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Botanical

Goldenseal

Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, is a North American plant with a yellow underground stem. It contains the alkaloid berberine.

Also listed as Hydrastis canadensis, Chinese Goldenseal, Golden Seal, Goldenseal Extract

Gut HealthImmune Support

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Gut healthSmallCNo linked study
Digestive sensitivityGut HealthSmallCNo linked study
Histamine & Immune BalanceImmune SupportSmallCNo linked study
Microbiome healthGut HealthSmallCNo linked study
Immune SupportSmallCNo linked study
InflammationSmallCNo linked study
Every rating with its studiesGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What is goldenseal?

Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, is a North American plant with a yellow underground stem. It contains berberine, but little may be absorbed when the whole herb is taken orally; findings about isolated berberine cannot simply be assigned to goldenseal. 1

Why people take it

Immune Support24.7%
Detox20.4%
Gut Health17%
Essential Health14.9%
Organ Function5.5%
Inflammation5.1%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is goldenseal a proven cold remedy?

Human evidence has not established a benefit for the common cold. Antimicrobial laboratory activity does not answer that question. 2

Is long-term daily use known to be safe?

No. NCCIH describes short-term research at around 3 g daily, while long-term safety remains uncertain. 1

Can babies be given goldenseal?

NCCIH advises against giving it to infants because berberine can be harmful to newborns. 1

Sources

  2. Goldenseal Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center