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Goldenseal, Herbal Remedy for Skin diseases and ulcers. Possible remedy
against Vaginitis.
Goldenseal
is a plant that grows wild in parts of the United States but has become
endangered by over harvesting. With natural supplies dwindling, goldenseal is
now grown commercially across the United States, especially in the Blue Ridge
Mountains.
Common Names--goldenseal, yellow root
Latin Name--Hydrastis canadensis
- What Goldenseal Is Used For
- Historically, Native Americans
have used goldenseal for various health conditions such as skin diseases,
ulcers, and gonorrhea.
- Now, goldenseal is used for colds
and other respiratory tract infections, infectious diarrhea, eye infections,
and vaginitis (inflammation or infection of the vagina). It is occasionally
used to treat cancer.
- It is also applied to wounds and
canker sores, and is used as a mouthwash for sore gums, mouth, and throat.
- Try our Herbal Remedy and Herbal
Medicine:
- How Goldenseal Is Used
- The underground stems or roots of
goldenseal are dried and used to make teas, liquid extracts, and solid
extracts that may be made into tablets and capsules.
- Goldenseal is often combined with
echinacea in preparations that are intended to be used for colds.
- What the Science Says about
Goldenseal
- Few studies have been published on
goldenseal's safety and effectiveness, and there is little scientific
evidence to support using it for any health problem.
- Clinical studies on a compound
found in goldenseal, berberine, suggest that the compound may be beneficial
for certain infections--such as those that cause some types of diarrhea, as
well as some eye infections. However, goldenseal preparations contain only a
small amount of berberine, so it is difficult to extend the evidence about
the effectiveness of berberine to goldenseal.
- NCCAM is funding a study to
understand the mechanism by which berberine may act against tumors.
- Side Effects and Cautions of
Goldenseal
- Goldenseal is considered safe for
short-term use in adults at recommended dosages. Rare side effects may
include nausea and vomiting.
- There is little information about
the safety of high dosages or the long-term use of goldenseal.
- Although drug interactions have
not been reported, goldenseal may cause changes in the way the body
processes drugs, and could potentially increase the levels of many drugs.
However, a study of goldenseal and indinavir, a drug used to treat HIV
infection, found no interaction.
- Other herbs containing berberine,
including Chinese goldthread (Coptis trifolia) and Oregon grape (Mahonia
aquifolium), are sometimes substituted for goldenseal. These herbs may have
different effects, side effects, and drug interactions than goldenseal.
- Women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding should avoid using goldenseal. The berberine in the herb may
cause the uterus to contract, increasing the risk of premature labor or
miscarriage. Berberine may also be transferred through breast milk, causing
life-threatening liver problems in nursing infants.
- Goldenseal should not be given to
infants and young children.
- Tell your health care providers
about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full
picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure
coordinated and safe care.
What's an Herb? An herb is a plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential
therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and
roots. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that people take
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
Dietary supplement is a
product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino
acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for
dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.
To use an herbal product as safely as
possible:
-
Consult your doctor first
-
Do not take a bigger dose than the label
recommends
-
Take it under the guidance of a trained
medical professional
-
Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or
nursing
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Why should I use herbal products?
The decision to use herbs to improve your
health is, as with all health decisions, a personal one. There are, however,
many good reasons to consider herbal products to complement your own
health care methods. One of the best reason, however, may be the fact that
herbs and herbal products, continue to provide real health benefits while
maintaining a remarkable safety profile. Readily available natural
substances were the first medicines used by humans. Primitive and ancient
civilizations as well as contemporary cultures throughout the world have
always relied on herbs to provide the benefits that have been observed with
their use. In fact, the World Health Organization has estimated that 80
percent of the world's population continues to use traditional therapies, a
major part of which are derived from plants, as their primary health care
tools. In our own time and culture, most herbs are available in the form of
"herbal supplements." These products are found in the form of teas, tablets,
capsules, liquid extracts, and others. We now have ready access to products
that bring the herbal traditions from all over the world in a variety of
convenient forms. In addition, scientific inquiries continue to develop our
knowledge of the benefits of plants, and often validate the observations
made over the past centuries.
Are herbs safe?
Plants that enjoy broad culinary and
therapeutic usage are generally safe. We can flavor our food with any number
of herbs to make a meal more flavorful. We can appreciate a delicious cup of
peppermint leaf or ginger root tea, or benefit from the soothing properties
of marshmallow root or the bark of slippery elm. We can take an herbal
supplement containing dandelion root or saw palmetto berries, or any number
of the other herbs. Although allergies and reactions have been recorded for
a few herbs that are widely used in foods and supplements, such individual
concerns are also seen with many foods, and do not diminish the safety
profile of the many herbs that are generally recognized as safe. On the
other hand, and as everyone knows, there are any number of plants that are
highly toxic, even deadly. view
Vaginitis
What is vaginitis?
Vaginitis is a term for any infection or inflammation of the vagina.
What are the symptoms of vaginitis?
In general, vaginitis may cause itching, irritation, or abnormal vaginal discharge.
There are a several different kinds of vaginitis, each with their own causes and symptoms:
Candida or “yeast” infections – Yeast infections of the vagina are probably the most familiar form of
vaginitis. They occur when too much of the fungus Candida grows in the vagina. Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva (the area outside the vagina) to become itchy and red.
Bacterial vaginosis – Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. It is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that are usually present in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis will often cause a thin, milky discharge from the vagina that may have a “fishy” odor. Many women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms and only discover they have it during a routine gynecologic exam.
Trichomoniasis – Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a single-cell parasite. It can cause vaginal itching, burning, and soreness of the vagina and vulva, as well as burning during urination. Many women with trichomoniasis do not develop any symptoms.
Non-infectious vaginitis – This form of vaginitis is usually caused by an allergic reaction or irritation from vaginal sprays, douches, spermicidal products, soaps, detergents, or fabric softeners. It can cause burning, itching, or vaginal discharge even if there is no infection.
What are the treatments for vaginitis?
The key to treating vaginitis is knowing which kind you have. The treatment must be specific to the type of vaginitis present.
Yeast infections are usually treated with an anti-yeast cream or suppository placed inside the vagina. A health care provider can write a prescription for most yeast infection treatments.
Although you can also buy medicine to treat yeast infections over-the-counter, it is a good idea to see a health care provider the first time you have symptoms of a yeast infection. Because this medicine will not cure other types of
vaginitis, it is important to be sure you actually have a yeast infection before using these treatments.
Bacterial vaginosis is treated with an antibiotic that gets rid of the “bad” bacteria and leaves the “good” bacteria. There is no over-the-counter treatment for bacterial
vaginosis, so it is important to see your health care provider for a prescription.
Sexually transmitted forms of vaginitis need to be treated by a health care provider right away. It is important to avoid sexual contact until you have been treated to prevent spreading the infection. A woman’s sexual
partner(s) will need treatment as well.
Trichomoniasis and Chlamydia are both treated by antibiotics. Neither genital herpes nor HPV can be cured, but both can be controlled with the help of your health care provider and medications.
Non-infectious vaginitis can be treated by stopping the use of the product that caused the allergic reaction or irritation. Your health care provider may also be able to provide medicated cream to help reduce the symptoms until the reaction goes away.
It is important to remember that each type of vaginitis has a different treatment. Therefore it is very important to see a health care provider to be sure you are using the right treatment for your condition. Also, some kinds of vaginitis have no symptoms so it is important to have regular gynecologic exams.
Can I prevent vaginitis?
There are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting vaginitis.
If you often get yeast infections, you may want to avoid clothes that hold in heat and moisture, such as panty hose without a cotton lining, nylon panties, or tight jeans.
Avoid douches and vaginal sprays because they can kill “good” bacteria or cause irritation.
Practicing safe sex can help protect against sexually transmitted forms of
vaginitis.
Information gathered from the National Institute of Health
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