Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis root. Root traditionally used in tea or tincture to treat inflamed mucous membranes of mouth, throat, digestive system, uterus, also used for jaundice, bronchitis, pharyngitis, gonorrhea. Tea (wash) a folk remedy for eye infections. Recent research suggests a synergistic action of the major alkaloids in producing muscle-spasm reducing activity. When any single alkaloid was removed from the mix, the effect was greatly lessened. A 1998 study suggests that Goldenseal may help against drug-resistant tuberculosis, one of today’s most lethal infectious bacterial diseases.
