Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native Americans and later among European settlers in North America. Traditionally, goldenseal was used for a variety of ailments, including infections, digestive issues, and as a topical antiseptic. One of its main alkaloids, berberine, has been shown in laboratory studies to possess broad antimicrobial properties, including some activity against fungi such as Candida species. However, these results are primarily from in vitro (test tube) experiments, and there is a lack of robust clinical trials in humans evaluating goldenseal’s effectiveness for treating fungal infections specifically.

While goldenseal is sometimes recommended in herbal medicine for mild fungal infections—such as athlete’s foot or yeast overgrowth—this use is primarily based on tradition and extrapolation from laboratory studies, rather than direct clinical evidence. The available scientific data are limited and do not provide enough support to consider goldenseal as a proven antifungal agent. As such, goldenseal’s use for fungal infections should be regarded as supported mainly by traditional use rather than validated by modern clinical science. Anyone considering goldenseal for fungal infections should consult a healthcare professional, as it may interact with medications and is not suitable for all individuals.

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