Evidence supporting the use of: Goldenseal
For the health condition: Gonorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has a long history of traditional use among Native American tribes and early herbalists in North America for various infections, including gonorrhea. Its use was primarily based on the belief that goldenseal possesses strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, largely attributed to its key alkaloid, berberine. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, goldenseal was commonly recommended by herbal practitioners for a variety of mucous membrane infections, including those of the genitourinary tract such as gonorrhea, before the advent of antibiotics. However, while laboratory studies have shown berberine to have some antibacterial activity, there is a lack of robust clinical evidence specifically supporting goldenseal's effectiveness against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea. Modern medical literature does not support the use of goldenseal as a reliable or effective treatment for gonorrhea, and it should not be used as a substitute for proven antibiotic therapies. The rating of 1 reflects the strong tradition of use, but a near absence of modern scientific validation for this specific condition.

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