Golden Seal - Unique Herbal Supplement

Golden Seal is one of the most bitter of herbal supplements. As such, herbalists would immediately expect this popular herb to help the digestion - as 'bitters' do.

Golden Seal has an affinity for the mucous membranes and, as these membranes line the digestive tract, as well as the lungs and parts of the kidney system, Golden Seal can help all these areas.  

Golden Seal is a traditional remedy of the American Indians. At the time of the European conquest of America it spread to Europe. It is used goday for anti-catarrhal, anti inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, bitter tonic, laxative, and muscular stimulants. Herbalists say that if you are trying to ease gastritis, colitis, duodenal ulcers, loss of appetite, and liver disease, consider Golden Seal. 

Golden Seal is a perennial herbal supplement that is part of the Buttercup family. Golden Seal is used for a lot of medicinal purposes in a variety of ways both topically as well as internally. There are actually quite a few ways to purchase Golden Seal, in a bulk powder, salve, tincture, or a tablet. Internally it is a great digestion aid and if gargled with it has been known to remove canker sores.

Golden Seal is now threatened because this herbal supplement is one of the most over harvested of herbs. It keeps getting harvested and harvested but never replaced. It is difficult to cultivate, which exacerbates the problem. Golden Seal which also goes by the name Yellow Root is often combined with Echinacea and prepared for easing the symptoms of colds. It is the underground root of Golden Seal that is harvested and dried to make teas (very bitter though) and liquid and solid extracts, or used as powder in capsules or tablets.

Berberine is thought to be a major 'active' ingredient of Golden Seal. This is also present in Barberry, or Berberis Vulgaris, and so Barberry can double for Golden Seal in many cases - and it is much, much less costly.

Although a very controversial subject, many people believe that the reason that Golden Seal is standing solid ground in the marketplace is because it is used primarily for the purpose of masking positive drug screens for people who are required to take drug tests for work or through law enforcement agencies. Many claims there is no validity to this claim but still many people are buying it because a friend told them that it worked and for that matter it is promoted in High Times magazine for the sole purpose of covering bogus drug screens.

The claim is that because THC which is the active ingredient in marijuana is fat soluble it stores itself in the kidneys and becomes water soluble. Two to three days prior to a drug screen, you get some Golden Seal, follow the directions and it's a guaranteed pass. Probably best not risk it though... :-)

Golden Seal has got so expensive these days, that it has really priced it out of the market. It's good; but really not that good. In the UK it is priced at nearly £200 a kilo, compared to £10-15 a kilo for the average herb. Berberis vulgaris (Barberry), which compares favourably in terms of antimicrobial activity is a good substitute for a fraction of the price.

Golden Seal is still a fantastic herbal supplement with a great track record.