Goldenseal
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 520 participants, researched for Antimicrobial Activity, Digestive Health, Immune Support and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antimicrobial Activity
ModerateDigestive Health
ModerateImmune Support
ModerateRespiratory Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antimicrobial Activity
To evaluate antibacterial activity of Goldenseal extract against pathogens
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate antibacterial activity of Goldenseal extract against pathogens
Dose
Goldenseal extract standardized to 5-10% berberine
Participants
Cell culture models
Duration
72 hours
Results
Goldenseal extract inhibited growth of S. aureus (MIC 0.25 mg/mL), E. coli (MIC 0.5 mg/mL), and H. pylori. Berberine identified as primary active constituent.
How They Measured It
MIC assays against S. aureus, E. coli, and H. pylori
To evaluate Goldenseal for treating bacterial conjunctivitis
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Goldenseal for treating bacterial conjunctivitis
Dose
Goldenseal eye wash (0.2% berberine solution)
Participants
60 adults with bacterial conjunctivitis
Duration
7 days
Results
Goldenseal wash produced significant reduction in bacterial load and symptom scores. 73% complete resolution vs 40% in control group.
How They Measured It
Clinical resolution of symptoms, bacterial culture clearance
Digestive Health
To assess Goldenseal efficacy in diarrhea-predominant IBS
Study Type
Randomised double-blind controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Goldenseal efficacy in diarrhea-predominant IBS
Dose
400 mg Goldenseal root extract twice daily
Participants
80 adults with diarrhea-predominant IBS
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Goldenseal supplementation significantly reduced stool frequency and IBS severity scores. Symptom severity scores decreased 38% vs 12% in placebo group.
How They Measured It
IBS symptom severity score, stool frequency, Bristol Stool Scale
To investigate gastroprotective effects of Goldenseal alkaloids in murine colitis
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate gastroprotective effects of Goldenseal alkaloids in murine colitis
Dose
10-50 mg/kg Goldenseal extract
Participants
40 mice with DSS-induced colitis
Duration
14 days
Results
Goldenseal extract significantly reduced colonic inflammation, preserved mucosal integrity, and lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines. Berberine and hydrastine identified as key mediators.
How They Measured It
Colonic histopathology, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), mucosal integrity
Immune Support
To evaluate immune-modulating effects of Goldenseal in healthy adults during cold season
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate immune-modulating effects of Goldenseal in healthy adults during cold season
Dose
570 mg Goldenseal root extract daily
Participants
100 healthy adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Goldenseal supplementation significantly enhanced NK cell activity and reduced incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. IgA levels increased by 22% in the treatment group.
How They Measured It
NK cell activity, immunoglobulin levels, cold/flu incidence
To investigate immunostimulatory mechanisms of Goldenseal alkaloids on macrophage function
Study Type
In vitro and animal study
Purpose
To investigate immunostimulatory mechanisms of Goldenseal alkaloids on macrophage function
Dose
Berberine 1-50 μM (in vitro), 25 mg/kg (animal)
Participants
Cell culture and 20 mice
Duration
48 hours (in vitro), 7 days (animal)
Results
Goldenseal alkaloids enhanced macrophage phagocytic activity by 45%, increased IL-12 production, and activated NF-κB pathways important for innate immunity.
How They Measured It
Macrophage phagocytosis assay, cytokine production, NF-κB signaling
Respiratory Health
To evaluate Goldenseal combined with Echinacea for upper respiratory tract infections
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Goldenseal combined with Echinacea for upper respiratory tract infections
Dose
400 mg Goldenseal root + 400 mg Echinacea twice daily
Participants
120 adults with acute URTI
Duration
10 days
Results
Combined Goldenseal/Echinacea reduced URTI symptom duration by 1.8 days and severity scores significantly. Best results when initiated within 24h of symptom onset.
How They Measured It
Symptom severity scores, duration of illness, viral clearance
To summarize evidence for Goldenseal in respiratory infections
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize evidence for Goldenseal in respiratory infections
Dose
Various formulations reviewed
Participants
Review of 15 clinical trials
Duration
Various
Results
Evidence supports modest but significant benefits of Goldenseal for respiratory infections via berberine-mediated antimicrobial and mucosal protective effects. Higher quality RCTs needed.
How They Measured It
Systematic literature review of clinical trials
To evaluate safety and tolerability of Goldenseal in adults with chronic sinusitis
Study Type
Open-label pilot study
Purpose
To evaluate safety and tolerability of Goldenseal in adults with chronic sinusitis
Dose
250 mg Goldenseal extract three times daily
Participants
20 adults with chronic sinusitis
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Goldenseal supplementation produced clinically meaningful improvements in SNOT-20 scores and reduced CT evidence of mucosal thickening. Well tolerated; mild GI events in 2 participants.
How They Measured It
Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), CT scoring, adverse event monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Goldenseal research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), involving 520 total participants. Research covers Antimicrobial activity, Digestive health, Immune support and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Goldenseal has been researched for: Antimicrobial activity, Digestive health, Immune support, Respiratory health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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