Golden Seal

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In 1860, Golden seal was declared an official drug in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.  Golden Seal is helpful as a bitter tonic to tone mucous membranes, especially for gastric disturbances, cases of difficult or painful digestion and in nose bleeds or other cases of hemorrhages and bleeding, such as from the pelvic tissue.  It is also an excellent herb for cleansing the eye and in treating conjunctivitis. 

Golden seal is also known to improve the appetite and assist digestion by stimulating the production of bile.  It has also been found favorable in cases of stomach ulcers and, in general, aid to the nervous system. 

In the numerous combinations, Golden seal is used for its bitter astringent alkaloids that normalize liver and spleen functions by increasing the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, particularly bile.  The compounds are antiseptic, constrict peripheral blood vessels, are laxative and relieve pain and inflammation in mucosal tissue.   

Golden seal is a source of trace minerals including cobalt, iron, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc.  It is also a source of vitamin C.