Evidence supporting the use of: Goldenseal
For the health condition: Blood Poisoning

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Synopsis

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

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and later in 19th-century Western herbalism. It was employed for a variety of infections and inflammatory conditions, including as a topical antiseptic and internal remedy for infectious diseases. The term "blood poisoning" historically referred to conditions such as sepsis or systemic infections, for which goldenseal was sometimes recommended by herbalists. The rationale was primarily based on its perceived "blood purifying" and antimicrobial properties, attributed to its active constituents, such as berberine.

However, while goldenseal does exhibit antimicrobial effects in vitro, there is no robust clinical evidence supporting its use for sepsis or "blood poisoning" in modern medicine. The traditional use of goldenseal for systemic infections was based on empirical observations and anecdotal reports rather than controlled studies. Modern research has not validated goldenseal as an effective or safe treatment for sepsis, and it is not recommended for this purpose by medical authorities. The evidence supporting its use for blood poisoning is therefore rated as weak (1/5), stemming mostly from traditional use rather than scientific validation.

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