Golden Seal RootGolden seal is a perennial herb native to Southeastern Canada and Northeastern United States, the medicinal herb is a member of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It can be distinguished by its yellow and thick rootstock and a purplish stem which is also hairy. The herb blooms flowers with stamens that are greenish white. Its leaves are hairy with double-toothed lobes. The plant also has two palmate and a single berry similar to a big raspberry. Inside the berry are seeds numbering up to 30. In alternative medicine, the perennial herb has properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, anti-microbial, laxative, bitter, emmenagogue, alterative, and oxytocic. It is used for multi-purpose remedy as it has several different medicinal properties. Its anti-microbial property makes the golden seal a good topical treatment. It can also be consumed orally to aid digestive problems and to remove canker sores during gargling. Like a few herbs, it can also be combined with other herbs. Also known as yellow root, orange root, puccoon, ground raspberry, and wild curcuma, the herb is also used by Native Americans to treat their skin diseases, diarrhea, eye-irritation, and liver conditions. In the early colonial medical care, the goldenseal had also been used by the European settlers as learned from Iroquois and other tribes. In as early as the 1800s, the charismatic herbalist Samuel Thompson used the yellow root to cure several conditions. It was preached by Thompson as a magical cure. Hence, its demand increased dramatically. Several years later, the fame of this herb had spread, while its supply decreased, thereby, making its prices to skyrocket. Today, herbal supplements from the wild curcuma are available in several forms including cream for treatment of skin wounds, nutritional supplements, powder, tincture, salve, tablet, and bulk powder. The tincture is used as a mouthwash to treat sore throats and other mouth sores. It can also be used to prepare for a tea. Because it is bitter and anti-microbial, it is used as an expectorant to fight off bacteria, fungi like E.coli and Candida; and yeast. The golden seal root can also enhance the secretion and flow of bile. Patients with infections of mucus membranes, sinuses, mouth, intestines, urinary tract and vagina, and stomach can find relief from this herb. At the present, the herb is said to be in danger because of over harvesting. Each year, more than 60 million plants are harvested for herbal applications. In addition, the mining, the mountain top removal in particular puts the herb population at a major disadvantage as the plant can lose its natural habitat. Golden Seal BenefitsNormally, people use over-the-counter drugs for most of their health conditions. This is mainly because they want quick results and do not know of some other treatment solutions available.If you are sick and in pain, there are many herbal remedies from plant extracts that give effective results. The popular herb is one beneficial alternative for the treatment of certain health conditions. It is quite popular for alleviating gallbladder and intestinal infection. It also relieves mucous membrane inflammation. Included in the golden seal benefits is the relief of some respiratory infections especially in their initial stage. Through its conducive properties, the immune system of the person strengthens. This in turn, shortens the progress of illnesses and diseases. Moreover, possible health benefits of the herb include providing relief for itching, eczema, conjunctivitis, GI disorders, dysmenorrheal, anorexia, postpartum hemorrhage, tuberculosis, gastritis, mouth ulcers, peptic ulcer disease, tinnitus, otorrhea, and cancer. The herb serves as a laxative to regulate bowel movement and relieve constipation. It acts as a diuretic which is also called as water pill. Such diuretic drug that contains golden seal helps remove the excess water from the body by intensifying the volume of urine. It is also used as an antiseptic for wounds, since antiseptics are best known to kill microorganisms in the outer surface of the skin. In addition, the herb has anti-inflammatory qualities that are efficient in alleviating pain. Golden seal has an equally famous herb, which is the Echinacea. These two actually work together against infections as well as accelerate the healing of wounds. This Golden seal and Echinacea combination really works differently and favorably for the user. The Echinacea promotes the activity of the white blood cells as a way to boost the immune system. On the other hand, the golden seal is an excellent antibacterial agent. It can be applied topically on wounds. But, it can also be taken internally to ease intestinal and stomach problems such as diarrhea. Several studies have proven that the active ingredients are generally safe. However, just like with other therapeutic herbs, it is always recommended to ask your doctor before trying the herb. Although they are natural, you would not want to get negative effects from such herbs. The individuals that should avoid ingesting this herb are the pregnant women. Those with heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmias, and CV disease should also refrain from using this beneficial herb. Similar Posts
_________________________________________________________________ Top of Golden Seal Listed under Growing Herbs |