Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet - Milk Thistle

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb milk thistle—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Milk thistle is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. It has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for a variety of ailments, especially liver problems.

Common Names—milk thistle, Mary thistle, holy thistle. Milk thistle is sometimes called silymarin, which is actually a mixture of the herb’s active components, including silybinin (also called silibinin or silybin).

Latin Name—Silybum marianum

What It Is Used For
Milk thistle is believed to have protective effects on the liver and improve its function. It is typically used to treat liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), and gallbladder disorders. Treatment claims also include:

• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
• Reducing the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers

How It Is Used
Milk thistle is a flowering herb. Silymarin, which can be extracted from the seeds (fruit), is believed to be the biologically active part of the herb. The seeds are used to prepare capsules containing powdered herb or seed; extracts; and infusions (strong teas).

What the Science Says
• There have been some studies of milk thistle on liver disease in humans, but these have been small. Some promising data have been reported, but study results at this time are mixed.

• Although some studies conducted outside the United States support claims of oral milk thistle to improve liver function, there have been flaws in study design and reporting. To date, there is no conclusive evidence to prove its claimed uses.

• NCCAM is supporting a phase II research study to better understand the use of milk thistle for chronic hepatitis C. With the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NCCAM is planning further studies of milk thistle for chronic hepatitis C and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (liver disease that occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol).

• The National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Nursing Research are also studying milk thistle, for cancer prevention and to treat complications in HIV patients.

Side Effects and Cautions
• In clinical trials, milk thistle generally has few side effects. Occasionally, people report a laxative effect, upset stomach, diarrhea, and bloating.

• Milk thistle can produce allergic reactions, which tend to be more common among people who are allergic to plants in the same family (for example, ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, and daisy).

• It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including milk thistle. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Sources
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 21. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2000. 01-E024. Also accessible at Really Long Link

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:467-482. Accessed at http://www.dekker.com on August 22, 2005.

Milk thistle. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on August 22, 2005.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), silymarin. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at
http://www.naturalstandard.com on August 22, 2005.

Milk thistle fruit. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins:2000;257-263.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hepatitis C and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 2003 Update. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at Really Long Link on August 22, 2005.

This document is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Herbal Fact Sheet - Licorice

ABOVE: Botanical illustration of licorice root

This fact sheet provides basic information about licorice root—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Most licorice is grown in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. Licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin (or glycyrrhizic acid).

Common Names—licorice root, licorice, liquorice, sweet root, gan zao (Chinese licorice)

Latin Names—Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice)

What It Is Used For
Licorice root has been used as a dietary supplement for stomach ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throat, as well as infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis.

How It Is Used
• Peeled licorice root is available in dried and powdered forms.

• Licorice root is available as capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts.

• Licorice can be found with glycyrrhizin removed; the product is called DGL (for “deglycyrrhizinated licorice”).

What the Science Says
• A review of several clinical trials found that glycyrrhizin might reduce complications from hepatitis C in some patients. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm that glycyrrhizin has this effect.

• There are not enough reliable data to determine whether licorice is effective for stomach ulcers.

Side Effects and Cautions
• In large amounts, licorice containing glycyrrhizin can cause high blood pressure, salt and water retention, and low potassium levels, which could lead to heart problems. DGL products are thought to cause fewer side effects.

• The safety of using licorice as a supplement for more than 4 to 6 weeks has not been thoroughly studied.

• Taking licorice together with diuretics (water pills) or other medicines that reduce the body’s potassium levels could cause dangerously low potassium levels.

• People with heart disease or high blood pressure should be cautious about using licorice.

• When taken in large amounts, licorice can affect the body’s levels of a hormone called cortisol and related steroid drugs, such as prednisone.

• Pregnant women should avoid using licorice as a supplement or consuming large amounts of licorice as food, as some research suggests it could increase the risk of preterm labor.

• Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including licorice root. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Sources
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hepatitis C and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 2003 Update. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at Really Long Link on May 30, 2006.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:391-399.

Licorice. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on May 30, 2006.

Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). MedlinePlus Web site. Accessed at http://medlineplus.gov on May 30, 2006.

Licorice root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:233-239.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Herbal Fact Sheet - Lavender

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb lavender—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region. It was used in ancient Egypt as part of the process for mummifying bodies. Lavender’s use as a bath additive originated in Persia, Greece, and Rome. The herb’s name comes from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash.”

Common Names—lavender, English lavender, garden lavender

Latin Name—Lavandula angustifolia

What It Is Used For
• Historically, lavender was used as an antiseptic and for mental health purposes.

• Today, the herb is used for conditions such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and depression.

• Lavender is also used for headache, upset stomach, and hair loss.

How It Is Used
• Lavender is most commonly used in aromatherapy, in which the scent of the essential oil from the flowers is inhaled.

• The essential oil can also be diluted with another oil and applied to the skin.

• Dried lavender flowers can be used to make teas or liquid extracts that can be taken by mouth.

What the Science Says
• There is little scientific evidence of lavender’s effectiveness for most health uses.

• Small studies on lavender for anxiety show mixed results.

• Some preliminary results indicate that lavender oil, combined with oils from other herbs, may help with hair loss from a condition called alopecia areata.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Topical use of diluted lavender oil or use of lavender as aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults. However, applying lavender oil to the skin can cause irritation.

• Lavender oil is poisonous if taken by mouth.

• When lavender teas and extracts are taken by mouth, they may cause headache, changes in appetite, and constipation.

• Using lavender with sedative medications may increase drowsiness.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Lavender. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on December 28, 2006.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at
http://www.naturalstandard.com on December 28, 2006.

Lavender flower. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:226-229.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Herbal Fact Sheet - Kava

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb kava—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and is a member of the pepper family.

Common Names—kava kava, awa, kava pepper

Latin Name—Piper methysticum

What It Is Used For• Kava has been used as a ceremonial beverage in the South Pacific for centuries.

• Kava has also been used to help people fall asleep and fight fatigue, as well as to treat asthma and urinary tract infections.

• Topically (on the skin), kava has been used as a numbing agent.

• Today, kava is used primarily for anxiety, insomnia, and menopausal symptoms.

How It Is Used
The root and rhizome (underground stem) of kava are used to prepare beverages, extracts, capsules, tablets, and topical solutions.

What the Science Says
• Although scientific studies provide some evidence that kava may be beneficial for the management of anxiety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that using kava supplements has been linked to a risk of severe liver damage.

• Kava is not a proven therapy for other uses.

• NCCAM-funded studies on kava were suspended after the FDA issued its warning.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Kava has been reported to cause liver damage, including hepatitis and liver failure (which can cause death).

• Kava has been associated with several cases of dystonia (abnormal muscle spasm or involuntary muscle movements).

• Kava may interact with several drugs, including drugs used for Parkinson's disease.

• Long-term and/or heavy use of kava may result in scaly, yellowed skin.

• Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery while taking kava because the herb has been reported to cause drowsiness.

• Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including kava. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Sources
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Kava Linked to Liver Damage. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at Really Long Link on March 30, 2006.

Kava. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on March 30, 2006.

Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forst). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on March 30, 2006.

Kava kava rhizome (root). In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:221-225.

Kava (Piper methysticum). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:373-380.

Pittler MH, Ernst E. Kava extract versus placebo for treating anxiety. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2003. Accessed at http://www.cochrane.org on April 25, 2006.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Herbal Fact Sheet - Hoodia

ABOVE: Botanical image of hoodia

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb hoodia—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hoodia is a flowering, cactus-like plant native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Its harvest is protected by conservation laws.

Common Names—hoodia, Kalahari cactus, Xhoba

Latin Name—Hoodia gordonii

What It Is Used For
• Kalahari Bushmen have traditionally eaten hoodia stems to reduce their hunger and thirst during long hunts.

• Today, hoodia is marketed as an appetite suppressant for weight loss.

How It Is Used
• Dried extracts of hoodia stems and roots are used to make capsules, powders, and chewable tablets. Hoodia can also be used in liquid extracts and teas.

• Hoodia products often contain other herbs or minerals, such as green tea or chromium picolinate.

What the Science Says
There is no reliable scientific evidence to support hoodia’s use. No studies of the herb in people have been published.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Hoodia’s safety is unknown. Its potential risks, side effects, and interactions with medicines and other supplements have not been studied.

• The quality of hoodia products varies widely. News reports suggest that some products sold as hoodia do not contain any hoodia.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Hoodia. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on May 16, 2007.

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on May 16, 2007.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Take care,
Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet - Horse Chestnut

This fact sheet provides basic information about horse chestnut—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Horse chestnut trees are native to the Balkan Peninsula (for example, Greece and Bulgaria), but grow throughout the northern hemisphere. Although horse chestnut is sometimes called buckeye, it should not be confused with the Ohio or California buckeye trees, which are related but not the same species.

Common Names—horse chestnut, buckeye, Spanish chestnut

Latin Name—Aesculus hippocastanum

What It Is Used For
• For centuries, horse chestnut seeds, leaves, bark, and flowers have been used for a variety of conditions and diseases.

• Horse chestnut seed extract has been used to treat chronic venous insufficiency (a condition in which the veins in the legs do not efficiently return blood to the heart). This condition is associated with varicose veins, pain, ankle swelling, feelings of heaviness, itching, and nighttime leg cramping.

• The seed extract has also been used for hemorrhoids.

How It Is Used
Horse chestnut seed extract standardized to contain 16 to 20 percent aescin (escin), the active ingredient, is the most commonly used form. Topical preparations have also been used.

What the Science Says
• Small studies have found that horse chestnut seed extract is beneficial in treating chronic venous insufficiency and is as effective as wearing compression stockings.

• There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of horse chestnut seed, leaf, or bark for any other conditions.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Homemade preparations of horse chestnut should not be used. Raw horse chestnut seeds, leaves, bark, and flowers contain esculin, which is poisonous.

• When properly processed, horse chestnut seed extract contains little or no esculin and is considered generally safe. However, the extract can cause some side effects, including itching, nausea, or gastrointestinal upset.

• Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including horse chestnut. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Sources
Horse chestnut. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on May 3, 2006.

Horse chestnut. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on May 3, 2006.

Horse chestnut seed extract. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:201-204.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet - Hawthorn

This fact sheet provides basic information about hawthorn—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hawthorn is a spiny, flowering shrub or small tree of the rose family. The species of hawthorn discussed here are native to northern European regions and grow throughout the world.

Common Names—hawthorn, English hawthorn, harthorne, haw, hawthorne

Latin Names—Crataegus laevigata (also known as Crataegus oxyacantha), Crataegus monogyna

What It Is Used For
• Hawthorn fruit has been used for heart disease since the first century. It has also been used for digestive and kidney problems.

• More recently, hawthorn leaf and flower have been used for heart failure, a weakness of the heart muscle that prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to the rest of the body, which can lead to fatigue and limit physical activities.

• Hawthorn is also used for other heart conditions, including symptoms of coronary artery disease (such as angina).

How It Is Used
The hawthorn leaf and flower are used to make liquid extracts, usually with water and alcohol. Dry extracts can be put into capsules and tablets.

What the Science Says
• There is scientific evidence that hawthorn leaf and flower are safe and effective for milder forms of heart failure.

• There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether hawthorn works for other heart problems.

• NCCAM is supporting research studying the mechanisms by which hawthorn may affect heart failure.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Hawthorn is considered safe for most adults when used for short periods of time. Side effects are usually mild and can include upset stomach, headache, and dizziness.

• Drug interactions with hawthorn have not been thoroughly studied. It was once thought that hawthorn interacted with the heart medicine digoxin. However, a very small study in people without heart conditions found no interaction, but evidence is limited.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Busse WR, Juretzek W, Koch E. Hawthorn (Crataegus). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:337-347.

De Smet PA. Herbal Remedies. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;347(25):2046-2056.

Hawthorn. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on December 5, 2006.

Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata, C. oxyacantha, C. monogyna, C. penagyna). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on December 5, 2006.

Hawthorn. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:182-191.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet - Green Tea

This fact sheet provides basic information about green tea—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. All types of tea (green, black, and oolong) are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed to produce green tea.

Common Names—green tea, Chinese tea, Japanese tea

Latin Name—Camellia sinensis

What It Is Used For
• Green tea and green tea extracts, such as its component EGCG, have been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach, and skin cancers.

• Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage.

How It Is Used
Green tea is usually brewed and drunk as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in capsules and are sometimes used in skin products.

What the Science Says
• Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown mixed results.

• Some evidence suggests that the use of green tea preparations improves mental alertness, most likely because of its caffeine content. There are not enough reliable data to determine whether green tea can aid in weight loss, lower blood cholesterol levels, or protect the skin from sun damage.

• NCCAM is supporting studies to learn more about the components in green tea and their effects on conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Green tea is safe for most adults when used in moderate amounts.

• Green tea and green tea extracts contain caffeine. Caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination in some people. Caffeine can also raise blood pressure, and in very high doses, it can cause seizures, delirium, or irregular heart rhythms.

• Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective.

• Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including green tea. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

Sources
Green tea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on May 1, 2006.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on May 1, 2006.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet - Grape Seed

This fact sheet provides basic information about grape seed extract—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The grape seeds used to produce this extract are generally obtained from wine manufacturers.

Common Name—grape seed extract

Latin Name—Vitis vinifera

What It Is Used For
• Grape seed extract is used for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor circulation.

• Other reasons for the use of grape seed extract include complications related to diabetes, such as nerve and eye damage; vision problems, such as macular degeneration (which can cause blindness); and swelling after an injury or surgery.

• Grape seed extract is also used for cancer prevention and wound healing.

How It Is Used
Grape seed extract is prepared from the seed of grapes. It is available in capsule and tablet forms.

What the Science Says
• Laboratory studies have shown that grape seed contains antioxidants—substances that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can damage cell function. However, it is still unclear how grape seed might affect human health.

• Grape seed extracts have shown some beneficial antioxidant effects in preliminary clinical trials. However, few trials have looked at specific diseases or conditions, and little scientific evidence is available.

• A study funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that grape seed extract did not reduce the hardening of breast tissue that can occur after radiation therapy for breast cancer.

• NCI is also funding studies evaluating whether grape seed extract is effective in preventing breast and prostate cancers.

• NCCAM is studying whether the action of grape seed extract and its components may benefit the heart or have protective effects in the brain.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Grape seed extract is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth. It has been used safely for up to 8 weeks in clinical trials.

• Side effects that have been reported most often include headache; a dry, itchy scalp; dizziness; and nausea.

• The interactions between grape seed extract and medicines or other supplements have not
been carefully studied.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Brooker S, Martin S, Pearson A, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase II trial of IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) in patients with radiation-induced breast induration. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2006;79(1):45-51.

Clouatre DL, Kandaswami C. Grape seed extract. In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:309-325.

Grape. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on March 13, 2007.

Grape seed (Vitis vinifera, Vitis coignetiae). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on March 13, 2007.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet - Goldenseal

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb goldenseal—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Goldenseal is a plant that grows wild in parts of the United States but has become endangered by overharvesting. With natural supplies dwindling, goldenseal is now grown commercially across the United States, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Common Names—goldenseal, yellow root

Latin Name—Hydrastis canadensis

What It Is Used For
• Historically, Native Americans have used goldenseal for various health conditions such as skin diseases, ulcers, and gonorrhea.

• Now, goldenseal is used for colds and other respiratory tract infections, infectious diarrhea, eye infections, and vaginitis (inflammation or infection of the vagina). It is occasionally used to treat cancer.

• It is also applied to wounds and canker sores, and is used as a mouthwash for sore gums, mouth, and throat.

How It Is Used
• The underground stems or roots of goldenseal are dried and used to make teas, liquid extracts, and solid extracts that may be made into tablets and capsules.

• Goldenseal is often combined with echinacea in preparations that are intended to be used for colds.

What the Science Says
• Few studies have been published on goldenseal’s safety and effectiveness, and there is little scientific evidence to support using it for any health problem.

• Clinical studies on a compound found in goldenseal, berberine, suggest that the compound may be beneficial for certain infections—such as those that cause some types of diarrhea, as well as some eye infections. However, goldenseal preparations contain only a small amount of berberine, so it is difficult to extend the evidence about the effectiveness of berberine to goldenseal.

• NCCAM is funding a study to understand the mechanism by which berberine may act against tumors.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Goldenseal is considered safe for short-term use in adults at recommended dosages. Rare side effects may include nausea and vomiting.

• There is little information about the safety of high dosages or the long-term use of goldenseal.

• Although drug interactions have not been reported, goldenseal may cause changes in the way the body processes drugs, and could potentially increase the levels of many drugs. However, a study of goldenseal and indinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection, found no interaction.

• Other herbs containing berberine, including Chinese goldthread (Coptis trifolia) and Oregon ggrape (Mahonia aquifolium), are sometimes substituted for goldenseal. These herbs may hhave different effects, side effects, and drug interactions than goldenseal.

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using goldenseal. The berberine in the herb may cause the uterus to contract, increasing the risk of premature labor or miscarriage. Berberine may also be transferred through breast milk, causing lifethreatening liver problems in nursing infants.

• Goldenseal should not be given to infants and young children.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:297-308.

Goldenseal. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on December 6, 2006.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.), Berberine. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on December 8, 2006.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

Take care,
The Backyard Diva