Research in Hydrastis Canadensis

Hydrastis Canadensis is the Botanical name of the Goldenseal also known as Orangeroot orYellow Paccoon. Goldenseal is a small perennial (long-life) herb belonging to the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, though its leaves and fruit somewhat resemble those of the Raspberry and the Rubus genus generally.

The goldenseal has a thick knotty,yellowish-brown rhizome that is approximately 5 centimeters long and 1centimeter thick with a lot of rootlets. This herb has a strong odor and bitter taste. It produces a fruit similar to the raspberry in appearance.

Distinguishing Features:

•Distinguished from otherRanunculaceae family members during anthesis (the flowering period of a plant) as it has only 2 simple, cauline leaves and solitary white flowers, which are missing petals.

•Flowers 8 to 18 cm wide with numerous white exserted stamens; sepals 3, dropping after the flower opens; petals absent.

•Red berries with 1 to 2 seeds per pistil, 5 to 8 mm.

•The characteristics related to leaf can be identified from it Basal leaf usually solitary and quickly deciduous; cauline leaves 2, alternate, near the summit, toothed, 5-lobed and with indentednerves, 3 to 10 cm when the flower opens, but expand to 25 to 30 cm.

Where it Lives:

In North America, the Goldensealoccurs throughout the eastern half. It is found from Vermont to Minnesota and ranging south to Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama. For the several portions of its occurring range, it is considered rare, including Ontario, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Vermont, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia, Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee, and Delaware.

Time period:

The properly blossoming of flowers occurs from approximately late April through early May. During the ripening period, its fruits first appear green and then ripen into a bright red aggregate of achenes. These are visible from mid to late season, about June to early August and maybe later in some localities, depending upon their climate.

Habitat:

Goldenseal is commonly an inhabitant of rich, shady, mesic southern forests, usually under a canopy of beech-sugar maple or oak-sugar maple in red color. Its most frequent occurrence is in the most microhabitats near vernal pools, along forested streams, and also in southern floodplain forests, often in clay loam, moist sandy loam, or even organic (muck) soils.

Harvesting instructions:

Roots of the Hydrastis Canadensis are harvested in the fall after the tops have died down. Usually, the harvesting begins 5 to 7 years from seeding or 4 to 6 years from planting rhizome pieces. Care must be observed when digging roots, the fibrous roots must be kept intact. The fork can be used to dig the small plots, however, a larger field requires a mechanical digger just like a modified potato, horseradish, or a bulb digger. The bed will reestablish itself, hence making the replanting in that area unnecessary, if enough fibrous roots are left behind. Per acre, the yield of Goldenseal depends on the production method and location and generally range from 800 to 3,000 pounds of dried root per acre.

Edible Status:

Its raspberry-like fruit is not edible. Its roots are, however, used to make tea.

Medicinal Use:

•Hydrastis Canadensis was used by the American natives in the history as a treatment for irritations and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts.

•Very commonly used for the eye infections and topically (related to body surfaces) for the skin.

•Goldenseal is also popular for its anti-microbial activity. Therefore, it has a long history of use for upper respiratory tract infections, vaginal infections, and infectious diarrhea.

•It has shown enhanced results when used in combination with other herbs. Using it in combination with Echinacea makes an effective treatment for some health disorders related to respiration, like bronchitis, stuffy noses, hayfever, and sinus problems. Also considered to be a good herbal remedy for symptoms of the flu and common cold.

•Also used to cleanse the body of toxins and help purify the kidneys and urinary tract, when used in combination with other herbs.

•Goldenseal has shown the ability to lower the blood sugar levels. This ability has increased its popularity as a natural anti-diabetic treatment as well.

•Along with other health benefits, it has also shown to raise the insulin production and lowers blood sugar levels. But such use must be monitored very closely because of the goldenseal’s tendency to the raise blood pressure, which is a common problem of diabetes.

•Yeast infection, athletes foot and skin irritations caused by fungi and bacteria such as acne and skin rashes can be treated effectively and in a more natural way with Goldenseal.

•Mouth ulcers like canker sores and other irritations to the mucous membranes of the mouth can also be treated effectively using this herb.

•Its positive effects on blood vessel tone make it very suitable for controlling the heavy menstrual bleeding and other kinds of internal bleeding. But it has been also used for external bleeding as well.