Natural Medical SolutionsGoldenseal is a plant from North America. It is sold as a supplement for colds and other health issues. There is not enough evidence to know if it works for any condition.
What is goldenseal?
Goldenseal is a plant with a bright yellow root. It is rare in the wild and costly to grow. Native Americans used it for skin wounds, eye issues, and digestion.
Today, people use it for colds, hay fever, and stomach problems. It is sold as a dietary supplement. The FDA does not approve supplements for safety before they are sold.
What are the benefits of goldenseal?
There is no proof that goldenseal helps any health problem. No high-quality studies exist to show its effects on people.
Some people study a substance in goldenseal called berberine. However, your body may not absorb much berberine when you take the whole plant. This means those studies may not apply to goldenseal.
What are the side effects of goldenseal?
Small studies show that 3 grams per day for a short time may be safe. We do not know if it is safe to take for a long time.
Some products may contain other ingredients not listed on the label. Always check with your doctor before you use any herbal product.
Who should not take goldenseal?
Certain people must avoid goldenseal for safety reasons. Do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It should never be given to infants. The berberine in the plant can be very harmful to newborns.
Does goldenseal interact with any medications?
Goldenseal can change how your body processes many medicines. This can lead to harmful results.
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you take. They can check for risks before you start a new supplement.
Does Goldenseal interact with any medications?
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking goldenseal if you take any prescription medicine. The list below is not complete.
Goldenseal can lower the levels of metformin in your body by about 25 percent. This may make it harder to control your blood sugar if you have type 2 diabetes.
Common questions about goldenseal
Is goldenseal approved by the FDA?
Can I take goldenseal if I am pregnant?
Does goldenseal help with colds?
Is it safe to give goldenseal to a baby?
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Where this information comes from
Written from NCCIH, a public-domain resource from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Information retrieved 2026-08-21.
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