Hydrastis canadensis

Preparations and Derivatives. 1. Specific Medicine Hydrastis. Dose, 1 to 30 drops.

Action and Therapy. - Without question it is our best single drug for chronic gastric catarrh, or so-called chronic gastritis. In that form due to alcoholic abuse, in which occurs the morning vomiting of drunkards, with disgust for food and craving for stimulants, hydrastis, with or without capsicum and nux vomica, gives incomparable results.

The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D. (1922)

What the Science Says

Few studies have been published on goldenseal's safety and effectiveness, and there is little scientific evidence to support using it for any health problem.

Clinical studies on a compound found in goldenseal, berberine, suggest that the compound may be beneficial for certain infections - such as those that cause some types of diarrhea, as well as some eye infections. However, goldenseal preparations contain only a small amount of berberine, so it is difficult to extend the evidence about the effectiveness of berberine to goldenseal.

NCCAM is funding research on berberine, including a study to understand the mechanism by which it may act against tumors.