Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

• Prevention of colds and flu
• Infections of the mucous membranes (bacterial and fungal), conjunctivitis, and GI infections associated with diarrhea, cirrhosis, gallbladder inflammation, and cancer
• Dysmenorrhea
• Topical: Eczema, acne, itching, wounds, herpes labialis

Contraindicated in:

• Pregnancy and lactation
• Newborns (causes kernicterus)
• Hypertension.

Use Cautiously in:

• Patients with diabetes (monitor for hypoglycemic effects)
• Epilepsy
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hyperbilirubinemia
• Large amounts considered toxic
• Large doses may interfere with B-vitamin metabolism
• Do not take for longer than 2 wk
• Inflammatory GI conditions.

GI: kernicterus (in newborns).

Natural-Drug Products:

• May ↑cyclosporine and digoxin levels.
• May ↑ levels of CYP 3A4 substrates includinglovastatin, sildenafil, and clarithromycin.

• Capsules: ^OTC;
• Dried root: ^OTC;
• Liquid extract (1:1 in 60% ethanol): ^OTC;
• Tincture (1:10 in 60% ethanol): ^OTC;

• PO (Adults): Dried root and rhizome: 0.5–1 g tid; liquid extract (1:1 in 60% ethanol): 0.3–1 mL tid; tincture (1:10 in 60% ethanol): 2–4 mL tid; capsule: 250–500 mg/day at first sign of cold or flu.
• Topical (Adults): Used as mouthwash 3–4 times daily or dried root mixed with water and used as a paste applied with a compress.

Eye balm, eye root, ground raspberry, Indian dye, Indian paint, Indian plant, jaundice root, orange root, turmeric root, warnera, wild curcuma, yellow puccoon, yellow root

• Hydrastine and berberine are the active compounds that exhibit in vitro uterine stimulant activity.
• Berberine may have antibacterial and amebicidal properties.
• High doses of hydrastine cause potential hypertensive effects and increased cardiac output.

• Antibacterial activity againstEscherichia coli.

Therapeutic Classification: antifungals, anti-infectives

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-life: Unknown.

• Warn patients with preexisting medical conditions not to take this herb without the advice of health care professional.
• Instruct patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring mental alertness until response to therapy is known.
• Warn patient that this herb is associated with excessive toxicity; therefore, some texts do not support its use for any reason.
• Instruct patient to consult health care professional before taking any Rx, OTC, or other herbal products concurrently with goldenseal.

GOL-den-seel