Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Chad Bradshaw
General Description
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Cultivated in North Americas wooded areas (New York, Missouri, Oregon,
Washington, Western Ontario)
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Knotty, yellow, small perennial plant
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Harvested for rhizome and root
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Early spring, 2 round leaves ending in a single green-white flower
Chemical Composition
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Active component: berberine (alkaloid) 0.5 - 6.0%
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Other components:
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berberastine (2-3%)
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canadine
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hydrastine (1.5-4%)
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meconin
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chlorogenic acid
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phytosterins and resins
History and Folk Use
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Used by Native Americans
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Clothes dye
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Inflammatory mucous membranes
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Ocular disorders
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Ulcers
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Arrow wounds
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War paint for face
Pharmacology of Berberine
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Antibiotic
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Immunostimulatory
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Anticonvulsant
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Sedative
Antibiotic Activity
Active against:
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Staphylococcus species
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Streptomyces species
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Chlamydia species
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Corynebacterium diptheria
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E. coli
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Salmonella typhi
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Vibrio Cholerae
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Diplococcus pneumoniae
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Pseudomonas species
Efficacy as an Antimicrobial
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Inhibition of Candida and pathogenic bacteria prevents the overgrowth of
yeast (a common side effect of antibiotic use)
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Inhibits adhesion of streptococci to host cells:
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Causes streptococci to lose lipoteichoic acid, which is responsible for adherence
of the bacteria to host tissues
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Prevents adhesion of fibronectin to streptococci
Other Actions
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Immunostimulatory
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Increases blood supply to spleen, which may promote optimal splenic activity
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Activates macrophages
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Fever-reducing
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Appears to do this by enhancing immune systems ability to handle pyrogenic
organisms
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Rat model: 3 x antipyretic effect of aspirin
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Anticancer Effects*
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Directly kills tumor cells
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Indirectly kills tumor cells by stimulating white blood cells
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In vitro studies showed average cell kill rate of 91%, over twice that of
BCNU (standard chemo agent for brain tumors)
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Rat studies showed 81% kill rate with 10 mg/kg berberine
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Combination with BCNU may be very effective
Clinical Applications
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Infectious diarrhea*
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Trachoma (ocular infection found in underdeveloped countries)*
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Liver Disorders*
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Stimulates secretion of bile and bilirubin
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Cancer*
Daily Dosage:
Based on Berberine content
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Dried root/Infusion: 2-4 grams
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Tincture (1:5): 6-12 mL
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Fluid Extract (1:1): 2-4 mL
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Solid extract (4:1 or 8-12% alkaloid content): 250 - 500 mg
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Mouthwash: 2 tsp (6g) herb + 1 cup water; use TID-QID
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Externally: 1 tsp root + 1 pint water; use as lotion
Toxicity
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Generally nontoxic at recommended dosages
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Not recommended for use during pregnancy because it stimulates the uterus
and may produce abortion or premature labor
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Eating fresh plant may produce ulcerations and inflammation of mucosal tissue
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Long-term use may weaken colonic bacterial flora
Clinical Trials:
Clinical Trial 1: Clinical Trial of Berberine
in Acute Watery Diarrhea
Methods:
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Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind
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Compared berberine(100mg qid), tetracycline (500 mg qid), and both agents
concurrently.
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Patients with cholera and treated with tetracycline or tetracycline + berberine
had less volume and frequency of diarrheal stools, shorter duration or diarrhea,
and smaller required volumes of fluid for rehydration.
Results:
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Cholera patients treated with berberine alone excreted more Vibria Cholerae
after 24 hours of treatment than patients treated with tetracycline with
or w/o berberine
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Neither agent had any benefit over placebo in non-cholera diarrhea.
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Researchers postulate that the dose of Berberine may have been subtherapeutic.
Clinical Trial 2: Clinical Trial of High-Dose Berberine and
Tetracycline in Cholera
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Follow-up to previous trial, researched and reported by the same authors.
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Compared effectiveness of tetracycline with and without berberine
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Dosage increased to 200 mg berberine (100 mg in previous trial)
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Found no significant difference in stool volume, # of motions, or duration
of diarrhea..
Clinical Trial 3: Randomized Controlled Trial of Berberine
Sulfate Therapy for Diarrhea Due to Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and
Vibrio Cholerae
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Patients infected with E. Coli received a single dose of either 400 mg berberine
or 100 mL of water (control).
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Mean stool volumes in treated patients were significantly less than those
of the controls.
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Diarrhea stopped in 42% of treated patients.
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Patients infected with cholera received either:
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400 mg berberine single dose
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1,200 mg berberine (400 mg q 8 h x 24 h) + 1 g tetracycline po single dose
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1 g tetracycline alone
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Placebo
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Patients who received a single 400 mg dose of berberine had a mean 8-hour
stool volume decrease from 2.79 L to 2.22 L.
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Patients treated with berberine 400 mg + tetracycline 1 g did not show a
significant reduction in stool output compared to patients treated with
tetracycline alone.
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Suggests that berberine antagonizes tetracycline.
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Results also suggest that berberine is effective and safe for diarrhea caused
by E. Coli but is only slightly effective against cholera.
Clinical Trial 4: Effect of Berberine Chloride Eye Drops on
Clinically Positive Trachoma Patients
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Trachoma: contagious disease of the conjunctive of the eye caused by Chlamydia
Trachomatis; characterized by inflammation, hypertrophy, and granules of
adenoid tissue.
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Major cause of blindness and impaired vision in underdeveloped countries.
Methods:
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Patients with active trachoma were given either:
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0.2 % berberine eye drops
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Berberine (0.2%) + sulphacetamide (20%) drops
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Sulphacetamide (20%) eye drops
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Two drops TID in each eye for 3 weeks.
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Patients evaluated after 8 weeks.
Results:
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Patients treated with only berberine showed negative conjunctival scrapings,
but infection disappeared gradually.
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Patients treated with berberine + sulphacetamide had best clinical improvement,
but scrapings returned to positive, and all patients relapsed.
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Patients treated with only sulphacetamide also had positive scrapings, and
some patients relapsed.
Conclusions:
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Suggests that berberine may be curative for trachoma, probably by stimulating
host defenses.
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Study included no placebo group, and sample sizes were small.
Conclusions from Clinical Trials
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Berberine may be useful in GI infections caused by E. Coli, however it does
not appear to be useful against Vibrio cholerae (cholera).
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Berberine may be useful in the treatment of trachoma.
References
Pizzorno & Murray. Hydrastis Canadensis, Berberis Vulgaris,
Berberis Aquifolium, and other Berberine-Containing Plants.
In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. Vol. 1.
Washington: John Bastyr College Publications, 1985.
Goldenseal. In: Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic
Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products
Press, 1994.
Goldenseal. In: Weiner's Herbals: The Guide to
Herb Medicine, California: Quantum Books, 1990.
Goldenseal. In: Alternative Medicine: The Definitive
Guide. Puyallup, WA: Future Medicine Pub., 1994.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis). The Alternative Health
& Medicine Encylopedia. New York: Gale Research, Inc.,
1995.
Babbar OP, Chhatwal VK, Ray IB, Mehra MK. Effect of berberine chloride
eye drops on clinically positive trachoma patients. Indian J Med
Res 1982 December; 76:pp 83-88.
Khin-Maung U, Myo-Khin, Nyunt-Nyunt-Wai, Aye Kyaw, Tin-U. Clinical
trial of berberine in acute watery diarrhoea. BMJ 1985 Dec 7; 291:
pp. 1601-1604.
Khin-Maung U, Myo-Khin, Nyunt-Nyunt-Wai, Aye Kyaw, Tin-U. Clinical
Trial of High-Dose Berberine and Tetracycline in Cholera. J Diarrhoeal
Dis Res 1987 Sep 5(3):184-187.
Mills, Simon Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. New
York: MJF Books, 1988.
Murray, Michael T. The Healing Power of Herbs. California:
Prima Publishing, 1995.
Murray, Michael T. et al. Naturopathy. Cothell, WA:
John Bastyr College Publications, 1985.
Ritchason, Jack. The Little Herb Encyclopedia, 3rd Ed. Utah:
Woodland Health Books, 1995.
Sollmann, T. A Manual of Pharmacology, 7th Ed. 1948.
http://www.egregore.com/herb/Goldenseal.htm
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