What are the possible side effects of Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadenis)?
Goldenseal is rarely reported to cause nausea, vomiting, breathing failure or a feeling of numbness in the arms or legs. Large doses of goldenseal may cause mucus membrane irritation and worsening or stomach ulcers. Goldenseal used on the skin may cause irritation or ulcers. Possible effects of berberine, a chemical found in small amounts in goldenseal, include headache, slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and low white blood cell count. It is not clear if the amount of berberine in goldenseal products is enough to cause these reactions. Toxic doses of berberine may cause seizures or irritation of the esophagus and stomach when taken by mouth. Berberine used intravenously (through the veins) may cause abnormal heart rhythms. Berberine may increase blood concentrations of bilirubin. Berberine theoretically may cause low blood pressure, although a different chemical in goldenseal, hydrastine, may actually cause increased blood pressure. Goldenseal or berberine could in
