, D-glucose and sucrose.^[viii]

The recommended dosage is 0.5-1 g.  Tincture (1:10, 60% ethanol) 2-4 ml.  Liquid extract (1:1, 60% ethanol) 0.3-1 ml. Extract standardized to contain 5% hydrastine: 250-500mg.  All of these are taken three times a day.

Hydrastis provides its benefits in small doses and  does its work in a few days to a week.  Large doses or long duration can begin to cause side effects.

It is not recommended during pregnancy and nursing because the alkaloids can stimulate uterine contractions.  Side effects can include oversecretion of mucous membranes, intestinal and stomach distress are reactions caused by overuse of Hydrastis.  Excess doses of hydrastine can cause exaggerated reflexes, hypertension, convulsions and death from respiratory failure.^[ix]