New tincture ~ Hydrastis canadensis 🌿♡
Goldenseal has a long and esteemed history as a medicinal herb, particularly among the indigenous people of the north eastern United States.
It was widely used as an immune booster and for all manner of infections. With a long history of traditional use to treat a broad spectrum of infections, it is now known that Goldenseal contains the powerful plant alkaloid berberine.
Berberine has been shown to stimulate the immune system by activating the macrophages that devour harmful micro-organisms.
Additionally, berberine is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal and has been shown to inhibit the ability of bacteria to attach itself to human cells
Goldenseal is also classed as a “bitter herb”, bitters stimulate the production of enzymes and stomach acid, readying the digestive system for the optimum assimilation of nutrients from food consumed.
As well as stimulating digestive juices, Goldenseal has a balancing effect on the microbiome.
The active properties in Goldenseal, particularly its star phytonutrient “berberine”, make it also highly effective for protecting and supporting the heart.
And a clinical study published in 2001 found that berberine has anti-arrhythmic properties and was found to “prolong the duration of ventricular action potential."
With powerful antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, Goldenseal can be used to combat skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. It has also been found to be effective against herpes, ringworm, blisters and sores.
It didn't take us long, while studying and working with the green, to realize how extremely fortunate we are to have the plant kingdom as our kin.
The gifts they provide us with their medicine and wisdom is so vital and beautiful. ♡
It is important to mention that in the wild this is a rare and endangered plant in some regions due to over-harvesting. As such, we highly recommend that goldenseal be purchased and used consciously and with concern to its environmental vulnerability.
With that said, we now have a sustainably cultivated Goldenseal tincture available for our community. ♡