Evidence supporting the use of: Goldenseal
For the health condition: Eye Infections

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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 Western herbalism. It was commonly prepared as an eyewash or topical solution for a variety of eye ailments, including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and minor eye infections. The rationale behind its use stems from goldenseal’s content of berberine, an alkaloid with demonstrated antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies. Traditional practitioners believed this antimicrobial effect could help reduce infection and inflammation in the eyes.

However, while berberine does exhibit antibacterial properties in vitro, there is little to no direct clinical evidence supporting the efficacy or safety of goldenseal for treating eye infections in humans. Modern medical literature does not validate its use for ocular conditions, and there are safety concerns about applying herbal extracts directly to the eyes, as this can potentially cause irritation or toxicity. Therefore, goldenseal’s use for eye infections is primarily justified by tradition, not by rigorous scientific validation. The evidence rating is low (1 out of 5) due to the lack of quality clinical trials and the reliance on historical rather than scientific support.

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