Goldenseal and Arthritis

Goldenseal is a perennial herb often claimed to have beneficial medicinal properties. For example, some people use the supplement to treat their arthritis. The supplement is also believed to be useful for the treatment of the following conditions:

Acne
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Colitis
Common cold or allergies (such as hay fever)
Dandruff
Diarrhea or constipation
Eczema
Excessive bleeding after childbirth
Excessive menstrual bleeding or painful menstrual periods
Gonorrhea
Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
Liver problems
Pneumonia, malaria, or other infections
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Stomach or intestinal ulcers
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Vaginal irritation or infection.

However, there is little high-quality evidence to show that goldenseal really works for many claimed uses. As is often the case with dietary supplements, some of the more outlandish claims about the health benefits of goldenseal should be viewed with skepticism (or at the very least, with caution), until more research is available.

(Click Does Goldenseal Work? for more information about arthritis and goldenseal, and to learn more about the scientific studies that have been conducted on the effectiveness of the supplement.)