How does goldenseal work to fight infections?

Goldenseal contains berberine and hydrastine, alkaloids with demonstrated antimicrobial properties. Berberine interferes with bacterial cell division and prevents pathogens from adhering to cell walls. It also stimulates immune cell activity and reduces inflammation. Hydrastine provides astringent effects that tighten mucous membranes, helping block pathogen entry. These combined mechanisms make goldenseal effective against bacteria, fungi, and certain parasites (Evidence Level B).

Can I take goldenseal while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Goldenseal is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Berberine crosses the placenta and may cause uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage or premature labor. It can also cause kernicterus, a type of brain damage, in newborns. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid goldenseal as berberine passes into breast milk. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive should not use goldenseal under any circumstances (Evidence Level B).

What medications does goldenseal interact with?

Goldenseal interacts with numerous medications due to berberine's inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes, particularly CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. This affects metabolism of cyclosporine, increasing toxicity risk. Goldenseal may enhance effects of blood thinners, antidiabetic drugs, blood pressure medications, and sedatives. It can also interfere with certain antidepressants and antifungal medications. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining goldenseal with prescription medications (Evidence Level B).

What is the recommended dosage for goldenseal supplements?

The standard adult dosage for goldenseal is 250-500mg of standardized extract taken three times daily, not exceeding three weeks of continuous use. For liquid extracts, 2-4mL of 1:2 extract or 5-10mL of 1:5 tincture three times daily is typical. Extended use beyond three weeks may reduce effectiveness and increase side effect risk. Dosage should be individualized based on health status and tolerance (Evidence Level B, Traditional).

What are the side effects of taking goldenseal?

Common goldenseal side effects include gastrointestinal upset, nausea, constipation, and mouth irritation. Some individuals experience photosensitivity, increasing sunburn risk. High doses may cause numbness, difficulty breathing, or liver strain. Goldenseal is contraindicated for those with hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, or G6PD deficiency. Long-term use can lead to reduced beneficial gut bacteria. Discontinue use if adverse symptoms occur (Evidence Level B, Traditional).

What is goldenseal used to treat?

Goldenseal is traditionally used for eye infections, digestive issues, respiratory infections, skin conditions, and wound care. Native American healers employed it for infections and inflammatory complaints. Modern use focuses on gastrointestinal infections, topical wound antisepsis, and upper respiratory support. Evidence supports antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, though clinical trials remain limited. It is often combined with echinacea in immune-support formulations (Evidence Level B, Traditional).

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Qu'est-ce qu'une interaction plante-médicament ?

Une interaction plante-médicament se produit lorsqu'une plante ou un complément modifie l'action d'un médicament dans votre organisme — en le rendant plus puissant, moins efficace, ou plus susceptible de provoquer des effets nocifs. Les plantes contiennent des composés actifs qui peuvent accélérer ou ralentir les enzymes et transporteurs utilisés pour métaboliser les médicaments.

Pourquoi c'est important

Millepertuis peut rendre la contraception, les antidépresseurs et les anticoagulants moins efficaces.

Ail peut augmenter le risque de saignement avec la warfarine et autres anticoagulants (aussi ginkgo, gingembre et curcuma).

Kava peut amplifier la sédation avec les médicaments contre l'anxiété ou le sommeil (aussi la valériane).

Le risque est plus élevé chez les personnes âgées, ceux qui prennent plusieurs médicaments et les personnes atteintes de maladies chroniques.

Indiquez toujours à votre médecin et à votre pharmacien toutes les plantes et compléments que vous prenez — et vérifiez ci-dessous avant toute association.

Interactions Médicamenteuses Connues (2)

1 Sévère1 Modéré

Médicament	Sévérité	Description
Metformin	Modéré	La berbérine présente dans l'hydraste du Canada peut renforcer les effets hypoglycémiants de la metformine.
Cyclosporine	Sévère	L'hydraste du Canada (berberine) peut augmenter significativement les taux sanguins de cyclosporine, augmentant le risque de toxicité.

Cette liste reflète un sous-ensemble sélectionné d'interactions documentées et n'est pas exhaustive. L'absence d'un médicament ici ne prouve pas qu'il est sans danger à combiner. Confirmez toujours auprès d'un pharmacien ou d'un professionnel de santé.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 27 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial plant native to eastern North America containing isoquinoline alkaloids, most notably berberine [PMID:37562957, PMID:30000926].

Contexte

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial plant native to eastern North America [PMID:37562957]. It is commonly available as a dietary supplement in various forms, including capsules, pills, tablets, lozenges, liquids, and powders [PMID:30725649].

Usages traditionnels

Goldenseal has been traditionally used as an anti-infective both systemically and topically [PMID:30000926], and is used to treat skin infections [PMID:22814821], bacterial infections, and digestive problems [PMID:30031041].

Composés actifs

The plant contains isoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine (the most abundant), hydrastine, canadine, palmatine, and hydrastinine [PMID:17645667, PMID:14640583]. It also contains flavonoids such as sideroxylin, 8-desmethyl-sideroxylin, and 6-desmethyl-sideroxylin [PMID:21661731].

Mécanisme d'action

Berberine exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro [PMID:27671811]. Goldenseal extracts and specific flavonoids may act as efflux pump inhibitors (e.g., inhibiting the NorA pump in S. aureus), which synergistically enhances the antibacterial activity of berberine [PMID:21157683, PMID:21661731]. Additionally, leaf extracts have demonstrated quorum quenching activity against MRSA by attenuating signal transduction [PMID:22814821].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve BMetabolic Health (Berberine)

Lipid-lowering and insulin-resistance improving actions have been demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials [PMID:27671811].

Preuve BType 2 Diabetes (Metformin Interaction)

A three-arm crossover study in adults with type 2 diabetes found no clinically meaningful interaction between goldenseal and metformin [PMID:39943692].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Goldenseal alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, hydrastine, and canadine) have shown phototoxicity to human keratinocytes, lens epithelial cells, and retinal pigment epithelial cells when exposed to UVA radiation [PMID:17645667, PMID:16780351, PMID:11712911].

Grossesse et allaitement

Goldenseal has been used topically by nursing mothers for sore nipples, but no data exist on its safety or excretion into breastmilk [PMID:30000926]. There is concern that berberine can displace bilirubin from serum albumin, potentially causing brain damage in newborn infants; therefore, most sources recommend avoiding exposure of neonates to goldenseal via breastfeeding or otherwise [PMID:30000926].

Interactions médicamenteuses

Goldenseal is known to cause clinically important drug interactions [PMID:28762712]. It significantly inhibits human CYP3A activity in vivo [PMID:17495878] and inhibits various cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A) in vitro [PMID:22224048]. It may inhibit intestinal uptake transporters (OCT3, PMAT, THTR2), which was shown to decrease metformin systemic exposure in healthy adults [PMID:37562957].

Synthèse des preuves

Evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models, and a limited number of human clinical trials focusing on pharmacokinetic interactions and the effects of its primary alkaloid, berberine.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 27671811 (2016) — Berberine and Its Role in Chronic Disease. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology
2.PMID: 28762712 (2017) — Common Herbal Dietary Supplement-Drug Interactions. · American family physician
3.PMID: 30000926 (2006) — Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy? · Phytotherapy research : PTR
4.PMID: 10767672 (2000) — Berberine. · Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic
5.PMID: 30725649 (2026) — Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) and its active constituents: A critical review of their efficacy and toxicological issues. · Pharmacological research

Goldenseal

Sources et citations

Tea Tree

Oregano

Clove

⚠️ Non recommandé pendant la grossesse ou l'allaitement

2 interactions médicamenteuses connues — Certaines peuvent être graves

Contre-indications

Effets secondaires possibles

Qu'est-ce qu'une interaction plante-médicament ?

Interactions Médicamenteuses Connues (2)

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Grossesse et allaitement

Interactions médicamenteuses

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Goldenseal

Sources et citations

Plantes associées

Tea Tree

Oregano

Clove

⚠️ Non recommandé pendant la grossesse ou l'allaitement

2 interactions médicamenteuses connues — Certaines peuvent être graves

Contre-indications

Effets secondaires possibles

Qu'est-ce qu'une interaction plante-médicament ?

Interactions Médicamenteuses Connues (2)

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Grossesse et allaitement

Interactions médicamenteuses

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales