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Goldenseal And Cancer

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Goldenseal (Orange-root, Orangeroot; Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. The plant bears 2 palmate, hairy leaves with 5-7 double-toothed lobes and single, small, inconspicuous flowers with greenish white stamens in the late spring. It bears a single berry like a large raspberry with 10-30 seeds in the summer. 36

The Iroquois and Cherokee were among the first of the American tribes in the eastern United States to use this small perennial plant (Hydrastis canadensis) medicinally. They harvested its fleshy underground stems (rhizomes) and roots and used them to treat a variety of infections and other complaints, from insect bites and digestive upset to eye and skin ailments. By the nineteenth century, healers began to refer to this native wildflower (which resembles a buttercup) as goldenseal because the cuplike scars on its bright yellow rhizomes resembled the wax seals then used to close envelopes and certify documents. The plants colorful roots also provided dye for clothing. 38

Goldenseal root was used by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Iroquois, as a yellow dye and for health conditions ranging from topical inflammations, debility, cancer, and dyspepsia to whooping cough, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever and sour stomach. European settlers of the 18th century used a goldenseal root wash for eye inflammations. 37

Goldenseal root was used by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Iroqouis, as a yellow dye and for health conditions ranging from topical inflammations, debility, cancer, and dyspepsia to whooping cough, pneumonia, diarrhea, fever and sour stomach. European settlers of the 18th century used a goldenseal root wash for eye inflammations. 7

Goldenseal is a bitter herb related to the buttercup. It is native to the eastern United States, although it can be grown elsewhere. Goldenseal takes its name from the golden-yellow scars that appear at the top of the root when the stem is broken off, because they resemble an old-fashioned wax letter seal. The roots and rootstock (rhizomes) of the plant are used in herbal remedies. 1

Available scientific evidence does not support claims that goldenseal is effective in treating cancer or other diseases. Goldenseal can have toxic side effects, and high doses can cause death. Some supplements sold as goldenseal contain other herbs and compounds which may make their effects unpredictable. Two chemicals in the herb (berberine and hydrastine) have been studied for use as medical treatments. 1

Because Goldenseal is thought to increase the flow of digestive enzymes and is considered an effective herb for improving overall digestion and easing disorders of the digestive tract, including heartburn (particularly when it is associated with emotional tension), inflamed peptic ulcers, constipation and indigestion. Several early Native American tribes also used Goldenseal extensively for treating digestive problems. 21

Since herbs began to become popular again, from the 1970s onward, goldenseal has been among the most popular Native American herbs. It has been estimated that upwards of 250,000 pounds of goldenseal root is sold each year. Since herbs have made the jump from the health and natural food market to the mass market in the 1990s, goldenseal demand has increased dramatically. Most goldenseal is wild-harvested. Since demand has skyrocketed (and supplies dwindle) the price of goldenseal skyrockets too. On the wholesale level, in the early 1990s, goldenseal root could be purchased for as little as $8.00 to $11.00 a pound when purchasing large quantities. Last year it shot up to over $30.00 a pound. Now wholesale prices of goldenseal have topped $100.00 a pound. 4

Berberine, a chemical contained in goldenseal, is said to have the ability to fight off infection caused by some bacteria, fungi, and yeast, and can act as a mild sedative. Some claim that berberine is more effective than aspirin for reducing fevers. Another chemical in goldenseal, hydrastinine, is said to reduce blood pressure. Some people believe that goldenseal helps mask drugs in the urine so that they can�t be detected on drug screening tests. Available scientific evidence does not support these claims. 1

Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not use this herb as it may stimulate uterine contraction. Patients with high blood pressure should also avoid goldenseal. Three weeks on and three weeks off is a good routine for dosage. Do not eat the plant fresh, as it can irritate mucous tissues. 5

It’s a matter of supply and demand. Given the market scarcity of goldenseal coupled with high prices, some have said that goldenseal is becoming "endangered." Unfortunately, the word "endangered" which should be reserved for species in imminent danger of extinction, is thrown about as an ambiguous word applied to any plant for which there are conservation concerns. According to Chris Robbins, a biologist formerly with TRAFFIC North America, an arm of the World Wildlife Fund, the term endangered is over-used and inappropriately used in many contexts. 4

Traditionally, goldenseal has been used as an eyewash. Goldenseal tea, used as an eyewash, may soothe itchiness caused by some allergies. Berberine is a major alkaloid of goldenseal and is used in a commercial eye drop to reduce eye irritation.) Goldenseal has also been used as an astringent (contracts the tissues of the body), anti-catarrhal (helps the body remove excess mucous and catarrhal build-up), laxative and muscular stimulant. Goldenseal is also thought to be an oxytocic (stimulates uterine contractions), a bitter (stimulates particular organ systems to work more effectively) and a general tonic for the entire body. 41

Goldenseal has become a popular treatment for the common cold and upper respiratory tract infections, and is often added to echinacea in commercial herbal cold remedies. Animal and laboratory research suggests that the goldenseal component berberine has effects against bacteria and inflammation. However, due to the very small amount of berberine in most goldenseal preparations, it is unclear whether goldenseal contains enough berberine to have the same effects. 11

For centuries some Native American tribes have used goldenseal for medicinal purposes. It was taken as a stimulant and used for stomach ulcers. Mouth sores and irritated eyes were washed with goldenseal solutions. It was also used as a face paint and as a dye for clothing. The herb later became an important ingredient in American folk medicine. It was made into a tea to treat sores in the mouth and throat and as an eyewash. 1

Goldenseal is not endangered. However, the large increase in demand, has highlighted the need for more information on the plant’s distribution, biology, reproduction, and ultimately the need to develop commercially cultivated supplies of the herb to provide a growing domestic and international market. 4

The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.

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