Common Name:   Goldenseal

Latin Name:   Hydrastis canadensis

Annual/Perennial:   Perennial

Sun/Shade:   Shade

Height/Width:   6-24 inches

Bloom Time:   Root is harvested after 4-5 years, in the fall

Zone:   4-7

Parts of Plant Used:   root, collected after at least 4 years growth, in autumn after the tops have died down. Remove the root buds for further propagaion before drying the remainder of the root stock.

Medicinal Benefits:   cure all, antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral, tonic, mucus membranes, diuretic, antiseptic, glandular system, nervine, uterine, digestion, improves the appetite, substitute for Quinine, malaria, fever, small pox, eye remedy, stomach, intestinal, wounds, oral infections, conjunctivitis, ulcers, diabetes, morning sickness, infections, bronchial, chronic alcoholism, inflammation, bladder problems, cancer, canker sores, colds, constipation, eczema, flu, glandular inflammation, gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, jaundice, ringworm, scarlet fever, skin diseases, open sores, spinal meningitis, stomach troubles, enlarged tonsils, typhoid fever, ulcers, Considered to be one of the best medicinal aids in the herbal kingdom.

Ways to Use:   decoction, elixir, infusion, powder, tincture, 

NOTE: Do NOT use if you are HYPOGLYCEMIC. May cause a drop in blood sugar.

Recipes:   Internal Dose – 1/4 teaspoon of the dried powdered root, mixed with honey, eaten 3x a day, before meals.

Skin Lotion – 1 teaspoon of powdered root, in 2 cups just under boiling purified water. Disolve and let stand until cool. Can use on Ringworm and Eczema. Can also drink as a tea sweetened with honey. A cupful can be taken while fasting.

Wounds – Sprinkle the dried powdered root directly on the wound. Cover with green leaf such as Cabbage leaf or Comfrey leaf and bind into place. Repeat as necessary.

Elixer – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (30-60 drops)   An Elixer is a sweetened preparation containing medicinal products in small amounts and is in alcohol. The alcohol extracts the medicinal qualities out of the plant and acts as a preservative. Apricot or Blackberry Brandy is often used in Elixers. Follow the tincture recipe below but use one of the brandies instead.

Infusion – 1-2 teaspoons 3-6x daily.

Tincture – 1/2 – 2 teaspoons.   Put 4 ounces of ground dried root or eight ounces of finely chopped fresh root into a glass bottle. Pour at least 16 ounces of Everclear Vodka or Apple Cider Vinegar over the root. Make sure the root material is completely submerged under the liquid. Tightly cap the bottle. Shake the bottle several times a day, for 10 days to 2 weeks. Strain the liquid through cheese cloth. Squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can. Bottle the liquid in a dark bottle. Write the name and date made on the bottle. Will store indefinitely.